Abstract: An apparatus and techniques for automatic self-washing of a clothes washing machine are provided. The clothes washing machine includes one or more storage tanks, and a user interface, wherein the user interface enables a user to schedule an automatic recurring self-cleaning wash cycle. The techniques include enabling the washing machine to automatically run the self-cleaning wash cycle according to schedule, wherein enabling the washing machine to automatically run the self-cleaning wash cycle comprises automatically dispensing an amount of self-cleaning additive from one of the one or more storage tanks into the cycle.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed herein for enhancing interoperability of a plant. Such systems and methods include a carbon emission, capture, transport, and usage model. The carbon emission, capture, transport, and usage model is capable of modeling interrelationships of inputs, outputs, and requirements between a carbon emitting plant, the carbon capture process, a carbon transportation system, and a carbon usage system. The carbon emitting plant is capable of producing a product having a carbonaceous substance. The carbon capture process is capable of capturing at least a portion of the carbonaceous substance from the product as a carbonaceous gas. The carbon transportation system is capable of transporting the carbonaceous gas from the carbon capture process to the carbon usage system. The carbon usage system is capable of receiving the carbonaceous gas transported by the carbon transportation system.

Abstract: An appliance using water including an incoming water valve is provided. The appliance includes a sensor disposed in-line to an incoming flow of water received from the incoming water valve and is configured to sense a degree of hardness in the incoming flow of water. The sensor includes a sensing element disposed on a substrate. The sensing element includes a sensing matrix, an indicator for one or more chemical species in flow of water, and a selectivity component that reacts reversibly with one or more chemical species in the water. The sensor also includes a light source configured to direct light through the substrate and the sensing matrix. The sensor further includes a light detector configured to receive transmitted light from the substrate and the sensing matrix and to generate a signal representative of selective wavelengths of the light indicative of one or more chemical species in flow of water.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for removing contaminants from a solvent based cleaning fluid. An article cleaning apparatus comprises an ultrafiltration filter having a pore size of about 0.01 microns to about 0.2 microns. A method for performing a solvent based cleaning process using an article cleaning apparatus comprises passing a solvent based cleaning fluid through an ultrafiltration filter having a having a pore size of about 0.01 microns to about 0.2 microns.

Abstract: A filter for removing soluble and insoluble lead from water supplied by a water source includes a first filter medium configured to adsorb soluble lead to facilitate removing soluble lead from the water. A second filter medium is operatively coupled in series with the first filter medium and configured to facilitate physically removing insoluble colloidal lead from the water.

Abstract: A pitcher filter cartridge for removing contaminants from water includes a housing defining a chamber. The housing further defines at least one inlet opening and at least one outlet opening. A first adsorption medium is contained within the chamber and configured to facilitate removing insoluble colloidal lead from the water.

Abstract: A filter for removing soluble and insoluble lead from water supplied by a water source includes at least one charged filter medium configured to facilitate removing at least one of soluble lead and insoluble colloidal lead from the water.

Abstract: An appliance using water including an incoming water valve is provided. The appliance also includes a sensor disposed in-line to an incoming flow of water received from the incoming water valve and is configured to sense a degree of hardness in the incoming flow of water. The sensor includes a substrate and a sensing element disposed on the substrate. The sensing element includes a sensing matrix, an indicator for one or more chemical species in a flow of water, and a selectivity component that reacts reversibly with the one or more chemical species in the water. The sensor also includes a light source configured to direct light through the substrate and the sensing matrix. The sensor further includes a light detector configured to receive transmitted light from the substrate and the sensing matrix and to generate a signal representative of selective wavelengths of the light indicative of the one or more chemical species in the flow of water.

Abstract: A method and system for decreasing the concentration of at least one metal in an aqueous solution. The metal may be molybdenum, tungsten, or both. An aqueous solution is introduced into at least one reaction zone, and at least one source of hydroxide ions is provided into the at least one reaction zone in an amount sufficient to precipitate at least some of the mass of the at least one metal. The aqueous solution includes a mass of the at least one metal and a mass of at least one reducing agent. The at least one reducing agent includes at least ferrous iron from at least one source of the at least one reducing agent. A composition of tungsten ferrite or molybdenum tungsten ferrite may be formed. The method may be used for purifying water, for the refining of metals, or to facilitate a chemical analytical determination.

Abstract: System and method for purifying and recycling spent brine in a water softener are provided. The system may be made up of a cation exchange resin tank fluidly coupled for passing spent brine comprising monovalent and divalent ions. A fluid mixer valve is coupled to the resin tank and to a water tank to dilute the spent brine to a desired concentration of a regenerant salt, e.g., NaCl. An ion-separation device is fluidly coupled to the fluid mixer valve to receive the diluted spent brine and separate the diluted spent brine into first and second streams. The first of the streams comprises monovalent ions and the second of the streams comprises divalent ions.

Abstract: Regeneration controller and method for controlling regeneration of a water softener are provided. The controller includes a water meter configured to output a signal indicative of the volume of influent water received by the water softener. A water-hardness indicator, such as a conductivity meter or ion-selective electrode, is configured to output a signal indicative of a degree of hardness of the influent water. A processor is coupled to receive the respective signals from the water meter and the hardness indicator. The processor is further configured to calculate a value indicative of the total level of hardness removed by the water softener. A comparator is coupled to receive a signal indicative of the quantity of resin capacity of the water softener. The comparator is further configured to receive the value indicative of total hardness to issue a regeneration command based on comparing the resin capacity relative to the value of total hardness.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for reducing the amount of hydrogen sulfide in the effluent of a water heater. A water heater of the present invention comprises an aeration device comprising a pump connected to a tube connected to an air sparging unit. The water heater may further comprise a programmable thermostat capable of controlling the temperature of the water in the water heater. The method of the present invention comprises the step of periodically or constantly passing a plurality of air bubbles through the water contained in a water heater. The method may further comprise the step of heating the water in the water heater.

Abstract: A unitary water filter assembly and method for removing all microbiological and multiple types of chemical contaminants from water used in an appliance for human consumption are provided. The filter assembly includes a first filter stage fluidly coupled to receive influent water for filtering chemical contaminants therein. A second filter stage is fluidly coupled to the first filter stage for filtering microbiological organisms therein. The filter assembly allows removal of all microorganisms such as cysts, bacteria, bacterial spores and viruses, from the drinking water. The filter assembly may also be configured to remove chemicals, such as chlorine, including associated taste and odor with such chemicals, particulates, and metal contaminants from drinking water. The filter assembly may be further configured to remove volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and other organic and inorganic contaminants from drinking water.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for reducing the amount of hydrogen sulfide in the effluent of a water heater. A water heater of the present invention comprises an aeration device comprising a pump connected to a tube connected to an air sparging unit. The water heater may further comprise a programmable thermostat capable of controlling the temperature of the water in the water heater. The method of the present invention comprises the step of periodically or constantly passing a plurality of air bubbles through the water contained in a water heater. The method may further comprise the step of heating the water in the water heater.

Abstract: Regeneration controller and method for controlling regeneration of a water softener are provided. The controller includes a water meter configured to output a signal indicative of the volume of influent water received by the water softener. A water-hardness indicator, such as a conductivity meter or ion-selective electrode, is configured to output a signal indicative of a degree of hardness of the influent water. A processor is coupled to receive the respective signals from the water meter and the hardness indicator. The processor is further configured to calculate a value indicative of the total level of hardness removed by the water softener. A comparator is coupled to receive a signal indicative of the quantity of resin capacity of the water softener. The comparator is further configured to receive the value indicative of total hardness to issue a regeneration command based on comparing the resin capacity relative to the value of total hardness.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for determining water usage for industrial facilities and residences. One method communicates with a communications network and acquires water usage information. The water usage information is acquired in real time. The method reports water usage based upon the acquired water usage information. Another embodiment acquires water usage information over a communications network. This embodiment acquires real time water usage information over the communications network at a computer. The water usage information is associated with water use of an industrial facility. The embodiment may then display the real time water usage information via a user interface on the computer.