Abstract: The present invention relates to engineered cyanuric acid hydrolase enzymes that are resistant to hypochlorite and compositions and devices comprising such enzymes. The present invention also relates to methods of using these enzymes, compositions and devices for the treatment of a liquid, such as water.

Abstract: A faucet for dispensing a fluid includes a spout, a pull-out spray head removably coupled to the spout and including an outlet, and a valve assembly in fluid communication with the outlet. Additionally, the faucet includes a fluid treatment assembly configured to output a treatment into the fluid. The faucet further comprises a first flow path and a second flow path.

Abstract: A distributor plate for a resin tank of a fluid treatment device such as a water softener includes a central hub, an outer ring, a plurality of ribs extending between the hub and the ring and dividing the distributor plate into discrete segments, and a slotted plate connected therebetween. The distributor plate separates the resin bed from a lower end of the resin tank. The distributor plate further comprises at least one valve plate coupled to an underside of the distributor plate over at least one segment thereof. The valve plate is constructed from a material configured to float in the fluid being treated and is movable between a raised position during upflow and a lowered position during downflow. In this manner, the valve plate acts like a check valve to regulate the manner in which fluid flows through the distributor plate during upflow and downflow, improving resin scrubbing during upflow.

Abstract: A nozzle assembly (1) provided in a chromatography column (3), said nozzle assembly comprising a nozzle tube (21) through which chromatography media slurry is to be provided to the column (3). According to the invention said nozzle assembly (1) further comprises a pivot (39) connected in a first end (40a) to a pivot point arm (35), said pivot (39) can be pivoted into at least two different locked pivot positions and said pivot (39) being connected to the nozzle tube (21) such that a nozzle tip (25) of said nozzle tube is adjusted into at least two different locked nozzle tip positions corresponding to the at least two different locked pivot positions.

Abstract: A filter holder to be used in a chromatography column is provided. Said filter holder comprising a filter squeezing part (356) facing the filter of the column essentially in the form of a plate and a squeezing means (354) adapted to squeeze the filter squeezing part (356) against the filter (204) to prevent any leakage of particulate medium from the bed space (209) of the column in between the filter holder and the filter (204). According to the invention said filter squeezing part (356) comprises at least one channel (338), providing fluid connections through the filter squeezing part (356) from the side of the filter squeezing part (356) facing the filter (204) and to the side of the filter squeezing part (356) facing the bed space (209).

Abstract: An ion exchange apparatus includes at least one fluid passage that extends between an inlet and an outlet for transporting a fluid having ions therein. At least one cartridge includes an ion exchange material and the cartridge has an ion removal rate of removing the ions from the fluid that varies in response to a concentration of the ions in the fluid.

Abstract: A composition-of-matter for use in water treatment, composed of a water-insoluble matrix and one or more amidohydrolase, such as cyanuric acid amidohydrolase, incorporated in or on the matrix, is disclosed. Also disclosed are devices containing same and methods utilizing same for water treatment. The water treatment is effected by an enzymatically-catalyzed reduction of the concentration of an amide-containing compound, such as cyanuric acid, found in chlorinated water of swimming polls, spas and other similar structures.

Abstract: A separation device includes a separation chamber having a housing for housing a stationary phase configured for separating compounds of a fluid sample. The separation device also includes a filling port configured for filling the stationary phase through a filling channel into the separation chamber, and a locking piece comprising the filling channel. The locking piece is configured to move the filling channel from a first position, wherein an opening of the filling channel is opening into the separation chamber for filling the stationary phase into the separation chamber, to a second position, wherein the separation chamber is locked against the filling channel. The locking piece is configured to move the opening of the filling channel substantially laterally with respect to the housing.

Abstract: A preparative chromatography column is equipped with one or more valves that can each be used to both inject a column packing into the column or withdraw used packing from the column, in addition to cleaning the supply and discharge lines associated with the valve itself, all by moving a movable plug within the valve body and all without protruding into the column interior. Each valve is mounted on the lateral wall of the column just above the filter plate at the column floor, and the plug is movable between a closed position in which the end surface of the plug is flush with the inner wall of the column and an open position in which the plug is recessed within the bore. Each valve has two additional ports in its valve body, positioned such that when the plug is closed, both ports are open to the valve bore, and when the plug is open, at least one of the ports is open to the bore. The position of the plug within the valve bore determines the valve function.

Abstract: A filter unit includes a flexible bag having permeable material on a first side and a second side that allows fluid to pass through the container. Granularized rubber is enclosed within the flexible bag. The granularized rubber filters hydrocarbon products from the fluid.

Abstract: Provided is a water filtering device for a humidifier capable of increasing the filling amount of an ion exchange resin by including a separate inner cylinder having upper and lower diameters that are different from each other, increasing adsorption and removal efficiency of mineral components contained in water by taking a long ionic bonding time between the water and the ion exchange resin, and effectively preventing scales of the mineral components from being extracted by heating a heater to prevent malfunction of the heater or pipes.

Abstract: An ion exchange resin tower including a tank, a supply line, an output line, and a plurality of sampling tubes is provided. The supply line guides a liquid into the tank, such that an ion exchange occurs between the liquid and the ion exchange resin in the tank. The processed liquid is guided out of the tank via the output line. The sampling tubes are disposed on a sidewall of the tank to sample the liquid flowing through the resin.

Abstract: A water softener is composed of a cabinet of a resin bed, a brine tank, and a brine valve. The improved water softener has an outer housing having sides, a bottom, and an open top. A wall is disposed within the housing forming a brine chamber and a resin bed chamber for housing ion-exchange resin beads. Cross-contamination of the resin beads by the brine is prevented.

Abstract: A method for treating metal-working fluid comprises reducing a concentration in the metal-working fluid of at least one metal by passing the metal-working fluid through an ion-exchange filter. The at least one metal may comprise cobalt or one or more other metal(s). The ion-exchange filter may include an ion-exchange resin, and the resin may comprise a sulfonated divinyl-benzene-cross-linked polystyrene ion-exchange resin. The metal-working fluid may be recirculated through the ion-exchange filter, from a holding vessel, from a sump or reservoir, or from any other container of the metal-working fluid.

Abstract: A groundwater treatment system, which includes subterranean inlet, treatment, and outlet portions. The inlet portion is configured to collect groundwater from an aquifer. The treatment portion includes a replaceable treatment media and is configured to receive the groundwater from the inlet portion and expose the groundwater to the treatment media. The outlet portion is configured to receive groundwater from the treatment portion and expel the groundwater to the aquifer.

Abstract: An access valve suitable for controlling fluid flow into and out of a chromatography column has a central axially movable probe with a head acting as a spool valve in a barrel. Axial movement of the probe adjusts the valve between a fully open condition, in which both a first conduit extending through the probe and a second conduit defined around the probe are open to the column interior, a partly open condition in which a second sealing land on the probe closes the second conduit, and a fully closed position in which both conduits are closed. The three positions are useful for packing and unpacking chromatography media into and from the column. In the closed condition of the valve, the first and second conduits communicate with one another so that the valve interior can be cleaned while the column is operating.

Abstract: An access valve suitable for controlling fluid flow into and out of a chromatography column has a central axially movable probe with a head acting as a spool valve in a barrel. Axial movement of the probe adjusts the valve between a fully open condition, in which both a first conduit extending through the probe and a second conduit defined around the probe are open to the column interior, a partly open condition in which a second sealing land on the probe closes the second conduit, and a fully closed position in which both conduits are closed. The three positions are useful for packing and unpacking chromatography media into and from the column. In the closed condition of the valve, the first and second conduits communicate with one another so that the valve interior can be cleaned while the column is operating.

Abstract: An access valve suitable for controlling fluid flow into and out of a chromatography column has a central axially movable probe with a head acting as a spool valve in a barrel. Axial movement of the probe adjusts the valve between a fully open condition, in which bota first conduit extending through the probe and a second conduit defined around the probe are open to the column interior, a partly open condition in which a second sealing land on the probe closes the second conduit, and a fully closed position in which both conduits are closed. The three positions are useful for packing and unpacking chromatography media into and from the column. In the closed condition of the valve, the first and second conduits communicate with one another so that the valve interior can be cleaned while the column is operating.

Abstract: An access valve suitable for controlling fluid flow into and out of a chromatography column has a central axially movable probe with a head (71) acting as a spool valve in a barrel (6). Axial movement of the probe adjusts the valve between a fully open condition, in which both a first conduit (73) ending though the probe and a second conduit (51) defined around the probe are open to the column interior, a partly open condition in which a second sealing land (76) on the probe closes the second conduit (51), and a fully closed position in which both conduits are closed. The three options are useful for packing and unpacking chromatography media into and from the column. In the closed condition of the valve, the first and second conduits (73, 51) communicate with one another so that the valve interior can be cleaned while the column is operating.

Abstract: Regeneration of water treatment media is disclosed which includes a water treatment unit having one or more media therein, and which upon initiation of flow of the water, imparts turbulence and abrasion to the treatment medium to automatically cleanse the medium of light solid contaminants as well as contaminant coatings on the media. This greatly improves the operation of the media and extends its life. In addition, the water treatment unit disclosed may simply be rotated through any one of a number of positions between service, backwash, flush, off, and/or bypass operational modes for further regeneration of the treatment media.

Abstract: A chromatography column having at least one central slurry valve positioned at either the top cell assembly and/or the bottom cell assembly. The central slurry valves have a pneumatically actuated valve sleeve which can be shifted to create two different flow configurations. One flow configuration allows for the simultaneous cleaning in place of the flow path used to charge the column with chromatography media and the separate processing of fluid through the chromatography media. The other flow configuration permits the reslurrying and removal of chromatography media from the column, and the subsequent repacking of the column with fresh chromatography media without disassembling the column and the provision of venting the column in the event of overpressurization during packing.

Abstract: An access valve suitable for controlling fluid flow into and out of a chromatography column has a central axially movable probe with a head (71) acting as a spool valve in a barrel (6). Axial movement of the probe adjusts the valve between a fully open condition, in which both a first conduit (73) extending through the probe and a second conduit (51) defined around the probe are open to the column interior, a partly open condition in which a second sealing land (76) on the probe closes the second conduit (51), and a fully closed position in which both conduits are closed. The three positions are useful for packing and unpacking chromatography media into and from the column. In the closed condition of the valve, the first and second conduits (73, 51) communicate with one another so that the valve interior can be cleaned while the column is operating.

Abstract: An access valve suitable for controlling fluid flow into and out of a chromatography column has relatively movable valve elements preferably represented by a central axially movable probe with a head acting as a spool valve in a barrel. Axial movement of the probe adjusts the valve between a fully open condition, in which both a first conduit extending through the probe and a second conduit defined around the probe are open to the column interior, and a partly open condition in which a sealing component of the probe closes the second conduit. Also, further axial movement of the probe provides a fully closed position in which both conduits are closed. The partly open position is useful for packing chromatography media into its column while the third position is useful for unpacking the same. In the closed condition of the valve, the first and second conduits communicate with one another so that the valve interior can be cleaned while the column is operating.

Abstract: Continuous method for treating a liquid tar containing Q.I. solids to provide a liquid tar product having increased Q.I. concentration and, concurrently, a Q.I. free liquid tar product. The method utilizes cross-flow filter membranes.

Abstract: A water filtration system is disclosed for removing solid particulates from water, and in particular from storm water collection basins prior to passage into a storm water sewer system, comprising an ingress conduit to bring water into the system, a primary filter, a secondary filter of granular material, a primary filter carrier receptacle containing the primary filter which allows water to pass through but not the granules of the secondary filter, a collection conduit to remove the filtered water, and an access port connecting to the carrier receptacle which allows the primary filter to be removed from and returned to the carrier receptacle without disturbing the secondary filter. Preferably the system also comprises a rigid, water impermeable, closed housing. Alternatively, the housing may be constructed of a number of modular units joined together.

Abstract: A filtration system for filtering out bacteria, Giardia cysts, turbidity and other impurities in raw water supplied to a home or the like including a sealed container divided into an upper and a lower chamber by a support plate, the support plate supporting a quantity of filter material sufficient for filtering out undesired bacteria, turbidity and other impurities from the raw water; the sealed container having a raw water inlet pipe communicating with an inlet area above the filter material for supplying the raw water, and a filtered water outlet pipe communicating with the lower chamber for exhausting filtered water from the container; and further including a geofilter cloth provided on top of the filter material for supporting a biological "schmutzdecke" growth thereon which, along with the filter material, filters out bacteria, turbidity, Giardia cysts and other impurities.

Abstract: This invention provides a sterilizing water-purifying reagent for removing muddiness of water to be treated or sterilizing the water to be treated as drinking water in fields or under drinking water shortage environment, and the sterilizing water-purifying reagent comprises an acidic additive containing as main ingredients various types of metal salts and nonmetal salts produced by dissolving vermiculite weathered from mica mineral or soil further weathered from the vermiculite in aqueous inorganic acid solution.

Abstract: A disposable bed filter for removing particulate matter and/or reducing oxygen in a poured metal melt is located within a trough. The bed filter preferably comprises discrete layers of bed media located in a trough between entry and exit baffle plates. The layers of bed media include a layer of coarse media and a layer of fine media. The trough is preferably provided with a closeable lid to permit removal of the bed media and to compensate for buoyancy of the bed media if present. In its preferred use, the bed filter forms part of a process for making a metal alloy wherein the bed filter simultaneously reduces the oxygen content of the melt and filters particulate matter from the melt.

Abstract: An upflow filter usable with a home sewage treatment plant, and including a container therefor. The container comprises a dividing wall extending thereacross dividing it into first and second filtering chambers, each of which has a grating therein serving to divide each filtering chamber into top and bottom portions. Each grating is adapted to support thereon a filtering media. The container has an inlet and an outlet, with there being provided a vertical opening or passage in the dividing wall in communication with said inlet, and with such passage having lateral exit openings communicating the vertical passage with the respective filtering chamber, adjacent the bottom thereof. A well is provided in the dividing wall downstream from the vertical passage.

Abstract: An improved modular container for containing particulate material and providing a flow path for contaminated liquid to be purified. The improved modular container includes a pair of containment disks mounted within a housing frame having particulate material secured therebetween. The containment disks are formed of alternating rows of undulating elements to provide a tortuous path for liquid passing therethrough and further, to create dispersal of fluid in a direction substantially normal to the overall flow path. The containment disks are mounted between resilient sleeve members which are in themselves secured to an internal surface of the housing structure. The resilient disks include support structures for interfacing with a lower surface of each of the containment disk members in order to maintain such in plane relation during flow conditions of the liquid being purified.

Abstract: A water purification device includes a housing having a base portion and a generally-cylindrical cup-shaped cap removably secured thereto. An input fluid channel in the base portion communicates with one end of the chamber defined by the cup and an outlet fluid channel communicates with that chamber end. A filter cartridge disposed within the cap has a conduit that extends between its opposite end walls. Filter material surrounds the conduit. An inlet opening in the cartridge is positioned to communicate with the input fluid channel so as to permit water to flow through the filter material. An outlet opening in the cartridge is arranged to communicate from the filter material to the other end of the aforementioned conduit remote from said outlet channel. The conduit other end is positioned to communicate to the outlet channel. A valve is included in an extension of the base portion in order selectively to control the distribution of water as between an outlet passage and the inlet channel.

Abstract: A water refining system in which spent refining material is removed on a batch basis in small portable containers for regeneration of the material at a central processing plant. The spent material is then replaced with new or regenerated material using a plurality of the same type of portable containers. This provides an exchange type system in which the fixed refiner is of substantially greater size than is usually considered feasible for systems of this type and provides considerable flexibility in selecting the size of the refiner while permitting the use of the same portable containers for evacuating and filling the refiner.

Abstract: A modular container which includes a housing frame containing particulate material through which contaminated liquid is passed for purposes of purification. The container includes flow distribution members which are secured within the housing frame for dispersing flow of the incoming contaminated liquid equally throughout the particulate material. Containment members formed of a fibrous material are bonded to the flow distribution members to constrain the particulate material within the housing frame. The containment members are porous to permit passage of the liquid therethrough but of sufficient density to retain the particulate material within a chamber of the housing frame. Upper and lower cover members are hermetically sealed to the housing frame and include conduits to permit insertion of contaminated liquid and egress of purified liquid after it has passed through the particulate material.

Abstract: An upflow filter adapted to be used with a home sewage treatment plant which includes a container which has a wall extending thereacross to divide the container into first and second filtering chambers. First and second gratings are located in the first and second chambers respectively and serve to divide each filtering chamber into top and bottom portions and each grating has filtering media covering the same. The container has an inlet and an outlet with the outlet located at a lower level from the inlet. First liquid conduit means are connected to the wall and provides for fluid communication from the inlet to the bottom portion of each of the first and second filtering chambers. Second liquid conduit means are connected to the wall and provides for fluid communication from the top portion of each of the first and second filtering chambers to the outlet.

Abstract: An upflow filter adapted to be used with a home sewage treatment plant which includes a container which has a wall extending thereacross to divide the container into first and second filtering chambers. First and second gratings are located in the first and second chambers respectively and serve to divide each filtering chamber into top and bottom portions and each grating has filtering media covering the same. The container has an inlet and an outlet with the outlet located at a lower level from the inlet. .[.First liquid conduit means are connected to the wall and provides for fluid communication from the inlet to the bottom portions of each of the first and second filtering chambers. Second liquid.]. .Iadd.A vertical opening is cast into the dividing wall and has lateral exit portions that communicate with the bottom portions of the first and second filtering chambers. The liquid inlet communicates with this vertical opening. Liquid .Iaddend.