Abstract: A membrane surface monitoring system (MSM) and membrane surface monitoring cell for direct and unambiguous detection of membrane surface fouling and mineral scaling. The system includes a membrane surface monitoring system cell, a control valve, a retentate flow meter/transmitter and a controller. The MSM cell has a visually-observable membrane, an edge-lit light guide, an edge illumination light source, a retentate module, and a permeate module. A pressurized inlet stream is fed into the MSM cell. The feed contacts a membrane sheet, leading to membrane-based separation operation to produce retentate and permeate streams. The MSM cell integrates surface illumination and imaging components to allow direct real-time visualization and spectral imaging of the membrane surface in real time. The pressure on the feed-side of the MSM cells is approximately that of the membrane plant element being monitored such that the plant control system can adjust plant operating conditions.

Abstract: Copolymers polymerized from at least one or more cinchona alkaloid containing compounds; and an acrylamide containing monomer, an acrylate containing monomer, or combinations thereof. Method of forming a copolymer-genetic component complex that includes a genetic component and a copolymer where the copolymer includes one or more cinchona alkaloid containing compounds and an acrylamide containing monomer, an acrylate containing monomer, or combinations thereof. Methods of delivering a genetic component to a cell.

Abstract: A method for designing and/or controlling a filter assembly for the air supply to a turbomachine includes: calculating a current and/or an expected concentration of particles in air present at an inlet of at least one filter stage of the filter assembly as a function of a mean size of the particles; calculating a sensitivity spectrum that, depending on the mean size of the particles, indicates an extent to which a predetermined concentration of such particles has a negative effect on performance and/or on service life of the turbomachine; calculating, for at least one filter candidate usable in the filter stage and/or switchable on or off, a concentration of particles to be expected at an outlet of the filter from a concentration and filter properties of the at least one filter candidate; and calculating a quality rating from the concentration and a sensitivity spectrum.

Abstract: An embodiment provides a method for measuring total chlorine in a seawater sample, including: preparing a thiocarbamate-based indicator; introducing the thiocarbamate-based indicator to a seawater sample, wherein the seawater sample contains an amount of total chlorine; adding an additive to the seawater sample, wherein the additive accelerates the reaction rate between the thiocarbamate-based indicator and total chlorine and causes a change in fluorescence of the seawater sample; and measuring the amount of total chlorine in the seawater sample by measuring an intensity of the fluorescence. Other aspects are described and claimed.

Abstract: Method, systems and apparatuses may provide for technology that divides an application into a plurality of portions that are each associated with one or more functions of the application and determine a plurality of transition probabilities between the plurality of portions. Some technology may also receive at least a first portion of the plurality of portions, and receive a relation file indicating the plurality of transition probabilities between the plurality of portions.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of stopping larvae of sessile invertebrates in the settlement stage from swimming or crawling in water, by irradiating light comprising the spectrum of 409 to 412 nm and a part of 400 to 440 nm, to the larvae in the settlement stage.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of killing larvae of sessile invertebrates in the settlement stage in water, comprising the step of irradiating light comprising the spectrum of 409 to 412 nm, to the larvae in the settlement stage.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of suppressing larvae of barnacles in the settlement stage from settling on a substrate in water by irradiating light comprising the spectrum of 409 to 412 nm and a part of 400 to 460 nm to larvae of barnacles in the settlement stage in a direction from the substrate to the larvae of barnacles in the settlement stage.

Abstract: The present invention is a method of preventing settlement of a sessile organism on a structure in water, including irradiating light comprising the spectrum of 409 to 412 nm to the structure where settlement of the sessile organism is prevented.

Abstract: A cell washing system includes a fluid circuit, a source container, a source of wash solution, a pump, and a separator device. The system also includes a touch screen configured to receive user input and to display data to a user, and a controller coupled to the touch screen and configured to control the separator device and pump to operate a wash procedure, wherein the controller is configured to receive from the touch screen user input data for at least one protocol, the at least one protocol including values for a set of process parameters for a wash procedure, to store the at least one protocol in a memory, to receive an identifier associated with a user, to apply the at least one protocol based at least in part on the identifier, and to operate the wash procedure using the applied protocol.

Abstract: A membrane surface monitoring system (MSM) and membrane surface monitoring cell for direct and unambiguous detection of membrane surface fouling and mineral scaling. The system includes a membrane surface monitoring system cell, a control valve, a retentate flow meter/transmitter and a controller. The MSM cell has a visually-observable membrane, an edge-lit light guide, an edge illumination light source, a retentate module, and a permeate module. A pressurized inlet stream is fed into the MSM cell. The feed contacts a membrane sheet, leading to membrane-based separation operation to produce retentate and permeate streams. The MSM cell integrates surface illumination and imaging components to allow direct real-time visualization and spectral imaging of the membrane surface in real time. The pressure on the feed-side of the MSM cells is approximately that of the membrane plant element being monitored such that the plant control system can adjust plant operating conditions.

Abstract: An autonomous pool cleaner includes a main body, a filter that is removably coupled to the main body, and an edge engagement assembly. The main body includes a top, a bottom, and one or more peripheral walls that extend between the top and the bottom. The filter is accessible for removal or installation via a particular peripheral wall of the one or more peripheral walls. The edge engagement assembly is configured to extend beyond the particular peripheral wall of the main body and removably secure the autonomous pool cleaner to an edge of a swimming pool so that the filter is accessible and vertically removable when the autonomous pool cleaner is secured to the edge.

Abstract: A component concentration sensing system includes a first component concentration sensor, a collector and a second component concentration sensor. The first component concentration sensor is provided to a channel through which flows a liquid whose component concentration is to be sensed, and is configured to irradiate the liquid with light and sense the component concentration in the liquid from a degree of light absorption. The collector is arranged to collect the liquid flowing through the channel. The second component concentration sensor is configured to irradiate the liquid collected in the collector with light and sense the component concentration in the liquid from the degree of light absorption.

Abstract: A system, method and apparatus for determining and controlling water clarity or water opacity especially useful in pools, spas, and contained bodies of water.

Abstract: A device (100) has surfaces (21, 22, 23, 24) and an anti-biofouling system (10) comprising at least one light source (11, 12) for performing an anti-biofouling action on at least a majority of the surfaces, the at least one light source (11, 12) being adapted to emit rays of anti-biofouling light. The surfaces (21, 22, 23, 24) are configured relative to each other and to the at least one light source (11, 12) such that during operation of the at least one light source, at least a majority of the surfaces (21, 22, 23, 24) is free from shadow with respect to the rays of anti-biofouling light from the at least one light source (11, 12), wherein it may be possible for the rays of anti-biofouling light to reach the surfaces (21, 22, 23, 24) by skimming along the surfaces (21, 22, 23, 24).

Abstract: An assembly comprises a wet compartment (100) having at least one inlet opening for allowing water to enter the wet compartment (100), a functional unit (2) located in the wet compartment (100), a dry area (200) which cannot be reached by water and which is outside of the wet compartment (100), a barrier (110) situated between the dry area (200) and the wet compartment (100), and at least one energy source (20) which is arranged and configured to emit energy for preventing biofouling of at least an exterior surface (17) of the functional unit (2), wherein the energy source (20) is arranged in the dry area (200), a path (112) being present between the dry area (200) and the wet compartment (100) for allowing energy emitted by the energy source (20) during operation thereof to reach the wet compartment (100), through the barrier (110).

Abstract: Method for controlling a water treatment installation having a supply, an ozonization stage, a transfer stage, a biological filter and a discharge having the following steps: measuring a first parameter set in the supply, wherein, a measurement for a first concentration of micro-contaminations and/or a nitrite concentration is determined; controlling the ozonization stage in such a manner that an ozone supply is carried out in a preselected ratio to the measured first parameter set; measuring a second parameter set in the transfer stage, wherein, a measurement for a second concentration of micro-contaminations is determined; controlling the ozonization; measuring a third parameter set in the discharge, wherein, with reference to the third parameter set, a measurement of a third concentration of micro-contaminations is determined; if the measurement for the concentration of micro-contaminations exceeds a predetermined maximum value in the discharge, increasing the ozone supply.

Abstract: The invention provides an object (10) that during use is at least partly submerged in water, the object (10) further comprising an anti-biofouling system (200) comprising an UV emitting element (210), wherein the UV emitting element (210) is configured to irradiate with UV radiation (221) during an irradiation stage one or more of (i) a part (111) of an external surface (11) of said object (10) and (ii) water adjacent to said part (111) of said external surface (11), wherein the light source (220) is at least controllable between a first UV radiation level and a second UV radiation level, wherein the first UV radiation level is larger than the second UV radiation level, wherein the object (10) is selected from the group consisting of a vessel (1) and an infrastructural object (15), wherein the object (10) further comprises a control system (300) configured to control said UV radiation (221) as function of input information comprising information of one or more of (i) a location of the object (10), (ii) moveme

Abstract: An apparatus and associated method for obtaining a three-dimensional representation of a target object within a fluid-carrying conduit, such as a hydrocarbon exploration or production well, using high energy photons is provided. The representation is essentially a three-dimensional image that achieves visualization of the shape of the target object despite the intervening opaque fluids located between the imaging tool and the object. In one specific though non-limiting embodiment, a narrow, pencil-shaped beam of radiation is scanned in coordination with a similarly narrow detector field-of-view in order to sample the radiation-scattering properties of only a small volume of material at any given time. The result is a clearer visualization with a greater viewing depth.

Abstract: A centrifugal separation unit that performs centrifugal separation on a sample that has been injected into a container by rotating the container about a center axis of the container, as a rotation axis, a measurement unit that measures a sample component in the container that has been centrifugally separated by the centrifugal separation unit, and a correction unit that performs, on a result of the measurement, correction operation processing based on a change in concentration caused by evaporation of the sample during the centrifugal separation are provided.

Abstract: The invention provides an anti-fouling lighting system (1) configured for preventing or reducing biofouling on a fouling surface (1201) of an object (1200) that during use is at least temporarily exposed to a liquid, by providing an anti-fouling light (211) to said fouling surface (1201), the anti-fouling lighting system (1) comprising: —a lighting module (200) comprising a light source (210) configured to generate an anti-fouling light (211); and —an energy system (500) configured to locally harvest energy and configured to provide electrical power to said light lighting module (200), wherein the energy system (500) comprises (i) a sacrificial electrode (510), and (ii) a second energy system electrode (520), wherein the energy system (500) is configured to provide electrical power to the lighting module (200) when the sacrificial electrode (510) and the second energy system electrode (520) are in electrical contact with the liquid.

Abstract: A toilet device for a rail vehicle includes flushing water-carrying installations and wastewater-carrying installations. The flushing water-carrying installations include an intermediate reservoir for storing flushing water and a supply line for supplying the intermediate reservoir with flushing water. The supply line includes a filter for filtering the flushing water supplied to the intermediate reservoir. The supply line is connected to the intermediate reservoir such that flushing water from the intermediate reservoir can be returned through the filter. A backflushing line is connected to the filter and opens into a wastewater-carrying installation.

Abstract: Provided are biocidal compositions comprising: a hydroxymethyl-substituted phosphorus compound and 2-methyl-1,2-benzisothiazolin-3-one. The compositions are useful for controlling microorganisms in aqueous or water-containing systems.

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods of wastewater treatment that rely primarily on the use of water treatment chemicals to clean wastewater without the need to use filtration mechanisms. The present invention generally provides a system that is less complex and less expensive to operate than wastewater treatment systems in the prior art.

Abstract: A method and a system for producing a change in a medium disposed in an artificial container. The method places in a vicinity of the medium at least one of a plasmonics agent and an energy modulation agent. The method applies an initiation energy through the artificial container to the medium. The initiation energy interacts with the plasmonics agent or the energy modulation agent to directly or indirectly produce the change in the medium. The system includes an initiation energy source configured to apply an initiation energy to the medium to activate the plasmonics agent or the energy modulation agent.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for identifying platelets within a whole blood sample. The method includes the steps of: a) adding at least one colorant to the whole blood sample, which colorant is operable to tag platelets; b) disposing the blood sample into a chamber defined by at least one transparent panel; c) imaging at least a portion of the sample quiescently residing within the chamber to create one or more images; and d) identifying one or more platelets within the sample using an analyzer adapted to identify the platelets based on quantitatively determinable features within the image using a analyzer, which quantitatively determinable features include intensity differences.

Abstract: A fluid stream imaging apparatus having either optics for manipulating the aspect ratio or sensing elements configured for manipulating the aspect ratio of an image of the fluid stream. This application may also relate to a system for acquiring images of a portion of a fluid stream at high speeds for image processing to measure and predict droplet delays for individual forming particles.

Abstract: A device (1) comprises a source (20) for emitting ultraviolet light, an inlet (30) for letting in fluid to the device (1), an outlet (40) for letting out fluid from the device (1), and means (51, 52) for performing a straightening action of a flow of fluid through the device (1). The flow straightening means comprise at least one flow straightening element (51, 52) having inlet openings for letting in fluid at one side and outlet openings for letting out fluid at another side, wherein each inlet opening is in communication with a plurality of outlet openings, and wherein the element (51, 52) comprises a maze of randomly arranged, interconnected holes. In such a structure, a water element that is moving from one side of the element (51, 52) to another side may take one of various paths, as a result of which variations in inlet conditions can be dampened.

Abstract: We provide a system and method for reverse osmosis treatment of water, including seawater and brackish water. Methods and systems of embodiments of the invention may include, for example, ultrafiltration followed by biofoulant removal, both of which precede reverse osmosis. In preferred embodiments the system is run at a low flux. For example, a flux of 6-8 GFD may be used with seawater. Additional embodiments may provide the above process in conjunction with a reverse-osmosis membrane cleaning system. The membrane cleaning system is a “clean in place” system that includes use of the natural pressure differential in the reverse osmosis system to remove biofoulants and their precursors.

Abstract: A system and method includes an aeration subsystem that excites enzymes in the liquid waste passing through the septic system. The aeration subsystem includes a compressor section that compresses the liquid waste. The method includes mixing enzymes into the fluid waste material, compressing the fluid waste material with the compressor, injecting air into the compressed fluid waste material, and determining whether the fluid waste material is at a desired cleanliness, and if not, recirculating the fluid waste material through the compressor.

Abstract: The present application provides a method of detecting an amount of a treatment agent, such as a flocculating agent, in a process stream comprising the step of measuring at least one absorption property of a sample obtained from the process stream at a wavelength of less than about 250 nm. Processes and systems for monitoring and regulating addition of treatment agents to process streams are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a process for treating water and the use of calcium carbonate in such a process. In particular, the present invention is directed to a process for remineralization of water comprising the steps of (a) providing feed water having a concentration of carbon dioxide of at least 20 mg/l, preferably in a range of 25 to 100 mg/l, and more preferably in a range of 30 to 60 mg/l, (b) providing an aqueous slurry comprising micronized calcium carbonate, and (c) combining the feed water of step (a) and the aqueous slurry of step (b) in order to obtain remineralized water.

Abstract: Methods for monitoring scale deposition in a water-containing industrial process are disclosed. In certain embodiments, the water-containing industrial process is an aqueous cooling system. In certain embodiments, the methods incorporate fluorometric monitoring and control techniques along with a piezoelectric microbalance sensor. A particular embodiment of a piezoelectric microbalance sensor is additionally disclosed, along with at least one method for using the particular embodiment that is independent of whether fluorometric monitoring and control techniques are utilized.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of custom stabilization of the hydrogen peroxide used in the safe in-situ treatment of soil and groundwater. In one embodiment, disclosed is a method of in-situ chemical oxidation treatment of soil and/or groundwater wherein the hydrogen peroxide has been stabilized with carboxylate salt (e.g., sodium citrate, sodium malonate, or sodium phytate).

Abstract: A grey water dividing and treatment system is provided. A drain system of the grey water dividing and treatment system receives grey water from a grey water producing source. A grey water dividing apparatus of the grey water dividing and treatment system divides the grey water received from the drain system into a number of cells, and determines a contamination level of each of the cells. Grey water treatment tanks of the grey water dividing and treatment system receive the grey water from the grey water dividing apparatus based on the determined contamination level of each of the cells and treat the grey water.

Abstract: A propellant management device comprising a plurality of insert vanes with respective outwardly extending curved flanges is disposed in a propellant tank with the curved flanges having mating contact along contacting lines on the interior of the tank as the insert vanes serves to wick fuel within the tank with reduced particulate generation within the tank for improved reliability and use of the propellant tank.

Abstract: A system, method and apparatus for determining and controlling water clarity or water opacity especially useful in pools, spas, and contained bodies of water.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for automatically adjusting the operational parameters of a blood separation procedure. A blood separation device has an inlet for passing fluid thereinto and an outlet for removing fluid therefrom. A pump system is provided for moving fluid into and out of the device. In use, blood is conveyed into the device, where platelets are separated from at least a portion of the blood. A controller determines the amount of platelets in the device. Based at least in part on the amount of platelets in the device, corrective action is taken to avoid platelet aggregation in the device. The corrective action may be conveying an elevated amount of anticoagulant into the blood and/or the device and may be initiated when the determined amount of platelets approaches, meets, or exceeds a threshold predicted likelihood of platelet aggregation.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are directed to swimming pool cleaners, systems and methods that generally include a swimming pool cleaner and a docking station. Embodiments of the swimming pool cleaner can include a battery and a debris container. The docking station generally includes an opening configured and dimensioned to at least partially receive the swimming pool cleaner. Upon receipt of the swimming pool cleaner in the opening of the housing, the docking station can automatically recharge the battery of the swimming pool cleaner and/or automatically clean the debris container of the swimming pool cleaner.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for the extracorporeal treatment of blood are described. The apparatus includes a dialyzer which is separated into a first and second chamber by a semipermeable membrane, wherein the first chamber is disposed in a dialysis fluid path and the second chamber can be connected to the blood circulation of a patient by way of a blood inflow conduit and a blood outflow conduit, a feed for fresh dialysis fluid, a discharge for spent dialysis fluid, a measuring device disposed within the discharge for determining the absorption of the spent dialysis fluid flowing through the discharge, wherein the measuring device has at least one radiation source for substantially monochromatic electromagnetic radiation, and a detector system for detecting the intensity of the electromagnetic radiation, wherein means are provided to compensate for changes that occur in the intensity of the electromagnetic radiation of the radiation source and/or the sensitivity of the detector system.

Abstract: An indicator for the status of the filter is provided. The indicator comprises at least one erodable member in contact with the source fluid and a visual indication arrangement that permits a viewer to gauge the appearance of the erodable member to thereby gauge the filter status. The erodable member is eroded by interaction with the fluid or with an element within the fluid. The indicator may be incorporated as an integral component of a filter or may be a stand-alone device to be incorporated into a filter or filtration system.

Abstract: A method of particle separation, wherein a collimated light source operable to generate a collimated light source beam is provided. The collimated light source beam includes a beam cross-section. A body is provided, wherein the body defines a wall and a first channel in a first plane. The first channel includes a first channel cross-section, the first channel being oriented to receive the collimated light source beam such that the beam cross-section completely overlaps the channel cross-section. The collimated light source beam is transmitted through the channel. A fluid sample is transmitted through the channel, fluid sample including a plurality of particles of a same type. All of the particles of the plurality of particles are separated axially along the collimated light source beam. All of the particles of the plurality of particles are retained against the wall in the collimated light source beam.

Abstract: A method for a water treatment may include adding a chlorine species to water to be treated to dissolve the chlorine species in said water to be treated, measuring a demand of said chlorine species dissolved in said water to be treated while said chlorine species partly reacts with organic water constituents within said water to be treated, and applying an advanced oxidation process (AOP) (e.g., traditional chemical AOPs, chlorine species AOPs, UV AOPs, or UV/chlorine species AOPs) to said water to be treated while controlling said AOP based on said measured demand of said chlorine species dissolved in said water to be treated.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for operating on skimmed oil/water picked up from a body of water to separate the oil from the water and discharge the oil-free water back into the body of water, first feeds the skimmed oil/water into a gravity settling tank wherein the oil tends to settle above the water, removing relatively oil-free water from the bottom of the tank and measuring its oil content with an oil concentration sensor, and either returning the oil/water flow to the settling tank for further processing if the measured concentration of oil exceeds predetermined limits or discharging the water back into the body of water if the oil concentration is measured to be less than the predetermined value.

Abstract: A medical apparatus (100) for extracorporeal blood treatment comprises a support structure (101) housing a hydraulic circuit (1) located above a liquid collection zone (103) such that liquid losses from the hydraulic circuit can at least partially accumulate at the liquid collection zone. A liquid sensor (108) detects presence of any liquid in the liquid collection zone and operates in a distanced position with respect to the liquid collection zone (103).

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method of detecting cationic polymers comprising: obtaining a target water sample containing a cationic polymer; adding a polymer dispersant solution and a phosphate solution to the target water sample, the polymer dispersant solution is comprised of a polymer dispersant with calcium and magnesium hardness and the phosphate solution is comprised of a phosphate; standing the target water sample; and measuring the turbidity of the target water sample; comparing the turbidity of said target water sample with a calibration curve of the turbidity of samples containing known concentrations of cationic polymers to determine the concentration of cationic polymers in said target water sample.

Abstract: A fluid treatment apparatus comprising: a reactor vessel defining a chamber and having an inlet and an outlet to allow fluid to flow through the chamber; a UV light source adapted to transmit light within the chamber; and a plurality of catalyst members comprising a catalytic outer surface, the catalyst members being freely contained within the chamber, wherein the apparatus is adapted to cause the catalyst members to move around within the chamber as fluid flows through the chamber.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for determining the physiological state of a microbial community, which rapidly and precisely determines the physiological state of a microbial community present in a treatment tank of a wastewater biological treatment facility; and a wastewater treatment method utilizing the same.

Abstract: A method for treating wastewater using a ballasted flocculation technique includes continuously measuring the concentration of suspended solids, organic matter or other impurities in the water to be treated prior to directing the water to be treated to a flocculation tank. Based on this measurement, the amount of ballast necessary to obtain treated water of a predetermined quality is then calculated. In the flocculation tank, ballast and a flocculating reagent are added to the water to form a water-floc mixture. The water-floc mixture is directed to a settling tank where a sludge-ballast mixture is settled. The sludge-ballast mixture is directed to a mixing tank and then to a separator to separate the ballast from the sludge. The separated ballast is directed to the flocculation tank. The separated sludge is directed to the mixing tank when the level of sludge-ballast mixture in the mixing tank is lower than a predetermined level.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a means of monitoring and controlling a process step, or steps for a treatable fluid being processed, whereby a sampled volume of the treated fluid is delivered to a vessel, within which the sampled treated fluid emulates the expected reaction or reactions of the treatable fluid being processed within the process step. The sampled volume of the treated fluid is detained, monitored, recorded and analyzed by the present invention. The resulting data is translated into commands that are conveyed to process control devices which control the processing of the treatable fluid. Sampling and analyzing of the treatable fluid is automatically repeated on a cyclical basis.