Abstract: The present invention provides a controller for a water softener having an ion exchange resin capable of receiving hard water ions from hard water during a softening step and releasing the hard water ions during a regeneration step. The controller includes a processor programmed to cause termination of the softening step and initiate the regeneration step when both a first and a second condition are met. The first condition is met when the resin is saturated with hard water ions, and the second condition is met when current demand for soft water is at or below a prescribed flow rate.

Abstract: A filter head assembly is configured for connection to a water line and including at least two filter heads connected to each other for treating water supplied through the water supply line and at least one of the filter heads accommodating a replaceable filter bowl. The assembly includes at least one head housing having an inlet port, an outlet port, a central chamber in fluid communication with the ports and a bowl connection opening in fluid communication with the chamber. Each of the ports is pivotally connected to one of a tubular connector and an end plug fitting so that the head housing can pivot relative to the respective connector and/or fitting.

Abstract: Processes for deionization and demineralization of a fluid containing ions comprising:(a) Loading an amine or ammonia buffer onto a first weakly acidic cation exchange resin to occupy cation exchange sites and to form a first bed comprising a first amine-buffered resin;(b) Passing said fluid containing ions through said first bed comprising said first amine-buffered resin and exchanging cations of said fluid for amine cations of said first amine-buffered resin to form a first effluent comprising an anion-buffer salt complex;(c) Passing said anion-buffer salt complex through a first weakly basic anion exchange resin where an anion portion of said anion-buffer salt complex is split from said anion-buffer salt complex by adsorption of said anion portion onto said weakly basic anion exchange resin to form a second effluent comprising buffer in free hydrated base form;(d) Passing said buffer in free hydrated base form to a second weakly acidic cation exchange resin where said buffer loads onto said second weakly a

Abstract: A water softening apparatus is provided including a water tank, a brine tank, chlorination electrodes for providing chlorination to water flowing in the water tank and a circuit for providing electrical energy to the chlorination electrodes. A microprocessor controls the circuit, with the microprocessor being software controlled to determine when regeneration should commence, when backwash should terminate, when brine/slow rinse should commence, when the chlorination electrodes should be energized, when the chlorination electrode energization should terminate, when brine/slow rinse should terminate, when fast rinse should commence, and when fast rinse should terminate.

Abstract: A water softening system is provided in which a determination is made whether the slow rinse cycle of a regeneration has been completed or is abnormal. A reference cell and a spaced sensing cell are provided in a water tank. The impedance difference of the solution between the reference cell and the sensor cell is sensed. If the impedance difference is a first state, then after a predetermined period of time a determination is made if the impedance difference is a second state. If the impedance difference is a second state, then after a predetermined period of time a determination is made if the impedance difference is a third state. If the impedance difference is a third state, this indicates that the sodium ion concentration is uniformly reduced in the zone between the reference cell and the sensing cell and that the slow rinse cycle has been completed.

Abstract: Processes for deionization and demineralization of a fluid containing ions comprising:(a) Loading an amine or ammonia buffer onto a first weakly acidic cation exchange resin to occupy cation exchange sites and to form a first bed comprising a first amine-buffered resin;(b) Passing said fluid containing ions through said first bed comprising said first amine-buffered resin and exchanging cations of said fluid for amine cations of said first amine-buffered resin to form a first effluent comprising an anion-buffer salt complex;(c) Passing said anion-buffer salt complex through a first weakly basic anion exchange resin where an anion portion of said anion-buffer salt complex is split from said anion-buffer salt complex by adsorption of said anion portion onto said weakly basic anion exchange resin to form a second effluent comprising buffer in free hydrated base form;(d) Passing said buffer in free hydrated base form to a second weakly acidic cation exchange resin where said buffer loads onto said second weakly a

Abstract: A process is disclosed for treatment of dialysis feedwater using ozone. The ozone is added to the feedwater storage tank. It is removed prior to use of the feedwater in dialysis using ultraviolet light. A process for disinfecting a dialysis feedwater loop using ozonated water is also provided.

Abstract: A tank lining system comprises a tank having a wall defining a first opening. A flexible sheet lining abuts the interior surface of the wall and defines a second opening that is aligned with the first opening of the tank wall. A first collar surrounds the first opening and is attached to the tank, while a second collar surrounds the second opening and is attached to the flexible sheet. Means are provided for retaining the first and second collars together with a seal of the junction area between them. The tank is sealed by removing air from between the lining and the tank prior to inserting the seal between the collars.

Abstract: Water treatment apparatus having a raw water inlet and a treated water outlet and at least a first and second water treatment tank plus conduit means for passing water from the inlet to the outlet through the first and second tanks in parallel flow relation. The tanks are automatically regenerated in sequential, alternating intermittent manner in response to predetermined criteria. The tank being regenerated is connected to prevent flow from said tank through the outlet, while the tank not being regenerated is connected to provide flow through the outlet. Accordingly, continuous water treatment, with alternating, intermittent regeneration of the tanks, may be provided.

Abstract: The method of purifying spent brine from the regeneration of ion exchange resin, for example resin in water softeners. The method comprises acidifying the spent brine to a pH of less than 3 with an acid other than sulfuric acid, which acid is preferably chosen from at least one acid which forms a calcium salt that is more water soluble than calcium sulfate. One passes the brine through a nanofiltration membrane to purify the brine by separating from it a waste stream which comprises the majority of the polyvalent ions present, so that the purified brine has most of its contaminating polyvalent ions removed.

Abstract: A low salt level sensor comprising a float within a brine tank, apparatus for detecting whether the float has risen in response to the addition of a predetermined amount of water to the brine tank to a height such that an adequate supply of salt is present in said brine tank and apparatus for indicating if the float has not risen high enough. A method of detecting whether the salt level is low in the brine tank of a water treatment system is also described. According to this method, brine is removed from the brine tank and a predetermined amount of water is added. A determination is then made as to whether the brine level has reached a height such that an adequate supply of salt is present in the brine tank and an indication is provided if the brine level is below this height.

Abstract: A tank lining system comprises a tank having a wall defining a first opening. A flexible sheet lining abuts the interior surface of the wall and defines a second opening that is aligned with the first opening of the tank wall. A first collar surrounds the first opening and is attached to the tank, while a second collar surrounds the second opening and is attached to the flexible sheet. Means are provided for retaining the first and second collars together with a seal of the junction area between them.

Abstract: A system for treating a portion of water passing through a pressurized water conduit. The system comprises water treatment means such as a reverse osmosis module. An upstream branch line communicates between the pressurized water conduit and the inlet of the water treatment means. Another branch line is provided for connection with pressurized water conduit at a location downstream from the upstream branch line, and communicating with a water outlet of the treatment means. A flow restrictor is provided, positioned in the pressurized water conduit between the conduit connection locations of the respective branch lines. Thus, water can flow through the upstream branch line from the conduit to the water treatment means, and water can flow from the treatment means through the other downstream branch line back to the conduit when water is flowing through the pressurized water conduit.

Abstract: A novel drinking water faucet of the type used with household water purification system is provided. The faucet includes a spout, a valve, means for opening and closing said valve, a waste water inlet, an air gap, and a waste water outlet. The faucet includes means for accommodating the visual display of a water quality meter. The faucet can be mounted in either a right-handed or left-handed configuration from above the mounting surface.

Abstract: Water treatment apparatus having a raw water inlet and a treated water outlet and at least a first and second water treatment tank plus conduit means for passing water from the inlet to the outlet through the first and second tanks in parallel flow relation. The tanks are automatically regenerated in sequential, alternating intermittent manner in response to predetermined criteria. The tank being regenerated is connected to prevent flow from said tank through the outlet, while the tank not being regenerated is connected to provide flow through the outlet. Accordingly, continuous water treatment, with alternating, intermittent regeneration of the tanks, may be provided.

Abstract: A flow collector/distributor for a water treatment tank comprises a housing proportioned to communicate through a wall of the water treatment tank to provide flow communication between the tank interior and the tank exterior. The collector/distributor defines an inner end to project inwardly from the tank wall and an outward end to face outwardly from the tank wall. A plurality of slots are defined in the tubular housing, positioned to communicate with the tank interior when the collector/distributor is seated in the tank wall. The slots are of a width which is narrow enough to permit water flow therethrough while substantially preventing passage therethrough of water treatment material present within the tank.

Abstract: A water treatment system is provided including a service step, a regenerating step and a rinse step. The service step includes introducing water to be treated into the inlet, through a treatment medium and out the outlet to a service location. If a prolonged period of idleness is determined automatically, a rinse step is automatically provided by which an amount of water to be treated is introduced into the inlet, through the treatment medium and out of the outlet to drain.

Abstract: A faucet-mounted filter in which a housing is positioned in flow transmitting relation with the water flow line. A microporous, hollow fiber filter bundle is positioned to sealingly occlude water flow through the housing so that all water flow through the housing must pass through porous walls of the hollow fibers of the filter. The pores of the hollow fiber walls are no larger than 0.22 micron, as measured by the particles that the pores pass. Thus the filter is capable of microbial filtering.