Bechtel Group, Inc.

The United States of America As Represented by the United States

Bechtel Corporation

Arcanum Corporation

August D Benz

Horst Huettenhain

Leon Awerbuch

Jack Z Abrams

John A Getsoian

Stanley J Zaczek

John Haidinger

John D Gorrell

Mukund K Venkatachari

James F Cullinane

Randall Soo-Hoo

A structure for the destruction of dangerous materials is described which has a destruction location, which may be a pit below ground level. The destruction pit contains the dangerous materials. At least one durable, sealed membrane is present beneath at least a portion of the destruction pit. An overburden mound of soil is provided above the destruction pit; and at least one shaped explosive charge placed adjacent the dangerous materials capable of subjecting the dangerous materials to crushing detonation forces and high heat for a period of time. After detonation of the explosive charge to destroy the dangerous materials and their containers, such as by pyrolysis, the destruction pit is remediated by removal of the waste products. The methods and structures of the In-Situ Implosion (ISI) process can be used in an Engineered ISI embodiment where dangerous materials are brought to a previously prepared site, or in a Direct ISI embodiment where it is too dangerous to move the materials through the public area immediately around their location, and the materials are prepared according to the method and structures of the invention. After destruction of hazardous materials and removal of hazardous residues from the pit, the ISI structure may be re-used or the pit area may be restored.

In-situ implosion for destruction of dangerous materials

A method and apparatus for removing light hydrocarbons, such as heptane, from coal agglomerates includes an enclosed chamber having a substantially horizontal perforate surface therein. The coal agglomerates are introduced into a water bath within the chamber. The agglomerates are advanced over the surface while steam is substantially continuously introduced through the surface into the water bath. Steam heats the water and causes volatilization of the light hydrocarbons, which may be collected from the overhead of the chamber. The resulting agglomerates may be collected at the opposite end from the surface and subjected to final draining processes prior to transportation or use.

Method for recovering light hydrocarbons from coal agglomerates

A process for preparing coal for use as a fuel. Forming a coal-water slurry having solid coal particles with a particle size not exceeding about 80 microns, transferring the coal-water slurry to a solid bowl centrifuge, and operating same to classify the ground coal-water slurry to provide a centrate containing solid particles with a particle size distribution of from about 5 microns to about 20 microns and a centrifuge cake of solids having a particle size distribution of from about 10 microns to about 80 microns. The classifer cake is reground and mixed with fresh feed to the solid bowl centrifuge for additional classification.

Process for selective grinding of coal

Apparatus and method for handling geothermal brine containing high non-condensible gas concentrations. The brine is directed into a pre-flash chamber where a vapor fraction is separated from a liquid fraction, the vapor fraction including steam and a non-condensible gas. The vapor fraction is directed into and through a reboiler in countercurrent flow relationship to a condensate. This action causes the steam of the vapor fraction to be stripped from the non-condensible gas and also causes the condensate to be heated by the steam. The non-condensible gas flows out of the reboiler to a gas expander collection station, or to the atmosphere while the condensate flows to a first flash chamber where it flashes to obtain clean steam for driving a first work producing apparatus, such as a turbine. The condensate from the first flash chamber is partially returned by a pump to a condensate inlet of the reboiler to form a closed system. The remainder of the condensate from the first flash chamber is directed to a second flash chamber where it flashes to form clean steam for driving a second work producing apparatus. The condensate from the second flash chamber is directed to another inlet of the reboiler.

Geothermal reboiler apparatus and method

Efficient removal of sulfur dioxide from a flue gas stream is achieved in a scrubber using a recirculating aqueous stream containing magnesium hydroxide and magnesium sulfite which together act as SO.sub.2 absorbents. Magnesium sulfite is derived from magnesium hydroxide, which is the product of a reaction between soluble magnesium from the seawater and calcium hydroxide added to the scrubbing system. Magnesium sulfite and bisulfite are oxidized to magnesium sulfate by the introduction of air. Magnesium sulfate is converted back to magnesium hydroxide by reaction with additional calcium hydroxide, with gypsum as a by-product. Gypsum is soluble in large amounts of seawater and may be returned to the ocean without adverse environmental impact.

Use of seawater in flue gas desulfurization

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Hillsborough, CA, United States of America

August D Benz