The present invention relates to a method of immobilizing aqueous waste, including low level nuclear waste, by converting the waste to a solid. Solidification is accomplished with the addition of a compound having the formula Me(II)O or Me(II)(OH).sub.2 in combination with compounds of the general formula Me(II)O.R.sub.2O.sub.3, R.sub.2O.sub.3, R(OH).sub.3 or ROOH, where Me is a cation selected from the group consisting of Ca, Ba, Sr, Mn, and Zn, and R is selected from the group consisting of Al...

A method for the degradation of methyl-tertiary-butyl-ether (MTBE) and tertiary-butanol (TBA) using a mixture of Pseudomonas putida is described. The method enables almost complete remediation of MTBE and TBA in situ in contaminated water and/or soil.

Compositions and methods for destroying biological agents such as toxins and bacteria are provided wherein the substance to be destroyed is contacted with finely divided metal oxide or hydroxide nanocrystals. In various embodiments, the metal oxide or metal hydroxide nanocrystals have reactive atoms stabilized on their surfaces, species adsorbed on their surfaces, or are coated with a second metal oxide. The desired metal oxide or metal hydroxide nanocrystals can be pressed into pellets for use ...

Chloropentafluoroethane is an efficient and economic fire extinguishing agent for total flooding systems.

Compositions are disclosed which form tough, durable, rapidly-forming and spreading films on the surface of hydrocarbon liquids comprising in combination a water-soluble fluoroaliphatic surfactant and a water-soluble synthetic imputrescible hydrocarbon-congruous organic fluorine-free surfactant and water. The films formed by these compositions are especially effective in suppressing the vaporization of hydrocarbon liquids into the air and are, therefore, useful for extinguishing liquid hydrocarb...

Methods for oxidizing organic compounds using hydroxyl radicals formed through redox cycling chelator-mediated Fenton chemistry are disclosed. The methods include generating a reactive oxygen species by contacting a redox cycling chelator with an oxygen containing oxidant and a transition metal species. By contacting the resulting reactive oxygen species with an organic compound, the organic compound is oxidized. The preferred transition metal species is a cationic transition metal, such as iron...

A method of microbially deactivating items and storing the same, comprising the steps of: a) placing items within a cavity in a sealable container having fluid access ports therein, the fluid access ports having a normally closed position and being moveable to an open position; b) placing the container having items to be microbially deactivated in the cavity into a reprocessor having a circulation system for circulating a microbial deactivation fluid during a deactivation cycle, wherein the flui...

A process for the low temperature, non-incineration decontamination of contaminated materials, such as chemical weapon components containing residual quantities of chemical warfare agents. The process includes the steps of (a) contacting the contaminated materials with steam at substantially ambient pressure in a substantially dry first heated vessel for a period of at least about 15 minutes, the steam being at a temperature of at least about 560.degree. C., (b) removing condensible and non-cond...

Powdered fire-extinguishing agents based on ammonium phosphates and substantially containing ammonium polyphosphates with a degree of condensation higher than 50.

A quilted fabric containing high surface area carbon fibers is made by uniting a central layer of flexible activated carbon fibers between a pair of outer layers of reinforcing fabric, positioned on each side of the layer of activated flexible carbon fibers, with a network of quilting stitching. The quilted fabric thus made is useful for fabricating protective clothing or gas masks for use by personnel who must enter areas which may contain noxious gases, or for face masks for combatting the air...