Abstract: An embodiment provides a ballast water treatment system, including: a ballast pump; a backwash pump, wherein an outflow of the backwash pump is mechanically coupled to an outlet of the ballast pump; a treatment unit, wherein the treatment unit is located fluidly between the ballast pump and the backwash pump; wherein the ballast water treatment system has at least two modes, comprising: a ballast mode, wherein, during the ballast mode, the ballast pump pumps water through the ballast treatment system to a ballast tank, and a de-ballast mode, wherein, during the de-ballast mode, the backwash pump conveys backwash water to an outlet of the ballast pump. Other aspects are described and claimed.

Abstract: There is disclosed a fluid filter device. The fluid filter device comprises: a primary filter section having a first porous section; and a secondary filter section having second porous section; wherein: (i) the primary filter section and the secondary filter section are in fluid communication with one another, and (ii) the first porous section has a greater porosity than the second porous section. There is also disclosed a fluid isolation device for isolation an exterior fluid from a surface of an enclosure containing interior fluid. The device comprises a sleeve element movable between: (i) a retracted portion in which exterior fluid contacts the surface of the enclosure, and (ii) an extended position in which exterior fluid is isolated from contacting the surface of the enclosure. A distal portion of the sleeve element is configured to actuate a backwash element configured to backwash the interior fluid from the enclosure when the sleeve element is in the extended position.

Abstract: There is disclosed a fluid filter device. The fluid filter device comprises: a primary filter section having a first porous section; and a secondary filter section having second porous section; wherein: (i) the primary filter section and the secondary filter section are in fluid communication with one another, and (ii) the first porous section has a greater porosity than the second porous section. There is also disclosed a fluid isolation device for isolation an exterior fluid from a surface of an enclosure containing interior fluid. The device comprises a sleeve element movable between: (i) a retracted portion in which exterior fluid contacts the surface of the enclosure, and (ii) an extended position in which exterior fluid is isolated from contacting the surface of the enclosure. A distal portion of the sleeve element is configured to actuate a backwash element configured to backwash the interior fluid from the enclosure when the sleeve element is in the extended position.

Abstract: A filter for removing particles from a feed liquid. The filter includes a filtration material having a metal oxide composition selected to provide the material with an affinity for the particles of the feed liquid. The affinity of the material is dependent upon a pH of the feed liquid.

Abstract: A water treatment apparatus and method for softening "problem water". The apparatus includes a pair of treatment tank assemblies, each tank including serially connected filter and ion exchange beds. When a tank assembly requires regeneration, the tank assembly is taken off line and is regenerated using a regenerating apparatus that communicates a mixture of citric acid and brine solution to the ion exchange bed, followed by brine solution alone to form a barrier. A mixture of sodium carbonate and brine solution is then communicated to the ion exchange bed followed by a backwashing step which conveys treated water through both the ion exchange bed and the filter media in a counter flow direction. The regeneration apparatus includes a brine venturi and a chemical draw venturi connected in a parallel flow relationship and solenoid control valves for selectively communicating either a citric acid reservoir or a sodium carbonate reservoir to the chemical draw venturi.