Abstract: A treatment system includes a feed source, a first treatment unit for separating a feed into a first product and a concentrated feed containing less than about 7% total dissolved solids, and a membrane distillation unit for separating the concentrated feed into a second product and a superconcentrated feed containing at least about 14% total dissolved solids. The membrane distillation unit includes hollow fiber membranes having inner bores for receiving the concentrated feed and membrane walls for allowing vapor transmission of distillate. A method includes delivering feed to a first treatment unit where it is separated into first product and concentrated feed streams; delivering the concentrated feed to internal bores of hollow fiber membranes where it is separated into second product and superconcentrated feed streams as vapor passes across the hollow fiber membranes; delivering the superconcentrated feed to a liquid removal unit; and collecting the first and second product streams.

Abstract: An elevator system (20) includes at least one vertical shaft (32) extending between at least two levels (24, 36) of a building (22). One of the levels (24) includes at least one passageway (28) between an interior of the building and the outside environment. At least one second shaft (40) extends between the other building level (36) and at least one other level within the building. The interior of the second shaft (40) is isolated from airflow on the building level (24) that includes the passageway (28) to the outside environment. Disclosed examples include enclosures (52) for isolating the first shaft (32) from airflow on at least one of the levels to which the first shaft provides access.