Abstract: An automatically skimmable tank for removing oil from water. A water inlet with a 90 degree elbow that is turned sideways and points slight upward causes flow to first impinge on the wall of the tank then flow upward helically around the tank's internal diameter (ID) to maximize retention time so that oil separates from the water. At the tank's upper fluid level, the water flows to the center of the tank, then spirals downward to the bottom and under the incoming fluid flow before exiting via the water outlet. Oil is removed from the tank via an upwardly extending oil outlet riser provided with two horizontal anti-vortex plates. A level transmitter senses the oil-gas and the oil-water interfaces and a programmed PLC activates an oil valve and a low shear oil transfer pump to remove oil from the tank when the oil layer surrounds the anti-vortex plates.

Abstract: A well (18) is mounted on an extension (12) of a brine tank (10) in a water softener system. The extension (12) can be molded integrally with the brine tank (10), or separate from the brine tank (10) and mounted thereto by fasteners (24). The extension (12) extends above the horizontal plane (14) at the upper edge (16) of the brine tank (10) and the well (18) is mounted to the extension (12) above the horizontal plane (14). A riser (20) is mounted to the extension (12) for external connection and extends into the well (18). All necessary connections to components in the well (18) are made through the extension (12) above the horizontal plane (14) so that no passages need be made through the wall (22) of the brine tank (10). Also, the upper end of the well (18) is above the horizontal plane (14) to facilitate servicing.

Abstract: A method and system for separating multicomponent fluids into components having different buoyancies. A flow shaping member has a helical channel that imparts a helical motion to the fluid, and a separation chamber for separating the moving fluid into a helically moving heavier flow portion and a more buoyant portion along the central axis. A flow receiving member has a first collection horn with a mouth arranged to collect the higher buoyancy fluid and direct the fluid to an outlet. At least one other fluid passageway for carrying lower buoyancy fluid has an inlet surrounding of the collection horn, and directs the fluid to a separate outlet at an end of the separator. Additional collection horns can be arranged concentrically around the first collection horn to collect intermediate buoyancy flows. Cascaded fluid separators can concentrate the higher buoyancy fluid or the denser fluid.

Abstract: A pressure filtration system for cleaning residual quenching water of a gasifying device that gasifies carbon-containing fuels under elevated pressure is provided. The soot water from the quencher is passed to a filter system, which has pressure filter chambers operating alternately in filtering mode under gasifying pressure or in cleaning mode. The filtrate from these chambers is passed to a quenching water reservoir, from which the quencher is fed with quenching water. Only small temperature and pressure losses with respect to the residual quenching water leaving, and only a small additional amount of energy has to be expended to overcome the remaining pressure difference to bring the filtrate that is to be returned back to the gasifying pressure. The residual quenching water is cleaned substantially under gasifying pressure in a pressure filter, avoids flash evaporation of the residual quenching water into the vacuum area, with vapour cooling and a subsequent increase in pressure and reheating.

Abstract: A dialysis machine that includes a valve member having a deformable area configured to deform outwardly away when pressurized fluid is introduced into the valve member. The valve member is configured so that, when a dialysis fluid cassette is disposed in a cassette compartment of the dialysis machine and pressurized fluid is introduced into the valve member, the deformable area obstructs a fluid channel of the dialysis fluid cassette to control dialysis fluid flow therethrough.

Abstract: A dialysis service box for centralized control and plumbing arrangement of a dialysis machine is disclosed. The dialysis service box includes a plumbing arrangement having a supply inlet for supplying a fluid to the dialysis machine, a backflow preventer for preventing retrograde flow through the plumbing arrangement, a trap primer for maintaining a trap seal designed to prevent waste gases from flowing into the dialysis service box and a waste connection for allowing waste from the dialysis machine to exit. The dialysis service box can be universally installed to operate, control and adjust any dialysis machine that requires supply connection, waste connection, backflow preventer and trap primer, or any combination of the foregoing.

Abstract: A system for dispensing water treatment compositions into a pool, spa, or other body of water is disclosed, which system provides a visible cue that the water treatment is properly dispersing and also provides a visible cue when the desired amount of water treatment has been dispensed. The system comprises a dispenser and the water treatment composition contained within the body of the dispenser, which dispenser and which system provides a readily visual cue that when the water treatment dose has been fully, or in some cases mostly or partially dispersed. For example, the dispenser sinks when fully dosed and resurfaces when empty, and in particular embodiments the water treatment generates visible gas bubbles and/or a color stream as the treatment dissolves.

Abstract: A mechanical separator for separating a fluid sample into first and second phases within a collection container is disclosed. The mechanical separator may have a separator body having a through-hole defined therein, with the through-hole adapted for allowing fluid to pass therethrough. The separator body includes a float, having a first density, and a ballast, having a second density greater than the first density. A portion of the float is connected to a portion of the ballast. Optionally, the float may include a first extended tab adjacent a first opening of the through-hole and a second extended tab adjacent the second opening of the through-hole. In certain configurations, the separator body also includes an extended tab band disposed about an outer surface of the float. The separator body may also include an engagement band circumferentially disposed about at least a portion of the separator body.

Abstract: An apparatus for a switchable filter assembly includes a first conduit coupled to a second and a third conduit, where a liquid has the ability to flow through the first conduit to the second conduit and the third conduit, and where the second conduit and the third conduit are arranged in parallel. A first assembly is capable of sliding inside the first conduit, such that a position of the first assembly determines an amount of liquid flowing to the third conduit. The first assembly includes a compressible member coupled to a first structure, where the first structure prevents the liquid from passing through the first conduit to the third conduit. An amount of compression of the compressible member coupled to the first structure is dependent on a pressure of the liquid flowing from the first conduit to the second conduit.

Abstract: An additive dispensing system for a refrigerator that includes a reservoir configured to contain an additive and an additive outlet in fluid communication with the reservoir. The additive dispensing system is configured to be connected to a refrigerator and is operable to selectively dispense an amount of additive to water dispensed from the refrigerator. The additive dispensing system may be connected to a water filtration system of the refrigerator such that the additive dispensing system may dispense the amount of additive into filtered water dispensed from the refrigerator.

Abstract: A high throughput, positive pressure, gravity operated dewatering system for hydraulic fluids, lubricating fluids, and petroleum based fluids comprises a gravity operated dewatering chamber receiving the industrial fluid and a source of positive pressure drying air coupled to the dewatering chamber.

Abstract: An extracorporeal blood treatment device is disclosed. The device includes a blood treatment unit connected to an extracorporeal blood circuit, a waste liquid discharge line for evacuating waste treatment liquid from the blood treatment unit, and a collecting container for collecting waste treatment liquid evacuated via the waste liquid discharge line. The collecting container is removably connected to the waste liquid discharge line via a one way valve. A collecting container for a device is also disclosed. The container includes a waste fluid input line, wherein a one way valve is arranged in the waste fluid input line.

Abstract: A water filtration housing containing a pressure vessel configured to receive a water filter cartridge; a ring enclosure attachable to an open, top end of the housing enclosure; an interface tower including a user interface; a lid assembly removably attachable to the ring enclosure, the lid assembly including (i) a pressure cap and gasket for maintaining a given pressure in said pressure vessel and (ii) a rotatable lever for disengaging the pressure cap from the pressure vessel thereby releasing pressure therein. A mating system between the lid assembly and ring enclosure prevents the lid assembly from being attached to the ring enclosure in a misaligned fashion. RFID technology may be used for identifying the water filter cartridge installed therein and wireless communication technology (e.g., Wi-Fi) to transmit collected system data (e.g., water usage) to a central location for analysis such that the customer is provided with, for example, operational suggestions.

Abstract: A normal flow filtration system having a housing with one or more filters contained within a bowl and attached to the outlet of the system. Liquid enters the bowl, contacts the surfaces of the one or more filters. Impurities are trapped in the filter and the filtered liquid flows through to the outlet. Parameter(s) such as flow rate, transmembrane pressure drop and/or time are measured and when met, filtration ceases. A backflushing occurs through the filter(s) so as to remove the impurities from the filter. This backwashed material is directed to an outlet of the bowl that is connected to a drain. Additionally a port formed in the side of the housing adjacent an outer surface of the filter(s) can be used to provide a lateral washing of the filter(s). The system is then recirculated in a downstream manner to reestablish equilibrium and filtration is then restarted.

Abstract: A water treatment system having modular-filter based residential reverse osmosis (RO) system that passes a stream of purified water through an ultraviolet light (UV) filter twice to ensure the water is sterile, while using only one UV filter, thereby forcing the water through a UV filter twice in a modular-filter based RO system. The water treatment system also includes a system whereby water passes through the UV filter at both points using only one UV filter by employing a system whereby a purified water stream is passed through a single remineralization module twice. The present invention also includes the method for treating water through such double forced sterilization system.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present disclosure include a water purification system for producing purified water from a body of water. The water purification system may include a floating platform having a ramp extending from an edge thereof at a downward angle into the body of water, a primary impoundment area extending from a top portion of the ramp onto the floating platform, a pair of sub-impoundment areas attached to an end of the primary impoundment area distal from the ramp, at least one hydraulic cylinder and at least one accumulator attached to the sub-impoundment areas, and a nanofiltration system operatively attached to the at least one hydraulic accumulator. Water may be configured to flow from the body of water onto the ramp and through the system, exiting the nanofiltration system as purified water.

Abstract: The present inventions relate to water and wastewater treatment devices including stationary cloth filter media support structures which support structures also form the effluent plenum for the filtered influent.

Abstract: A sanitizing system for water treatment in appliances that use or that have an associated water cycle where sanitization of the water in the water cycle is beneficial. The system comprises a controller, a biocide, and a biocide injection subsystem, wherein the controller provides a signal to the injection subsystem to release a biocide into a water reservoir contained within the appliance, and further wherein the signal provided by the controller is in response to a signal received by the controller from the appliance.

Abstract: A device for filtering ballast water which performs filtering by installing a filter element having a conical shape in a concentric circle direction inside the device for filtering ballast water that accommodates a filter portion, and introducing ballast water from a lower end of the device for filtering and passing same through the filter element inside the device for filtering, and for discharging backwash water containing foreign substances that are inside a filter by ways of differential pressure, which is created by a driving portion communicating with a filter element by rotating an aspiration portion that is located on the lower end of the device for filtering. In particular, the present invention relates to a candle-type device for filtering ballast water, wherein the driving portion is positioned on a lower portion of the housing so that more filter elements can be accommodated inside the housing.

Abstract: A separation system including a control unit, a first pump connected to the control unit, and a first valve in fluid communication with the first pump and connected to the control unit. Also, a first density meter in fluid communication with the first valve and connected to the control unit. The system further includes a separator in fluid communication with the density meter and connected to the control unit and a tank in fluid communication with the separator. The system also includes a second pump in fluid communication with the tank and connected to the control unit, as well as a second density meter in fluid communication with the second pump and connected to the control unit and a second valve in fluid communication with the second density meter and connected to the control unit.