This is the generic class for (1) hazardous or toxic waste destruction by any means to include, heating, chemical action, or the interaction with any form of radiation; (2) permanent containment of hazardous or toxic waste by methods to include storage in a simple container, solidification,
vitrification, cementation, and more elaborate methods of storage such as marine, tetonic, or extraterrestrial storage; (3) hazardous or toxic waste conversion by any means (e.g., chemical, physical, etc.) to an environmentally safe substance; and (4) preparation for destruction or containment as well as the actual destruction or containment.
Line With Classes Producing Desired Useful Product
A process which produces a desired product for an end use, e.g., by manufacturing, chemical reaction, or purification etc., is classified with the product produced and controls over Class 588 regardless of whether or not a toxic or hazardous waste is destroyed or contained as part of the process. Class 588 provides for a process which destroys or contains hazardous or toxic waste and whose products are intended only to be safely discarded or whose production is only incidental to the destruction or containment.
Line With Method Classes
Class 588 controls over general method classes for storing or containing waste which is too hazardous or toxic to be placed in an ordinary municipal landfill.
Line With Apparatus Classes
This class does not provide for apparatus. Apparatus is classified based on its function without regard to whether or not hazardous or toxic waste is the substance acted on. Significant disclosure to processes of treating hazardous or toxic waste in apparatus patents may be cross-referenced to Class 588 as appropriate. Some exemplary classes providing for apparatus employed in the processes of this class are as follows.
Line With Other Classes That Provide for Destroying Hazardous or Toxic Waste Class 588 controls over general classes that are only incidental to the destruction or containment of hazardous or toxic waste.
NOTES TO THE CLASS DEFINITION
(1) Note. Chemical substances that move through commerce and are used or treated in some useful application are not considered to be hazardous or toxic waste. These substances may be considered hazardous or toxic waste in the event they are introduced into the environment in a manner not consistent with their intended utility.
(2) Note. Waste proper for classification in Class 588 is considered to be too hazardous or toxic for placement in an ordinary municipal landfill.
REFERENCES TO OTHER CLASSES
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS
48, Gas: Heating and Illuminating, appropriate subclass for a process directed to the production of a combustible gas from hazardous or toxic waste. ( see Line With Classes Producing Desired Useful Product.)
75, Specialized Metallurgical Processes, Compositions for Use Therein, Consolidated Metal Powder Compositions, and Loose Metal Particulate Mixtures, for processes of preparing or treating elemental metal employing hazardous or toxic waste as a raw material or agent. ( see Line With Classes Producing Desired Useful Product.)
106, Compositions: Coating or Plastic,
600+, for the production of cement using hazardous or toxic waste. ( see Line With Classes Producing Desired Useful Product.)
204, Chemistry: Electrical and Wave Energy, appropriate subclasses for the interaction of electrical and wave energy with hazardous or toxic waste. ( see Line With Classes Producing Desired Useful Product.) 208, Mineral Oils: Processes and Products,
262.1+, for processes of removing halogen contaminants, e.g., PCB's from mineral oils. ( see Line With Classes Producing Desired Useful Product.)
210, Liquid Purification or Separation, provides for the purification of water (liquids) as useful product even though hazardous or toxic waste may be removed from or destroyed in the water (liquids). ( see Line With Classes Producing Desired Useful Product.)
252, Compositions,
625+, for compositions that contain radioactive hazardous or toxic waste. ( see Line With Classes Producing Desired Useful Product.)
422, Chemical Apparatus and Process Disinfecting, Deodorizing, Preserving, or Sterilizing,
1+, for processes of destruction of hazardous or toxic material, such as noxious micro-organisms, by disinfecting or sterilizing, when a desired useful product or article results (i.e., not a waste), and not elsewhere provided for. (see Line With Classes Producing Desired Useful Product.)
423, Chemistry of Inorganic Compounds, appropriate subclasses for recovering inorganic elements or compounds from hazardous or toxic waste. ( see Line With Classes Producing Desired Useful Product.)
532, Organic Compounds, appropriate subclasses for the production of useful products from hazardous or toxic waste. ( see Line With Classes Producing Desired Useful Product.)
935, Genetic Engineering: Recombinant DNA Technology, Hybrid or Fused Cell Technology and Related Manipulations of Nucleic Acids, for the method of use of genetically engineered cells in the destruction of hazardous or toxic waste, e.g., oil spill cleanup, etc., note
59,. For the use of cells containing a vector and or exogenous gene, per se, propagation thereof; other membrane encapsulated DNA, e.g., protoplast, etc., see subclasses 66+. ( see Line With Classes Producing Desired Useful Product.) 976, Nuclear Technology, for the production of nuclear fuel and the assemblies of the fuel into reactors. ( see Line With Classes Producing Desired Useful Product.)
34, Drying and Gas or Vapor Contact With Solids, for separation of liquid hazardous or toxic waste from solids and the process of using gases or vapors to contact solids for the removal of hazardous or toxic waste, see
1, 42. ( see Line With Method Classes.)
75, Specialized Metallurgical Processes, Compositions for Use Therein, Consolidated Metal Powder Compositions, and Loose Metal Particulate Mixtures,
507+, for the methods of adding hazardous or toxic waste to melting or molten iron and subclasses 585+ for methods of adding hazardous or toxic waste to nonferrous metals at above 300 deg.C. (see Line With Method Classes.)
86, Ammunition and Explosive-Charge Making,
50, for process of bomb disposal. (see Line With Method Classes.)
203, Distillation: Processes, Separatory, appropriate subclasses for separating a liquid mixture with one or more component being hazardous or toxic waste and
95+, for the additional use of water or steam in the separation. (see Line With Method Classes.)
204, Chemistry: Electrical and Wave Energy, appropriate subclass for processes using electrical and wave energy not involving hazardous or toxic waste. (see Line With Method Classes.)
210, Liquid Purification or Separation, provides for the methods used to purify water (liquids) even though hazardous or toxic waste may be removed from or destroyed in the water (liquids). For the destruction, per se, of hazardous or
toxic waste, refer to Class 588, even when liquids (water) are involved, and when no liquid product (water) is recovered. (see Line With Method Classes.) 405, Hydraulic and Earth Engineering,
128+, for the process of disposing hazardous or toxic waste in the soil. (see Line With Method Classes.)
422, Chemical Apparatus and Process Disinfecting, Deodorizing, Preserving, or Sterilizing,
1+, for processes of sterilizing wastes not considered hazardous or toxic in the sense of Class 588, such as household garbage or waste. Class 588 provides for conversion (e.g., disinfection or sterilization) of hazardous or toxic waste to make such wastes into an environmentally safe substance. For example, sterilization of medical or dental waste to render such waste safe for landfill disposal is proper for Class 588, subclasses 215+. (see Line With Method Classes.)
935, Genetic Engineering: Recombinant DNA Technology, Hybrid or Fused Cell Technology and Related Manipulations of Nucleic Acids, appropriate subclasses for the methods used in producing altered organisms which can be used in the treatment of hazardous or toxic waste. (see Line With Method Classes.)
976, Nuclear Technology, for the methods used in the production of nuclear fuel, manufacturing of nuclear reactors, and nuclear technology in general. (see Line With Method Classes.)
86, Ammunition and Explosive-Charge Making,
50, for apparatus used in bomb disposal. (see Line With Apparatus Classes.)
110, Furnaces,
235+, for apparatus used in the incineration of hazardous or toxic waste. (see Line With Apparatus Classes.)
196, Mineral Oils: Apparatus, appropriate subclasses for the apparatus used in the treating of hazardous or toxic waste. (see Line With Apparatus Classes.)
202, Distillation: Apparatus, appropriate subclasses for apparatus used in the treating of hazardous or toxic waste. (see Line With Apparatus Classes.) 204, Chemistry: Electrical and Wave Energy,
193+, for apparatus used in the treatment of hazardous or toxic waste. (see Line With Apparatus Classes.)
261, Gas and Liquid Contact Apparatus, appropriate subclasses for apparatus used in the treatment of gas or liquid hazardous or toxic waste. (see Line With Apparatus Classes.)
266, Metallurgical Apparatus,
200+, for apparatus useful in treating molten or melting metal with hazardous or toxic waste. (see Line With Apparatus Classes.)
373, Industrial Electrical Heating Furnaces, appropriate subclasses for electric heating furnaces used in the treatment of hazardous or toxic waste. (see Line With Apparatus Classes.)
405, Hydraulic and Earth Engineering,
128+, for the apparatus used in the storing of hazardous or toxic waste in the earth. (see Line With Apparatus Classes.)
422, Chemical Apparatus and Process Disinfecting, Deodorizing, Preserving, or Sterilizing, for apparatus acting on hazardous or toxic waste for disinfection or sterilization thereof. See
243+, particularly subclasses 292+ for treating a solid article or material with a "chemical" in a liquid, gaseous, or vapor state (e.g., steam sterilizers, steam is considered a "chemical" also when it disinfects, sterilizes, deodorizes, or preserves, since steam so used appears to have a function more than mere heating) wherein the article or material is recovered essentially unchanged from the treatment (a "chemical" is defined as a substance which has a function beyond that of another class, per se, e.g., drying, heating, cleaning, etc.; a recitation that a substance disinfects, sterilizes, deodorizes, or preserves will cause the substance to be considered a "chemical" unless accompanied by positive disclosure that the disinfecting, sterilizing, deodorizing, or preserving is done only by a function provided for elsewhere; e.g., heating, etc.), and subclasses 307+ for heat treating vessel with heating means, not elsewhere provided for. (see Line With Apparatus Classes.)
935, Genetic Engineering: Recombinant DNA Technology, Hybrid or Fused Cell Technology and Related Manipulations of Nucleic Acids, 85+, for apparatus used in the genetic engineering of cells for use in treating hazardous or toxic waste. (see Line With Apparatus Classes.)
976, Nuclear Technology, for the production of nuclear reactors, associated apparatus, and arrangements thereof. (seeLine With Apparatus Classes.)
252, Compositions,
625+, for products (compositions) that contain radioactive hazardous or toxic waste. Class 252 also provides for containment of radioactive waste. (see Line With Other Classes That Provide for Destroying Hazardous or Toxic Waste.)
423, Chemistry of Inorganic Compounds,
210+, for the modifying or removing of a component of normally gaseous mixture containing hazardous or toxic waste. (see Line With Other Classes That Provide for Destroying Hazardous or Toxic Waste.)
435, Chemistry: Molecular Biology and Microbiology,
262.5, for the methods of making micro-organisms, per se, and the methods of using the micro-organisms in the treatment of hazardous or toxic waste. (see Line With Other Classes That Provide for Destroying Hazardous or Toxic Waste.)
GLOSSARY:
Terms used throughout the schedule and definitions are to have the meaning ascribed below. Generally accepted or commonly used "art" terms retain their meaning found in their everyday usage and are not found in this glossary. Certain specialized terms are employed in these subclasses and they have been given definitions altered to meet the needs of this class. Some or all of the terms may be broader or more restricted as well as different in meaning compared to normal usage.
ALKALI METALS The metal elements in group I of the periodic system consisting of Li, Na, K, Rb, and Cs.
ALKALINE EARTH METALS
The metal elements in group II of the periodic system consisting of Mg, Ca, Sr, and Ba.
CATALYST
A substance which either increases or decreases the speed of a chemical reaction.
CHALCOGEN
Also known as chalcogenides, specifically O, S, Se, or Te.
COMPOSITION
A mixture of material(s) such as elements, compounds, etc. which materials are not present in a ratio of small whole
numbers based on molar ratios, i.e., mixtures.
COMPOUND
A substance whose molecules consist of unlike atoms, whose constituents cannot be separated by physical means, whose properties are entirely different from those of its constituent elements, and which contains definite proportions of its constituent elements, depending on their atomic weights. CONTAINMENT
To hold or enclose totally to prevent any leaching or leaking of the hazardous or toxic material into the environment, and any use of a container that is destroyed with the waste.
CONTAMINATE
To make a first substance impure (hazardous or toxic) by contact with or by the addition of a second or more substances.
DESTROYING
To convert the hazardous or toxic waste to an environmentally safe substance to include the steps used to prepare the waste for destruction as well as the actual destruction.
ENCAPSULATING
To immobilize hazardous or toxic waste materials by any means to include vitrification, combining with organoclay and mixing, adding a cement material, or enclosing in a container the hazardous or toxic waste material. The hazardous or toxic waste material is held in place and is not permitted to be leached or leaked out into the environment.
ENVIRONMENTALLY SAFE SUBSTANCE
Is any material that in any of its chemical or physical interactions with the environment results in no measurable adverse effects or degradations on the environment.
HALOGENS
The elements (F, Cl, Br, I, or At). HAZARDOUS WASTE
Materials that when present in the environment produce for man and other living organisms an acute and/or cumulative effect that is a dangerous, risky, or perilous environmental situation in so far as the physiological well being of the organism is concerned (e.g., caustic chemicals, irritants, cancer causing agents, and other tumor producing materials).
HEAVY METAL
A metal other than the following (light) metals, lithium (Li), sodium (Na), Potassium (K), Rubidium (Rb), Cesium (Cs), Francium (Fr), Calcium (Ca), Strontium (Sr), Barium (Ba), Beryllium (Be), Magnesium (Mg), and Aluminum (Al).
IMMOBILIZE
To contain the hazardous or toxic waste by any means that keeps the hazardous or toxic waste in a matrix or container such as cement, organoclay, glass, or in an actual physical container.
NOBLE GASES
The elements of the periodic table that consist of He, Ar, Kr, Xe, and Rn which have no valency and combine only with great difficulty, if at all, with other elements.
INCINERATE
To burn to highly oxidized ashes. The oxidation is chemically near completion.
LEACHING The processes of extracting or dissolving a soluble component from a mixture by contacting the mixture with a solvent, resulting in dissolution or solution of the solubles and leaving an insoluble material. Note. Solution of a substance in a normally solid, molten material is not considered to be leaching as defined above.
ORGANIC COMPOUND
A compound as defined in the definition of Class 260, Chemistry of Carbon Compounds as qualified by (34) Note.
ORGANIC METAL CONTAINING COMPOUND
Any carbon containing compound as defined by the definition of Class 260, in which the carbon compound contains a metal.
RADIOACTIVE
Any element capable of giving off rays or subatomic particles by spontaneous disintegration. The radioactive elements are usually those having an atomic number of 84 or greater and the phenomenon of radioactivity is not affected by chemical or physical influences or matter adulterated by radioactivity.
RARE EARTHS
The compounds of the elements found on the periodic chart at atomic numbers 21, 39, or 57-71 inclusive.
SORPTION
The ability of a substance to undergo a surface reaction that causes that substance to be able to retain other substances, these other substances are generally gases, liquids, or dissolved materials. SLUDGE
Residue (usually viscous) from an industrial, home, or agricultural process commonly containing heavy metals, sulfur compounds, phosphorus compounds, nitrogen compounds, and halogenated compounds any of which may be organic, however these specific compounds are not required.
TOXIC WASTE
Materials that are direct physiological poisons to living organisms (e.g., pesticides, heavy metal ion solutions, and other organic and inorganic materials) that are poisonous to life.
VOLATILIZING
Converting a normally solid or liquid material into a gas or vapor state; mere evaporation of water or other solvents is included under this definition.