Abstract: Examples provide a system for watering plants on a rack. A robotic device attaches to a portion of the rack and pulls or pushes the rack to a watering zone. A sprinkler device sprays water to evenly distribute water across all plants on the rack. The system determines quantity of water, duration of watering, and frequency of watering based on real-time sensor data and context data associated with the environment, historical watering data, condition of the plants on the rack and a set of customized maintenance rules based on the type of plants on the rack. When watering is complete, the robotic device returns the rack to a designated location and detaches from the rack. The robotic device then attaches to another rack having plants on it scheduled for watering. The watering schedule is updated dynamically based on changing weather and plant state.

Abstract: A tankless water heater including a water inlet, a water outlet, a conductivity sensor, a temperature sensor, and a heating chamber connected to the water inlet and the water outlet wherein the heating chamber is configured to heat a flow of water received from the water inlet and output the flow of water to the water outlet. The water heating system can further include a controller communicably coupled to the conductivity sensor and the temperature sensor, where the controller calculates an adjusted conductivity of a flow of water through the water heater.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a system may treat blood outside the body of a patient. The system may include one or more pumps configured to pump blood in a fluid flow path at a collective rate over 4 liters per minute. The system may include one or more heat exchangers operable to heat at least a portion of the blood to a temperature of at least 42 degrees Celsius and to allow the blood to cool one or more degrees following heating. The system may include one or more albumin dialysis modules configured to perform albumin dialysis on at least a portion of the blood at least after the one or more heat exchangers allow the blood to cool one or more degrees.

Abstract: A valve group (10) is housed in a duct (40) of a support body (4) of an oil filtering assembly or a temperature management assembly. The valve group (10) is provided with a valve body (11) fixed to the support body (4), an obturator (15) fitted axially movably on the valve body (11) and obturator positioner and mover (18). The obturator (15) is movable by the obturator positioner and mover (18) as a function of the oil temperature values respectively in a first, a second and a third operating configuration, in which the oil is cooled, heated, for example by a heat exchanger, or sent directly to the filtering device. The obturator (15) is movable by the obturator positioner and mover (18) as a function of the oil pressure values directly to the filtering device, preventing oil access to the heat exchanger.

Abstract: A method for a water bottle comprising, coupling a cap to bottle housing such that an interior of the water bottle and the cap form a water-tight region, receiving a button push on the cap, determining with a light sensor whether visible light is present in a vicinity of a UV LED light source disposed within the cap, in response to the push of the button, initiating providing with a UV LED light source UV light to the interior in response to the push of the button and in response to absence of the visible light within the vicinity of the UV LED light source, and inhibiting providing with the UV light to the interior after a period of time after the initiating providing UV light to the interior or in response to determining the visible light being present in the vicinity of the UV LED light source.

Abstract: A hardness reduction filter is provided. The hardness reduction filter may include a filter housing having a space formed therein, a filter provided in the space of the filter housing to filter out foreign materials from water flowing into the filter housing, and hardness reduction catalysts provided between the filter housing and the filter and configured to perform at least one of removing a hard water material contained in the water or preventing formation of a scale inducing material in the water flowing into the filter housing.

Abstract: A vacuum drawer for vacuuming food comprises a vacuum chamber (20) which can be closed in an airtight manner by a cover (21) which can be actuated and an installation unit (40) to which a vacuum pump can be connected. To be able to generate an external vacuum, the vacuum drawer comprises a connector part (41) which is releasably connectable to the installation unit (40) (FIG. 2).

Abstract: A method associated with a system having a medical device that consumes energy during operation and an additional energy consumer is directed to optimizing energy consumption. The method includes providing a treatment plan information, which predetermines a temporal sequence for using the medical device, providing interaction information, which predetermines an interaction between the use of the medical device and the additional energy consumer, and providing control information for actuating the additional energy consumer based on the treatment plan information and the interaction information, so as to optimize the energy consumption of the system.

Abstract: A tank for storing oil includes a suction strainer with first and second filtration portions. The first filtration portion has a substantially cylindrical shape and formed by bending a thin plate into a pleated shape. The second filtration portion is provided on the outer side of the first filtration portion. The second filtration portion has a substantially cylindrical shape and is formed of a material having a plurality of spaces formed in a surface and interior of the material.

Abstract: A device, method, and processor-readable medium for water quality detection and diversion are disclosed. Water entering a building's plumbing system is tested for impurities before it routes for consumption. Impurities in the water could include bacteria, viruses, chemicals, toxins, fertilizers, minerals, biological weapons, radioactive materials, and radioactive waste. Sensors are located throughout the device to check for impurities in the water as it travels through the building's plumbing. Certain sensors decide how to route the water through various treatments within the device. Treatments to the impure water could include multi-level filtration and heating/cooling cycles for a prescribed time period to reduce impurities below an EPA-approved threshold. If the water still retains impurities after treatment in the device, the device can decide to divert the water out of the building to prevent consumption and illness to building occupants.

Abstract: A system for water purification having a water inlet being distributed into a plurality of streams defining extended dielectric barrier layers with high surface area to volume ratios and a plasma disposed between at least a pair of the plurality of water streams forming a surface plasma attachment producing radicals that treat the water via diffusion.

Abstract: A fuel supply apparatus for an internal combustion engine has a fuel tank installed on the vehicle width outer side of a side frame and a fuel filter, which is disposed in a fuel supply passage for supplying fuel stored in the fuel tank to an internal combustion engine and which has a drain cock and a visual check part. The fuel filter is installed, vertically penetrating the fuel tank.

Abstract: A heat exchanger that includes a membrane of graphene oxide is disclosed, as is a heat exchange system employing such a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger permits the use of water from non-traditional sources, such as waste water, brackish and sea water, in a cooling loop. Clean water and sensible heat permeate through the membrane, simultaneously cooling and purifying water in the cooling loop.

Abstract: Systems and methods for measuring analytes (e.g., potassium) under hot plasma conditions of ICP analysis systems (e.g., ICP-MS, ICP-AES, etc.) are described, where a membrane desolvation unit and nitrogen flow gas are included to reduce Argon interferences. A system embodiment includes a heated spray chamber configured to receive a liquid sample and a sample gas to aerosolize the liquid sample; a first condenser coupled to the heated spray chamber; a second condenser coupled to the first condenser; a heated membrane coupled to the second condenser; and a gas introduction component coupled to the heated membrane to receive a flow of gas and to combine the flow of gas with a dried sample aerosol leaving the heated membrane, wherein the flow of gas is introduced at a rate of approximately 2.67 percent to approximately 20 percent of a flow rate of the sample gas.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved process for treating high sulphate waters. In particular, the present invention relates to an improved process by which ettringite is used to treat high sulphate waste waters by controlled precipitation of sulphate and metal ions.

Abstract: Described herein are attached growth reactor systems which increase nitrifying bacteria biomass through a variety of means during warm weather. As a consequence, the attached growth reactor system contains sufficient nitrifying bacteria biomass to remove ammonia from wastewater in cold to moderate climates. In one example, there are two attached growth reactors into which wastewater is distributed discontinuously. Specifically, wastewater is transferred to the first attached growth reactor for a first period of time and then is transferred to the second attached growth reactor for a second period of time during warm weather which effectively doubles the nitrifying bacteria biomass in the system. During cold weather, approximately half of the wastewater is applied to each reactor simultaneously.

Abstract: A drinking water supply device may include a filtered water pipe, a flow rate sensor, a water supply pipe, a mineral supply pipe provided with a mineral supply valve, a mineral cartridge configured to connect to the mineral supply pipe, a mineral mixer configured to connect to the water supply pipe and the mineral supply pipe and configured to allow mixing of the minerals from the mineral supply pipe with the filtered water in the water supply pipe, a pump, a discharge pipe configured to connect to the mineral mixer and the water supply pipe, and a controller configured to control an output voltage of the pump in order to adjust an amount of minerals that are supplied to the water supply pipe based on a flow rate sensed by the flow rate sensor.

Abstract: A thermal system for use in a column manager of a liquid chromatography system comprises a plurality of spatially separated individually controlled thermoelectric chips. A column module houses a plurality of thermally conductive troughs. Each trough resides in a separate thermal zone to be thermally conditioned individually by one of the individually controlled thermoelectric chips. Each trough is adapted to hold one or more liquid chromatography columns therein. A plurality of spatially separated thermal bridges includes a first thermal bridge thermally coupling one of the thermoelectric chips to a first one of the plurality of troughs and a second thermal bridge of the plurality of thermal bridges thermally coupling another of the thermoelectric chips to a second one of the plurality of troughs.

Abstract: A drinking water supply device may comprise a mineral water supply module comprising a mineral cartridge to store condensed minerals, a mineral supply pipe provided with a micro channel to supply minerals to a water supply pipe, a mineral cartridge receiver detachably coupled to the mineral cartridge and connected to the mineral supply pipe, a mineral supply valve to open and close the mineral supply pipe, and a discharge pipe to discharge filtered water or mineral water. A method of cleaning a drinking water supply device may comprise of discharging residual minerals using a mineral drainage unit including a drainage pipe connected to the mineral supply pipe and a drainage valve to open and close the drainage pipe, supplying cleaning water to a channel in which minerals or mineral water flow of the mineral water supply module, and supplying rinsing water to the channel.

Abstract: An on-board fuel separation system includes a supply fuel tank configured to store an input fuel stream; a fuel separator fluidly coupled to the supply fuel tank and configured to separate the input fuel stream into a first fractional fuel stream and a second fractional fuel stream. The fuel separator includes a membrane that includes a plurality of pores sized based on a molecular size of one or more components of the first fractional fuel stream. The system includes a first fractional fuel tank fluidly coupled to the fuel separator to receive the first fractional fuel stream passed through the membrane and defined by a first auto-ignition characteristic value. The system includes a second fractional fuel stream coupled to the fuel separator to receive the second fractional fuel stream from the fuel separator that is defined by a second auto-ignition characteristic value that is different than the first auto-ignition characteristic value.

Abstract: A transportable multi-chamber water filtration system useable at construction sites with sources of contaminated water is disclosed. The transportable multi-chamber water filtration system removes sediment and contaminants from contaminated water by combined processes of gravitational settling, filtration and coagulation of sediment by the use of flocculants. The system provides efficient removal of sediment and contaminants from the water around various sized sites.

Abstract: A fuel filter, in particular diesel fuel filter (10), of an internal combustion engine, in particular of a motor vehicle, and a heating sensor module (72) are described. A filter housing (14) has at least one inlet for the fuel to be cleaned and at least one outlet (32) for the cleaned fuel. A filter element (36) is arranged in the inner chamber (20) of the filter housing (14) in such a manner that it separates the at least one inlet from the at least one outlet (32). At least one heating unit (106) for heating the fuel, at least one temperature sensor (110) for detecting a temperature of the fuel and at least one water level sensor (90) for detecting a water level of water separated from the fuel in a water collection chamber (22) are integrated in the heating sensor module (72).

Abstract: The present invention relates to apparatus, methods, and applications for treating wastewater collection systems contaminated with fats, oils and grease (FOG), such as wet wells, transfer or lift stations, or main sewer lines, and more particularly to biological processes for removing the FOG from wastewater. This invention further relates to apparatus and methods for growing microbes on-site at a wastewater treatment facility or FOG-contaminated wastewater collection system location, and for economically inoculating sufficient microbes to solve various treatment problems rapidly.

Abstract: Hydrocarbon-containing feedstocks are processed to produce useful intermediates or products, such as fuels. For example, systems are described that can process a petroleum-containing feedstock, such as oil sands, oil shale, tar sands, and other naturally-occurring and synthetic materials that include both hydrocarbon components and solid matter, to obtain a useful intermediate or product.

Abstract: Reaction casing (1) for a photosynthetic reactor suitable for cultivating photosynthetic microorganisms, in particular algae, said reaction casing (1) being designed for both floating on an expanse of water and defining a path for a gas/liquid culture medium to flow in two phases between a first and a second opening (11, 12) of said casing. The casing comprises, on the one hand, an upper membrane (31) and a lower membrane (32) made at least partially of a flexible material, hermetically sealed and transparent to light radiation, said membranes being hermetically connected to one another by connecting lines (41, 42) defining inflatable cells (33, 34) and, on the other hand, connection elbows (35, 36) joining said cells in pairs to define the course of flow in a generally sinuous form, one of the cells (33) being fluidly linked to the first opening and another cell (34) being fluidly linked to the second opening (12).

Abstract: To heat a flowing liquid, an apparatus includes a heater block assembly having a heater block made of thermally conductive material. The heater block assembly has a tube inlet, a tube outlet, and a tube path between the tube inlet and tube outlet. Tubing extends through the tube path from the tube inlet to the tube outlet. The tubing is in thermal communication with the heater block. A heater cartridge, in thermal communication with the heater block, is configured to provide heat to the heater block for transfer to liquid flowing through the tubing between the tube inlet and the tube outlet of the heater block assembly. Circuitry is in electrical communication with the heater cartridge to control a temperature of the heater block by controlling operation of the heater cartridge.

Abstract: A water purifier system includes a base unit and a filter unit detachably connected to the base unit. The base unit is provided with a water inlet tube for guiding water to the filter unit and with a water outlet tube for guiding purified water from the filter unit. The filter unit includes a container surrounding a replaceable filter element and covered by a removable lid. The container is provided with a water inlet member for guiding unfiltered water from the water inlet tube into the container. The replaceable filter element is provided with a water outlet member for guiding purified water from the filter element to the water outlet tube of the base unit. The water outlet member extends through an opening in the removable lid that covers the container.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed towards regulating flow rate in an espresso machine, during a multi-phase brewing process which includes a pre-brew and an extraction phase. During the pre-brew phase, coffee grounds are slowly pre-wetted and/or out-gassed with a first volume of water delivered at a first flow rate. During the extraction phase, a second volume of water is delivered, at a second flow rate, to extract espresso, where the second volume is delivered at a generally greater pressure than the first volume. The second flow rate is greater than the first flow rate. The flow rates, volumes, and pressures are regulated by the espresso machine, which includes a flow rate regulation assembly that includes first and second flow paths and first and second valves. Baristas may vary the flow rate, volume, and pressure of water throughout the brewing process by opening, closing, or otherwise adjusting at least one of the valves.

Abstract: A fryer pot for a deep fryer having a pair of opposed sidewalls, a pair of opposed end walls and a bottom wall. Each of the pair of opposed sidewalls has three successive vertical portions. Wherein each of the three successive vertical portions of each of the pair of opposed sidewalls is inboard of a preceding vertical portion to thereby taper the fryer pot towards the bottom wall. A fryer pot for a deep fryer having a pair of opposed endwalls and a pair of opposed sidewalls and a bottom wall. Each of the pair of opposed endwalls has a first vertical portion and a second vertical portion that are each connected by an angled offset portion to decrease a volume of the fryer pot.

Abstract: A fluid filter apparatus comprising an upper housing shell; a lower housing shell; a pleat pack element comprising a peripheral frame and a folded pleated media. The frame is at least partially molded over the media to secure the media in the frame, and the media comprises two or more types of media of different densities from each other. A flow control element is disposed for changing the proportion of flow between the first media and the second media responsive to changes in at least one of temperature, pressure, flow rate and/or viscosity of the fluid.

Abstract: A filtering system is provided that includes at least one temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of a filter cartridge. The temperature measurements can used to determine whether the filter cartridge is at an increased risk of suffering a leak due to a crack of other material failure caused by exposure to certain temperatures. More than one temperature sensor may be used. The temperature measurements can also be used to determine whether one or more corrective actions should be taken such as e.g., providing a notification to a user and/or shutting of a flow of fluid to the filter cartridge.

Abstract: A method of measuring and controlling a temperature distribution at a member is disclosed. A probe is placed proximate the member. The probe has a plurality of longitudinally-spaced reflective elements. An ultrasonic pulse is generated at a selected location of the probe so as to propagate along the probe. Reflected pulses are received at the selected location from the plurality of longitudinally-spaced reflective elements. The distribution of temperature at the member is determined from the reflected pulses. The determined distribution of temperature may be used in controlling the temperature of the member. The member may be a solid or fluid.

Abstract: A filter device is provided with a housing and an absorption material received in the housing. The absorption material absorbs and stores a water fraction of a liquid being passed through the absorption material. A bypass is arranged in the housing so that the absorption material can be bypassed. A throttling device correlated with the bypass controls flow through the bypass. The throttling device is a passive throttling element or an adjustable valve.

Abstract: Systems, apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture provide for resuspending and/or collecting blood and/or other types of cells in solution. In one embodiment, cells may be recovered from used surgical sponges and/or other types of surgical articles.

Abstract: A seawater desalination system 10A includes a heat exchanging unit for heating feed seawater to a reverse osmosis membrane system using at least one or more of thermal discharge, exhaust gas, and steam generated through a gas engine and heating medium used in a heat pump system, and a reverse osmosis membrane system, provided in the downstream of the heat exchanging unit, for separating the feed seawater to the reverse osmosis membrane system into permeate and concentrate. The seawater desalination system according to the present invention is allowed to produce the permeate in economical and stable manners, even in such marine conditions as lower seawater temperature, by performing efficient heating and control of seawater.

Abstract: Blood treatment/dialysis systems are disclosed. The systems include a water treatment unit, preferably of the reverse osmosis type, whose outlet has connected thereto a water supply line provided with a number of branch connections having fluidly coupled thereto blood treatment/dialysis machines in a selective manner, and a drain line through which exhausted blood treatment fluid can be discharged from fluidly coupled blood treatment/dialysis machines. Also disclosed is a machine-external heat exchanger, which is connected to the water supply line upstream of the branch connections on one side and to the drain line on the other side.

Abstract: Dialysis systems including a water treatment unit preferably of the osmosis type, a drain line, and a heat exchanger are disclosed. A water supply line is connected to an outlet of the water treatment unit. The water supply line includes branch connections to which dialyzers are selectively fluid-coupled. Used-up dialysis fluid can be discharged from fluid-coupled dialyzers through the drain line. The heat exchanger, which is external to the dialyzers, connected on one side to the water supply line directly upstream of the branch connections and on the other side to the drain line.

Abstract: A water treatment sensor includes a housing having a bottom with an exterior surface in contact with a flow path of a fluid and an interior surface. First and second probes spaced from one another extend from the exterior surface and into the flow path. A first circuit electrically connects the first and second probes and determines a conductivity from a measured resistivity between the probes. First and second temperature sensors are spaced from one another and are coupled to the interior surface. The first sensor determines a temperature of the fluid. A temperature elevated by a heat source and determined by the second sensor is maintained above the temperature of the fluid. A second circuit determines a flow rate of the fluid based on adjustments to the heat source. Communication circuitry communicates the conductivity, the temperature, and the flow rate of the fluid to a controller.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for desolvating flowing liquid streams while retaining temporal resolution of dissolved substrates are disclosed. A novel small-scale self-regulating spray dryer preserves temporal resolution while desolvating a liquid chromatography eluent stream and depositing the solute onto an optical surface for infrared spectrographic analysis. The liquid eluent is pumped through a heated nebulizer to create a high-speed jet of solute containing liquid and solvent vapor. This jet is directed circumferentially inside a hot cylindrical cavity. Centrifugal force causes the larger liquid droplets to travel along the outer diameter of the cavity. The cavity surface is heated to cause the droplets to film boil. Film boiling reduces droplet contact with the cavity surface thereby retaining the solute in the droplets. The solute temperature is limited by controlling the pressure into which the solvent evaporates from the droplets.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for treatment of a sulphide-containing spent caustic via chemical conversion of the sulphides, wherein the method is comprised of the following steps: introducing the spent caustic into a reaction chamber (18) that is comprised of at least one acoustic power converter (22) and one cavitation element (20), treating the spent caustic with ultrasound from the at least one acoustic power converter (22), feeding a gas mixture containing ozone into the reaction chamber and distributing the gas mixture containing ozone in the spent caustic using the cavitation element (20), wherein the sulphide-containing spent caustic is converted with the gas mixture containing ozone, forming non-sulphide-bearing, inorganic sulphur compounds.

Abstract: The present invention includes a dehydration method comprising the steps of providing a distilled process-target fluid to a water separation membrane device via a heat exchanger; separating the process-target fluid into a dehydrated product and water by using the water separation membrane device; detecting a temperature of any one of the water separation membrane device and the process-target fluid supplied to the water separation membrane device by using a temperature monitoring device; and controlling the temperature of the process-target fluid so that the temperature of the distilled process-target fluid being maintained at a temperature higher than the condensation temperature of the distillate by 5 to 10° C. by using a temperature adjustment device provided in the water separation membrane device.

Abstract: A self-bypassing filter system for a fluid reservoir. The system includes a filter disposed within the reservoir, positioned to intercept the fluid flow proceeding out of the reservoir. A bypass fluid flow path extending from upstream to downstream of the filter, without passing through the filter. In addition, the system includes a membrane, positioned to completely block the bypass fluid flow path upstream of the filter, the membrane being formed of a material dissolvable in the fluid.

Abstract: Biosolids in the nature of sewage sludge are processed in a controlled environment to produce a dried sludge product of relatively high dry solid content with the elimination of or reduced levels of pathogens. The water containing sewage sludge is dried while cascading within a processing chamber using heated air at a temperature below the ignition or smoldering temperature of the sewage sludge to prevent the formation of embers. The sewage sludge before discharge is retained within the processing chamber for a sufficient time and temperature as mandated by the Environment Protection Agency rules and guidelines.

Abstract: This invention relates to the field of water purification and desalination. In particular, embodiments of the invention relate to systems and methods of removing essentially all of a broad spectrum of impurities from water in an automated industrial process that requires minimal cleaning or maintenance during the course of several months to several years, with relatively high yields of product water per unit of input water, flexibility with respect to energy sources, compact design with a low industrial foot-print, the ability to recover valuable by-products, and ultra-low energy requirements.

Abstract: A wastewater concentrator a liquid evaporator assembly, a gas-liquid separator, an exhaust assembly, and a slurry thickening and storage system. The slurry thickening and storage system includes a slurry thickening tank fluidly connected to the gas-liquid separator and a thickened slurry storage tank fluidly connected to the slurry thickening tank.

Abstract: The present invention includes a dehydration method comprising the steps of providing a distilled process-target fluid to a water separation membrane device via a heat exchanger; separating the process-target fluid into a dehydrated product and water by using the water separation membrane device; detecting a temperature of any one of the water separation membrane device and the process-target fluid supplied to the water separation membrane device by using a temperature monitoring device; and controlling the temperature of the process-target fluid so that the temperature of the distilled process-target fluid being maintained at a temperature higher than the condensation temperature of the distillate by 5 to 10° C. by using a temperature adjustment device provided in the water separation membrane device.

Abstract: A method of preparing zirconia-containing nanoparticles and a method of preparing a composite material that includes the zirconia-containing nanoparticles are provided. A method of treating a zirconium carboxylate salt solution to remove alkali metal ions and alkaline earth ions is provided. The treated solution can be used as a feedstock to prepare the zirconia-containing nanoparticles. Additionally, a continuous hydrothermal reactor system is provided that can be used, for example, to prepare the zirconia-containing nanoparticles.

Abstract: A flow loop for hemodialysis, hemodiafiltration and hemofiltration for the treatment of pathological conditions such as End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) that has a controlled compliant flow path for preparing fluids required for a hemodialysis therapy session from water. The controlled compliant flow path modifies water into any one of a solution for priming a hemodialysis system, a physiologically compatible solution for contacting blood, a physiologically compatible solution for infusion to a subject, and a solution for blood rinse back to a subject. The controlled compliant flow path has a means for selectively metering in and metering out fluid from the flow path.

Abstract: A machine-readable medium with instructions for pumping blood from a patient's blood stream into an access line, introducing an anticoagulant solution into the pumped blood, filtering the pumped blood and delivering it to a return line, introducing a substitution fluid into the pumped blood, introducing a calcium and magnesium solution into the blood traveling through the return line, and returning the blood back to the patient's blood stream.

Abstract: Embodiments may provide a fuel filter that may include a plurality of return fuel conduits axially traversing a filter medium. Each conduit may include an inlet in fluidic communication with the fuel recirculation passage. Each conduit may have a return fuel line exit port adjacent to a distal end of the filter medium.