Abstract: A method for generating a key stream according to an embodiment includes generating r round keys that are each N-dimensional integer vectors including elements of an integer set defined based on a prime number t, based on a random bit string, an encryption counter, and a secret key that is an N-dimensional integer vector consisting of elements of the integer set , generating a first round output vector x1 by performing a modular addition operation on an initial vector and a first round key RK1 of the r round keys with the prime number t as a modulus, and generating a key stream that is an N-dimensional integer vector consisting of elements of the integer set from the first round output vector x1 by using a second to r-th round keys of the r round keys, and one or more first round functions and a second round function.

Abstract: An appliance, system, and method for operating an appliance and determining presence of water softener at water provided to an appliance is provided. The system is configured to obtain a first water hardness value; obtain a second water hardness value based on a location of the appliance; determine a ratio of the first water hardness value and the second water hardness value; compare the ratio of the first water hardness value and the second water hardness value to a threshold limit; transmit a first water hardness signal when the threshold limit is exceeded, wherein the first water hardness signal corresponds to the first water hardness value; transmit, to the database storage device, a second water hardness signal when the ratio is within the threshold limit; and adjust operation of the appliance based on whether the first water hardness signal or the second water hardness signal is transmitted.

Abstract: An appliance, system, and method for operating an appliance is provided. The appliance, system, and method include performing a wash cycle and draining wash water from the wash chamber, flowing a quantity of water to a wash chamber, determining a water hardness value based on a water conductivity measurement and a temperature measurement, and draining the quantity of water from the wash chamber.

Abstract: A dryer appliance and a method of operating a dryer appliance are provided. The dryer includes a drum defining a drying chamber rotatably mounted within a cabinet, an additive dispensing assembly to provide a dryer additive to the drying chamber, and a controller for initiating a drying operation. The controller obtains washer operating parameters from a washing machine, determines a drying operation based on the received parameters, initiates a dry cycle, and directs a dryer additive to be dispensed based on the dryer operating schedule.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing a secondary battery includes: an index table configured to receive a secondary battery cell, the secondary battery cell including an electrode assembly, a can accommodating the electrode assembly, and an electrode tab between the electrode assembly and the can to electrically connect the electrode assembly to the can; a laser scanner configured to irradiate laser onto an outer surface of the can to weld the electrode tab to the can; and a controller configured to variably control the laser scanner according to an operation of the index table.

Abstract: A method of operating a washing machine appliance includes measuring a humidity value with the humidity sensor and comparing the measured humidity value to an expected humidity value. The method also includes flagging a fault in response to the measured humidity value differing from the expected humidity value by at least a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: Biocide can be controllably added to a feed stream for a membrane. The membrane can separate the feed stream into a purified permeate stream and a concentrate stream containing contaminants from the feed stream. In some examples, a charge neutral biocide is introduced into the feed stream at a first addition rate. The concentration of the charge neutral biocide in the permeate stream is measured to provide a measured concentration of the charge neutral biocide in the permeate stream. The addition rate of the charge neutral biocide can be adjusted based on the measured concentration of the charge neutral biocide in the permeate stream to introduce charge neutral biocide into the feed stream at a second addition rate different than the first addition rate.

Abstract: A fluorometric monitoring technique can be used to rapidly evaluate the efficiency of an osmosis membrane. In some examples, the technique includes injecting a bolus of fluorescent tracer into a feed stream. The tracer may be introduced for a period of time less than what is required for the tracer to reach an equilibrium concentration in the permeate stream. The feed stream and the permeate stream may be fluorometrically analyzed to determine a flow rate-independent cumulative-time concentration of the fluorescent tracer in the both streams. The efficiency of the osmosis membrane can then be determined based on these flow rate-independent cumulative-time concentrations.

Abstract: Biocide can be controllably added to a feed stream for a membrane. In some examples, the feed stream is separated into a primary feed stream and a secondary feed stream, for example, with the secondary feed stream having a lower flow rate than the primary feed stream. The secondary feed stream may be used to monitor and control the addition of the biocide, which is then diluted when the secondary feed stream is combined with the primary feed stream to form a combined stream for delivery to the membrane.

Abstract: Membrane filtration systems can be used to purify liquid streams for downstream use. In practice, foulant can build-up on the surface of a membrane within a filtration system over time. The effectiveness of the filtration system will deteriorate if the fouling is not properly controlled. In some examples, a method of controlling membrane fouling in a pressurized membrane system involves supplying a feed stream that is predominately air mixed with water to the membrane. In other words, the feed stream a greater volume of air than water, even though it is the water being processed by the membrane. Supplying the pressurized membrane system with a feed stream that contains a greater volume of air than water can yield significantly better performance than supplying the membrane with a feed stream that contains a greater volume of water than air.

Abstract: Biocide can be controllably added to a feed stream for a membrane. The membrane can separate the feed stream into a purified permeate stream and a concentrate stream containing contaminants from the feed stream. In some examples, a charge neutral biocide is introduced into the feed stream at a first addition rate. The concentration of the charge neutral biocide in the permeate stream is measured to provide a measured concentration of the charge neutral biocide in the permeate stream. The addition rate of the charge neutral biocide can be adjusted based on the measured concentration of the charge neutral biocide in the permeate stream to introduce charge neutral biocide into the feed stream at a second addition rate different than the first addition rate.

Abstract: Methods of and systems for removing organic substance from condensate generated from an industrial evaporation process are provided. The condensate comprises water and the organic substance. The methods and systems provide solutions related to enthalpy recovery of industrial evaporation processes such as, for example, sugar cane juice evaporation processes, dairy evaporation processes, coffee processing evaporation processes, fruit juice evaporation processes, soup evaporation processes, and chemical industry evaporation processes.

Abstract: Biocide can be controllably added to a feed stream for a membrane. In some examples, the feed stream is separated into a primary feed stream and a secondary feed stream, for example, with the secondary feed stream having a lower flow rate than the primary feed stream. The secondary feed stream may be used to monitor and control the addition of the biocide, which is then diluted when the secondary feed stream is combined with the primary feed stream to form a combined stream for delivery to the membrane.

Abstract: A fluorometer may be used to measure ultralow concentrations of fluorescing species, such as ultralow concentrations of fluorescent tracer passing through a reverse osmosis membrane into a permeate stream. In some examples, the fluorometer may be recalibrated by resetting some but not all of the calibration parameters used to determine the concentration of fluorescent tracer in the permeate based on the measured fluorescent response of the fluorometer. For example, an intercept of a calibration curve may be reset or recalibrated for the fluorometer in situ, potentially providing significant accuracy improvements even though the fluorometer has not undergone a full recalibration.

Abstract: A fluorometric monitoring technique can be used to rapidly evaluate the efficiency of an osmosis membrane. In some examples, the technique includes injecting a bolus of fluorescent tracer into a feed stream. The tracer may be introduced for a period of time less than what is required for the tracer to reach an equilibrium concentration in the permeate stream. The feed stream and the permeate stream may be fluorometrically analyzed to determine a flow rate-independent cumulative-time concentration of the fluorescent tracer in the both streams. The efficiency of the osmosis membrane can then be determined based on these flow rate-independent cumulative-time concentrations.

Abstract: Methods of conditioning a membrane utilized for water purification are provided. The methods monitor membrane performance during water purification or membrane conditioning via fluorometric measurement. The monitoring allows for the detection of removal efficiency of the fluorescing substance. A conditioner is introduced in the feed stream to increase the detected removal efficiency of a fluorescing substance by the membrane. The conditioner generally extends the useful life of the membrane being conditioned.

Abstract: A fluorometer may be used to measure ultralow concentrations of fluorescing species, such as ultralow concentrations of fluorescent tracer passing through a reverse osmosis membrane into a permeate stream. In some examples, the fluorometer may be recalibrated by resetting some but not all of the calibration parameters used to determine the concentration of fluorescent tracer in the permeate based on the measured fluorescent response of the fluorometer. For example, an intercept of a calibration curve may be reset or recalibrated for the fluorometer in situ, potentially providing significant accuracy improvements even though the fluorometer has not undergone a full recalibration.

Abstract: Methods of and systems for removing organic substance from condensate generated from an industrial evaporation process are provided. The condensate comprises water and the organic substance. The methods and systems provide solutions related to enthalpy recovery of industrial evaporation processes such as, for example, sugar cane juice evaporation processes, dairy evaporation processes, coffee processing evaporation processes, fruit juice evaporation processes, soup evaporation processes, and chemical industry evaporation processes.

Abstract: Methods of conditioning a membrane utilized for water purification are provided. The methods monitor membrane performance during water purification or membrane conditioning via fluorometric measurement. The monitoring allows for the detection of removal efficiency of the fluorescing substance. A conditioner is introduced in the feed stream to increase the detected removal efficiency of a fluorescing substance by the membrane. The conditioner generally extends the useful life of the membrane being conditioned.

Abstract: A membrane supported bioreactor arrangement and method for anaerobic conversion of gas into liquid products including membrane modules having hollow fibers, each of the hollow fibers formed from an asymmetric membrane wall having a porous outer layer defining biopores for retaining a porous biolayer about the outer surface of the membrane wall and a less permeable hydration layer around the hollow fiber lumen; a membrane vessel for retaining the membrane modules in a process gas for formation of the biolayer on the outer surface of the hollow fiber wall by interaction of microorganisms with a process gas and for the production of a liquid product, wherein the membrane vessel retains the membrane modules in a common horizontal plane; provides a seal between contents of the membrane tank and ambient atmosphere; and includes a liquid supply conduit for communicating the process liquid with the hollow fiber lumens of the hollow fibers.