Abstract:
A process for preparing a composite product from an intake material incorporating commercial, municipal or industrial waste containing organic, plastic and fibrous material includes first granulating and sizing the material. The material is then heated in three consecutive phases, first at a temperature sufficient to achieve an internal temperature within the material of about 215.degree. to 250.degree. F., then at a temperature sufficient to achieve an internal temperature within the material of about 250.degree. to 320.degree. F. and then at a temperature sufficient to achieve an internal temperature within the material of about 320.degree. to 400.degree. F., wherein said material is continuously mixed during said heat phases. The material may then be co-extruded with a reinforcement structure and forced into vacuum profile dies to form a product or compression molded to form a product and cooled.
Abstract:
Optical apparatus for scanning radiation over a surface includes a plurality of angularly spaced rotating arms extending from a central axis. A central reflector is positioned at the axis of the arms and a radially remote reflector is positioned on each arm for folding an optical radiation path toward the object to be scanned. The central reflector rotates with the arms but is sequentially indexed into optical path alignment with each radially remote reflector so that a beam of radiation in the optical path is scanned over the same predetermined arcuate segment by each of the remote reflectors.
Abstract:
A method for treating infectious organic waste material such as dewatered sewage sludge, mixed organic wastes and animal waste. The method includes mixing the infectious organic waste material with a comminuted organic fibrous material to provide a reaction mixture. An oxidizing agent is an optional additive. The reaction mixture is heated in a hyperbaric reactor vessel at an elevated pressure and temperature for a time sufficient to create saturated steam and to produce a substantially denatured product containing inactivated pathogenic agents. The denatured product is dehydrated to produce a free-flowing solid product that may be used in various agricultural, industrial or commercial applications. Odor is controlled so that malodorous compounds are not released to the atmosphere.
Abstract:
A method for producing a hydrolyzed, sterile, denatured product from infectious organic waste material includes (a) introducing, into a reactor capable of being heated and pressurized, infectious organic waste material to form a reaction mixture; (b) subjecting the reaction mixture to saturated steam at a temperature and pressure within the reactor for a duration of time sufficient to thermally hydrolyze and denature the reaction mixture into a denatured slurry; and (c) alternatively (1) anaerobically digesting the denatured slurry, or (2) fractionating the denatured slurry based on molecular weight, density and size into at least two hydrolyzed, sterile, denatured products. The resulting hydrolyzed, sterile products have safe and valuable nutritional properties and may be used in a wide range of commercial, agricultural, and industrial products or processes.
Abstract:
A method for producing a hydrolyzed, sterile, denatured product from infectious organic waste material includes (a) introducing, into a reactor capable of being heated and pressurized, infectious organic waste material to form a reaction mixture; (b) subjecting the reaction mixture to saturated steam at a temperature and pressure within the reactor for a duration of time sufficient to thermally hydrolyze and denature the reaction mixture into a denatured slurry; and (c) alternatively (1) anaerobically digesting the denatured slurry, or (2) fractionating the denatured slurry based on molecular weight, density and size into at least two hydrolyzed, sterile, denatured products. The resulting hydrolyzed, sterile products have safe and valuable nutritional properties and may be used in a wide range of commercial, agricultural, and industrial products or processes.
Abstract:
Waste materials containing pathogenic microorganisms may be processed by a method that includes granulating the waste material; treating the granulated waste material by heating at a temperature of about 160.degree. to about 200.degree. C. at a pressure of about 90 to about 226 psi in an atmosphere of the steam from a non-isotonic salt solution. The treatment is conducted for a period of time sufficient to substantially reduce the amount of pathogenic microorganisms present in the waste material. After treatment, the material is separated into useful solid and liquid phases.
Abstract:
A front-loading reusable picture frame is constructed of two nesting components. A rigid rectangular outer framework has first and second walls which define a forwardly facing seating and confining structure. A rectangular inner framework is formed by discrete side members having a continuously inwardly open channel for receiving a stack of framed elements whereby the side members may circumscribe the stack to bind its components. The inner framework seats within the outer framework and is confined therein.