Abstract: A water treatment system includes a water treatment tank containing a resin bed through which water is passed for treatment thereof during normal operation of the treatment system. A brine tank contains a brine solution which, when passed through the resin bed, results in regeneration of the treatment effectiveness of the bed. A plurality of electrically actuatable valve means direct water through the treatment tank during normal operation of the treatment system and direct brine solution through the treatment tank in a regeneration operation. A control for the water treatment system includes means for manually entering control data, display means for displaying data, and sensor means for sensing the volume of water treated by the water treatment system. A controller circuit means is responsive to means for manually entering control data and to the sensor means and is connected to display data on the display means.

Abstract: A valve mechanism is used in combination with a fluid treatment device of the type having a tank defining a treatment bed, particulate treatment material contained within the treatment bed, and a central distribution tube mounted in the bed and terminating in a plurality of distributors which provide fluid communication between the bed and the distribution tube. The valve mechanism consists of a plurality of ball valves, each connected to a different one of the distributors and having unidirectional flow restriction assemblies such that fluid flow in a first direction from the bed to the distributor tube is relatively unrestricted, and fluid flow in a second direction from the distribution tube to the treatment bed is relatively restricted.

Abstract: A system for handling exhausted vermiculite cation exchange particles after they have been used for the removal of heavy metal ions from waste effluents. The exhausted particles are stabilized and removed from the ion exchange column. Stabilization may be by acid solution recirculation through the column prior to particle removal. This is accomplished by preferably using a portable stabilization unit. The stabilized particles are removed from the column by a flushing, backwashing arrangement. After drying, the particles, which are non-hazardous, may be used in a land fill or they may be expanded to produce a lightweight aggregate, insulation, or agricultural material.

Abstract: A water treatment system includes a water treatment tank containing a resin bed through which water is passed for treatment thereof during normal operation of the treatment system. A brine tank contains a brine solution which, when passed through the resin bed, results in regeneration of the treatment effectiveness of the bed. A plurality of electrically actuatable valve means direct water through the treatment tank during normal operation of the treatment system and direct brine solution through the treatment tank in a regeneration operation. A control for the water treatment system includes means for manually entering control data, display means for displaying data, and sensor means for sensing the volume of water treated by the water treatment system. A controller circuit means is responsive to means for manually entering control data and to the sensor means and is connected to display data on the display means.

Abstract: A water treatment and storage system includes a reverse osmosis treatment unit having an untreated water input line, a treated water output line and a bleed water output line. An expandable container, compressed by a spring arrangement, is provided for storing treated water. A container valve, connecting the reverse osmosis treatment unit and the expandable container, terminates the flow of treated water to the container when a predetermined quantity of water has been accumulated therein. The container valve further includes a bleed valve arrangement connecting the bleed water output line and a drain line. The bleed valve arrangement terminates the flow of bleed water to the drain line after the container has accumulated the predetermined quantity of treated water.

Abstract: A dual tank storage system is provided having a first generally cylindrical upstanding tank adapted to be positioned either adjacent to or within a second tank of larger diameter. The tanks are in fluid connection and are useful in systems requiring the segregated storage of two fluids until the fluids are mixed and used or in systems where a stored fluid is required periodically to regenerate the contents of another container. A cover is also provided which fits completely over the first tank, when the first tank is positioned within the second tank, and forms a seal with the upper rim of the second tank.

Abstract: A mixed bed deionizer unit which provides in situ regeneration through the use of two compact multi-valve assemblies and an intermediate manifold which are automatically controlled to supply backwash water, chemical draw for cleansing both cation and anion resins simultaneously and rinsing water in a sequentially controlled manner. An internal water and chemical distribution system in the mixed bed tank is provided which has both input distribution and output drainage capabilities.

Abstract: A system for the combined softening of water and reduction of dissolved solids from the water, which can be retrofitted to a conventional water softening apparatus, is disclosed. The system includes a pressure tank having a closure with an access opening, an inlet line for conveying hard water to the pressure tank, an outlet line for conveying softened water from the tank and having a mouth located proximate the bottom of the tank, pelletized treatment material located within the pressure tank for softening the raw water, a plurality of tubular membrane carriers embedded within the treatment material, a plurality of semi-permeable reverse osmosis membranes enclosing the tubular membrane carriers, and a conduit for collecting the purified water from the membrane carriers.

Abstract: Raw water is fed to a first column containing a weak acid cation exchange resin in hydrogen form where alkalinity causing ions and hardness causing ions to the extent of alkalinity are converted to carbonic acid. The carbonic acid, which hydrolyzes to dissolved carbon dioxide, is stripped from the water in a decarbonation unit by passing air countercurrent to the flow of water through the unit. The water is then fed to a second column containing a weak acid cation exchange resin in sodium form which removes residual hardness causing ions along with neutralization of any mineral acids or residual dissolved carbon dioxide. Both resins are substantially completely regenerated upon exhaustion to provide a process in which the maximum capacities of the resins are utilized, and the process is carried out with a minimum of monitoring and control.

Abstract: A cabinet for enclosing a water softener system, which system includes a free standing resin tank, has a cylindrical brine tank side wall member, mounted on top of a horizontal cabinet base and forming a brine tank therewith. An integrally formed cabinet side wall member having a vertical front wall portion and a pair of vertical side wall portions extending rearwardly from the front wall portion is mounted on top of the base. The cabinet side wall member surrounds the brine tank on at least three sides of the brine tank and the side wall portion extends rearwardly beyond the brine tank by a distance sufficient to enclose substantially on at least three sides the free standing resin tank. A brine tank cover is mounted on top of the cabinet side wall member and defines an opening therein through which salt may be added to the brine tank.

Abstract: Cation exchange water softeners may be regenerated and, then, the regenerant wastes (brine) recovered, treated, and recycled. The result is a closed system which is ecologically beneficial. The regenerant brine is captured in as concentrated a form as possible and then treated with a precipitant such as sodium or potassium carbonate or mixtures of sodium or potassium carbonate with sodium or potassium hydroxide. Calcium and magnesium compounds are precipitated and the supernatant contains sodium or potassium chloride. These are separated within the brine treatment tank, the precipitate being disposed of as a sludge or sludge cake and the supernatant being recycled to the water softener at the time of further regeneration.

Abstract: A circuit for controlling the regeneration cycle of a water softener includes a flow meter which provides a pulse output of a frequency proportional to the flow rate of the water treated by the softener. A predetermined counter, responsive to the flow meter pulse output, provides a first enabling output when a first count is reached indicating that the capacity for treating a normal 24 hour supply of water remains and provides a second enabling output when a second count is reached indicating that the capacity for treating water has been depleted. A 24 hour timer is responsive to the first enabling output to provide a regeneration timer with a regeneration initiation signal at a preselected time during the 24 hour period following the first enabling output. The regeneration timer is directly responsive to the predetermined counter for initiation of regeneration immediately upon receipt of the second enabling signal.

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.