Abstract: A monitoring system for an access chamber to a pipe network. The system comprises at least one sensor for determining a fluid condition associated with fluid in a conduit of the pipe network and at least one threshold level indicator for determining a threshold fluid level in the access chamber, the at least one threshold level indicator being associated with the at least one sensor. The system further comprises a controller for receiving output signals from the at least one sensor and the at least one threshold level indicator and for controlling supply of power to the at least one sensor and a wireless transceiver in communication with the controller to allow the controller to communicate with a remote server over a communications network. The controller is arranged to supply power to the at least one sensor in response to receiving an output signal from the at least one threshold level indicator indicative of the fluid level having exceeded the threshold fluid level.

Abstract: A method of accelerated testing of a membrane module for resistance to cyclic stress during operation of an industrial membrane separation process comprising loading at least one membrane module into a test cell of a test plant; conducting said industrial membrane separation process while subjecting said membrane module to cyclic stresses during a plurality of membrane operating cycles, each cycle being of significantly lesser duration than used for operation of said industrial membrane separation process in an operating plant; and testing said membrane module for component failure caused by said cyclic stresses.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an online leakage monitoring technique of a steam generator tube for monitoring leakage of the steam generator tube by analyzing concentration of an extremely small amount of boron ions in the secondary side solution of the steam generator in which a variety of ions are mixed, and the present invention is effective in that concentration of an extremely small amount of boron ions can be accurately detected, maintenance is convenient and durability is improved since analysis time is reduced considerably and operation pressure is lowered greatly by using ion chromatography provided with a boron trapping column optimized for trapping an extremely small amount of boron ions and a deionization water supplier for rising a sample line, instead of general ion chromatography provided with a concentration column and a separation column.

Abstract: A beverage dispensing kiosk that contains empty beverage containers and fills them with water and other beverages. The beverage containers comply with applicable regulations and standards to be designated “compostable.” The kiosk uses municipal water as the base, purifies the water, and adds constituents to meet the taste of the ultimate consumer. The delivered beverage may be commonly known as bottled water or as a soft drink, such as a cola beverage.

Abstract: Embodiments relate generally to methods and systems for providing a computerised safety monitor application in a handheld mobile computing device. An example method comprises: within the safety monitor application, allowing user configuration of a monitor time period; executing a timer function to run a timer from a beginning of the monitor time period; in response to a signal from the movement detection component indicative of movement of the mobile computing device by more than a threshold movement amount, resetting the timer to run from the beginning of the monitor period; and in response to the timer reaching an end of the monitor time period, generating and transmitting an alarm message to at least one remote destination using the wireless communication means of the handheld mobile computing device.

Abstract: A process for treating a water stream containing dissolved organic carbon and dissolved salts comprises subjecting the water stream to reverse osmosis after a pre-treatment step to reduce the amount of dissolved organic carbon directed in water to the reverse osmosis treatment step. The preferred pre-treatment step is a membrane treatment step such as nanofiltration. The process enables treatment of complex effluents including mixtures of domestic and industrial effluents. Treated water may be recycled and a treatment plant (100) employing the process forms another aspect of the invention.

Abstract: A drinking apparatus equipped with beverage supply function includes a drinking machine, a beverage module and a control circuit. The drinking machine has an area at the top to hold the beverage module. The area has a first water passage connection port communicating with an internal water passage of the drinking machine and a first circuit connection port connecting to an internal circuit of the drinking machine. The beverage module has a second water passage connection port communicating with an internal water passage of the beverage module and a second circuit connection port connecting to an internal circuit of the beverage module. The first water passage connection port and first circuit connection port of the drinking machine are coupled respectively with the second water passage connection port and second circuit connection port of the beverage module. Water and power of the beverage module are provided by the drinking machine.

Abstract: Some embodiments relate to a fluid monitoring system, comprising: a housing positioned in-ground above a buried fluid conduit, the housing having a lockable access hatch to allow access to an internal volume of the housing from surface level; at least one sensor accessible through the internal volume and arranged to sense at least one condition of fluid in the fluid conduit; and a wireless telemetry unit supported in the housing and coupled to receive output signals from the at least one sensor in relation to the at least one condition. Some embodiments relate to methods usable by such systems. Some embodiments relate to fluid supply/drainage zone monitoring systems and methods employing multiple in-ground installations.

Abstract: Embodiments relate generally to a pump control system for a pressure sewer installation. The system comprises a controller arranged to control supply of power to a pump of the pressure sewer installation. The controller is arranged to receive an output signal from a sensor in a fluid reservoir of the pressure sewer installation, the output signal being indicative of a measured fluid level in the fluid reservoir. A memory is accessible to the controller and is arranged to store operation information pertaining to operation of the pressure sewer installation. A wireless transceiver is in communication with the controller to allow the controller to communicate with a remote server over a communications network.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for bottled beverage distribution. Apparatus includes bin, means for receiving bottles, sensor and receipt dispenser. Method of selling includes providing an inventory, assigning identification indicia, assigning first and second purchase prices and positioning apparatus for receiving, storing and dispensing receipt. Method of distributing includes delivering to a first location water bottles, positioning at a second location a receiving, storing and receipt dispensing apparatus, and retrieving empty bottles from the apparatus. Method of distributing includes creating an account, assigning a first amount charged for each bottle sold, assigning a second amount deducted from the first amount for each bottle received, delivering bottles and positioning a receiving, storing and receipt dispensing apparatus.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to articles of manufacture, devices, methods and apparatus for performing liquid chromatography featuring a chromatographic sorbent having one or more pentafluorophenyl groups, wherein said one or more pentafluorophenyl groups are a bonded phase on a sorbent selected from the group comprising silica, organic polymers or hybrid organic diene material and said pentafluorophenyl groups are in a mono-, bi-, and tridentate forms.

Abstract: When the water bottle 10 is in the inversion condition and in the basic state, the distance between the opening 11 of the water bottle 10 supported by the water bottle supporting portion 110 and the water bottle connector 120 supported by the water bottle connector supporting portion 130 becomes the normal distance for connecting the opening and water bottle connector appropriately. In the water bottle exchange operation, the distance between the opening 11 of the water bottle 10 supported by the water bottle supporting portion 110 and the water bottle connector 120 supported by the water bottle connector supporting portion 130 becomes large according to the drawing operation of the used water bottle 10 in the front direction, finally the water bottle connector 120 is disconnected from the opening 11, the detaching operation of the water bottle can be completed. The attaching operation of the water bottle can be completed by the opposite operation.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for bottled beverage distribution. Apparatus includes bin, means for receiving bottles, sensor and receipt dispenser. Method of selling includes providing an inventory, assigning identification indicia, assigning first and second purchase prices and positioning apparatus for receiving, storing and dispensing receipt. Method of distributing includes delivering to a first location water bottles, positioning at a second location a receiving, storing and receipt dispensing apparatus, and retrieving empty bottles from the apparatus. Method of distributing includes creating an account, assigning a first amount charged for each bottle sold, assigning a second amount deducted from the first amount for each bottle received, delivering bottles and positioning a receiving, storing and receipt dispensing apparatus.

Abstract: A method for the detection and/or identification of Cryptosporidium organisms in general, and one or more of C. hominis, C. parvum and C. meleagridis organisms in particular and/or nucleic acid sequences and to hybridization assay probes, helper probes, amplification primers, nucleic acid compositions, probe mixes, methods and kits useful for determining the presence of Cryptosporidium organisms in general, and one or more of C. hominis, C. parvum and C. meleagridis organisms in particular, in a test sample of water, faeces, food or other sample media.

Abstract: Drinking water bottle return apparatus having a bin, a door or receiving tray movable between an open position and a closed position, a first sensor detecting when the door or receiving tray in the open position, a second sensor detecting a drinking water bottle entering the bin, and a receipt dispenser that dispenses a receipt in response to detection by the second sensor of a drinking water bottle entering the bin within a predetermined time period after detection by the first sensor of the door or receiving tray in the open position.

Abstract: A method of converting non-fresh water to fresh water, referred to as the “Rosenbaum-Weisz Process”, is disclosed. The Process utilizes high temperature electrolysis to decompose the treated non-fresh water into hydrogen and oxygen. The generated hydrogen and oxygen are then combusted at elevated pressure in a high temperature combustor to generate high pressure high temperature superheated steam. The combustion of hydrogen and oxygen at elevated high pressure will prevent air from entering the combustor thereby preventing the creation of nitrous oxide (“NOX”) that might otherwise be created as a result of the high temperature created by the combustion. The heat from the high pressure high temperature superheated steam is then removed by a high temperature heat exchanger system and recycled back to the high temperature electrolysis unit. The superheated steam will condense, as a result of the heat extraction by the heat exchanger system, to produce fresh water.

Abstract: A method of converting seawater, waste water, brackish water and polluted water to fresh water, referred to as “The Rosenbaum-Weisz Process”, is disclosed. This method utilizes high temperature electrolysis to decompose the seawater into hydrogen, oxygen and salts/minerals. The generated hydrogen and oxygen are then combusted in a high temperature combustor to generate superheated steam. The heat from the superheated steam is then removed by a high temperature heat exchanger system and recycled to the high temperature electrolysis unit. The superheated steam is then condensed, as a result of the heat extraction by the heat exchanger system, to produce fresh water. The recovered salts/minerals can be sold to generate additional revenue.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of detecting the presence of a viable micro-organism of interest in a sample containing a contaminating micro-organism.

Abstract: A device for isolating at least a portion of a pipe from fluid flowing therethrough. The device having a body (1) that is at least partially insertable into the pipe. An external surface of the body is adapted to abut with an inner surface of the pipe to substantially prevent fluid flowing therethrough. At least one valve element (10) is arranged within the body (1) and is selectively openable and closable to permit fluid to flow through the body to facilitate removal of the body from the pipe.

Abstract: There is disclosed an attachment device for attaching a pipe cleaning tool to a rotary motion facilitation device. The pipe cleaning tool comprises an elongate member adapted to be received by the rotary motion facilitation device. The attachment device comprises a connecting element that is positionable to connect the elongate member to said rotary motion facilitation device such that rotary motion can be transferred from the rotary motion facilitation device to the pipe cleaning tool. A retainer element is mountable to the rotary motion facilitation device to enclose at least a portion of the connecting element to retain the connecting element in position.