Abstract: An underdrain block for a filter system comprises a housing that has of a top wall, a bottom wall, a first end wall, a second end wall, a first side wall, and a second side wall. The end walls and the side walls connect the top wall to the bottom wall. The bottom wall forms two lateral rows of support legs configured to straddle infrastructure of the filter system. One or more snap-locking mechanisms are located on the side walls so that adjacent underdrain blocks are interconnected by the locking mechanisms when snapped in place. In one embodiment, the first side wall comprises one or more tongue lugs and the second side wall comprises one or more groove lugs, each groove lug defines a groove for mating with the tongue lug so that adjacent housings are interconnected by the tongue-in-groove locking mechanisms when the tongue lugs are snapped into the grooves.

Abstract: A filter underdrain system and a method for measuring the water flow through the underdrain filter system. The apparatus includes panel members assembled to form a perforate grid on the filter base structure of an underdrain block. The panels are generally rectangular and have an upper and lower surface. Multiple apertures are provided in the panel member. The number and/or size of the apertures are dimensioned to prevent the egress of filter media and to obtain substantially uniform backwash flow in the underdrain thereby reducing or eliminating water maldistribution.

Abstract: A fluid pollution prevention system for preventing the discharge of hazardous waste from a bilge of a marine vessel, and removal of the same from the bilge. The system includes an absorber for absorbing hazardous waste from a fluid in the bilge. The system further includes a locator for locating the absorber in a predetermined orientation relative to a bilge pump to prevent the discharge of hazardous waste from the bilge. In one embodiment of the invention, the locator is an upstanding member in relation to the fluid in the bilge and includes at least one locator channel defined along at least a portion of the locator for slidable receipt of the absorber. According to this characterization, the absorber is movable along the locator channel as a function of the bilge fluid level to absorb hazardous waste from the fluid and isolate an inlet of the bilge pump from receipt of the same.

Abstract: A waste product separator includes a plurality of plate gussets which support a top cover plate. Each gusset has opposite ends with an interconnecting declining edge extending from the top plate to the roadway. The respective edges further support a first ramp and a second ramp. Each ramp includes elongated slots so that onrushing waste water flows through the first ramp followed by discharge through the slots of the second ramp. Collection sections are under the top cover plate and in the path of the oncoming rush of waste water and each section includes an oil absorption unit and a toxic waste or product unit so that the waste water must filter through these units to reach a discharge ramp. The units serve as a catch basin for retaining trash.

Abstract: A method of conveying and purifying fluids including stormwater by passing fluid through an assemblage of tires fastened together by physical and chemical means, and an apparatus for carrying out the same method, are disclosed. The apparatus according to the invention comprises a series of axially aligned used tires help together by adhesive and metal or plastic bands. Organic or inorganic filters at each end of the assemblage serve to further purify the fluid and reduce the possibility of insect breeding within the filter.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are provided for the removal and destruction of ammonia from an aqueous medium. The methods and apparatuses include the removal of ammonia from an aqueous medium by contact with either natural or synthetic zeolite. The spent zeolite is re-generated for continuous use, while the ammonia is concentrated as ammonium sulfate, and ultimately destroyed via combustion. A system for monitoring and maintaining an ammonia removal system by an off-site provider is also disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems and methods are disclosed for treating a biological fluid with light. A container of biological fluid is introduced into a fluid treatment chamber where it is contacted with light provided by one or more light sources in proximity to the fluid treatment chamber. A drawer for holding containers of biological fluid introduces the containers into the chamber. Containers for holding the biological fluid are marked by the apparatus to indicate the status of the treatment.

Abstract: An ion exchange filter apparatus to reduce ions contained in a liquid medium used in a fuel cell system is equipped with an ion exchange filter 6 to receive an ion exchange resin 38. The ion exchange filter 6 includes a flow passage 27 to introduce the liquid medium to the ion exchange resin 38, a bypass passage 7 to flow the liquid medium by bypassing the ion exchange resin 38, and an orifice 21 disposed at a branch section where the bypass passage 7 is branched from the flow passage 27, to determine a flow volume ratio of the liquid medium flowing in the ion exchange resin 38 and the bypass passage 7, wherein a hole diameter of the orifice is set so that a pressure loss generated when all the amount of the liquid medium flows in the bypass passage 7 becomes substantially equal to an allowance maximum pressure loss of the ion exchange filter 6.

Abstract: A water heater filter is provided for the removal of minerals and sediments from water, comprising a cylindrical filter housing element comprising an upper chamber and a lower chamber linked by a small diameter section, an inlet fitting, a conical fine mesh stainless steel wire screen positioned within the upper chamber, a first cotton filter positioned within the lower chamber, a second carbon filter comprising activated carbon enclosed in a porous element positioned within the lower chamber, and an outlet fitting. The water heater filter has particular utility in connection with a household water heater.

Abstract: The present invention is a media-based fluid filtration system that extends the time between backwashing operations and prevents the agglomeration of filtered particles at the top of the media bed through the use of a plurality of rotating vanes and associated tines that continuously agitate the upper portion of the filtration media to create a fluidized bed. The fluid stream to be filtered is introduced at the top of a generally cylindrical filtration chamber at a tangential angle to induce a helical flow inside the chamber. The chamber contains one or more layers of filtering media such as sand, gravel, or the like below the inlet. The incoming fluid stream makes contact with a plurality of pivotally mounted vanes, causing them to rotate. One or more downwardly extending tines are attached to each blade, extending down from the blade into the top layer of the filtering media.

Abstract: The invention encompasses a method of packing and unpacking a column chamber. A mixture of a fluid and a matrix material are introduced through a column chamber inlet so that the matrix material is packed within a column chamber to form a packed column. The column chamber having the column chamber inlet or first port for receiving the mixture further has an outlet port and an actuator port. The outlet port is partially closed for capturing the matrix material and permitting the fluid to flow therepast by rotating relative one to the other of a rod placed in the actuator port. Further rotation relative one to the other of the rod and the column chamber opens the outlet and permits the matrix material and the fluid to flow therethrough thereby unpacking the matrix material from the column chamber.

Abstract: The invention is related to a method and an installation for removal of metal cations contained in a liquid, in which said liquid is brought into contact at a temperature greater than or equal to 60° C. with a chelating ion exchange resin formed from a polyazacycloalkane grafted on a solid support, said resin having been conditioned, previously to said contacting, at a pH of 4 to 6.

Abstract: A vessel or kettle for holding water has a first chamber from which water can be pumped though a filter into a second chamber. The pump can be gravity, manual or power operated. Cold water from the first chamber can be pumped though an annular filter of ion exchange resins into the second chamber where it can be heated. The contents of filter can be held in a replaceable porous bag. A meter can indicate the amount transferred, eg in multiples of a volume such as a cupful. The vessel can have a spout valve that selectively allows the first chamber to be filled or water to be poured from the second chamber. The first chamber and/or the pump can be external to the vessel. The pump can include non-return valves and a siphon system.

Abstract: A process and medium for decontamination of water containing anionic species including arsenic and chromium, wherein compounds comprising divalent and trivalent metal oxides and sulfides are used to form surface complexes with contaminants under pH conditions within the range of potable water. In one embodiment natural and synthetic spinels and spinel-like materials are used as the sorbent substance.

Abstract: A lid for an underdrain block that has a top surface defining an opening for receiving fill material. The top surface forms a ridge circumscribing the opening, the lid comprising a top, a bottom and a peripheral edge, the peripheral edge comprising a rim adapted to interlock with the ridge. The ridge of the underdrain block can have a flange perpendicular to the top surface and the rim on the lid is adapted to tightly fit over the flange so that the rim interlocks with the flange. Alternatively, the underdrain block for a filter system comprises a hollow plastic housing comprising a top wall that defines an opening for receiving the fill material. The top wall forms a ridge surrounding the opening and the lid seals the opening in the top wall. The lid comprises a peripheral edge that forms a u-shaped rim. The u-shaped rim has a locking means to tightly fit over the ridge so that the rim interlocks with the ridge so as to seal the opening.

Abstract: A process for killing microorganisms and controlling biofouling in high chlorine demand waters comprises mixing two components, one of which is an oxidant and the other an ammonium salt, and adding the mixture immediately to the aqueous system to be treated.

Abstract: The disclosed invention is a fixed bed ion exchange water purification system. It employs a combination of electronically controlled process steps and specific systems configurations to duplicate the effects of moving resin beds from one operation position to another as is required in moving bed ion exchange water purification systems. The invention combines features of single fixed bed ion exchange systems with those of a moving bed system. The invention applies to the treatment of water having typical industrial and drinking water concentrations of various ions.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems and methods are disclosed for treating a biological fluid with light. A container of biological fluid is introduced into a fluid treatment chamber where it is contacted with light provided by one or more light sources in proximity to the fluid treatment chamber. A drawer for holding containers of biological fluid introduces the containers into the chamber. Containers for holding the biological fluid are marked by the apparatus to indicate the status of the treatment.

Abstract: An apparatus is presented for separating chemicals using adsorption separation methods. The apparatus uses a plurality of adsorption units holding adsorbent, where the adsorption units are serially connected and are moved to shift the relative position of the feeds and drawoffs to the apparatus.

Abstract: A showerhead having a water filter element held therein. The water filter element is easily changeable by unscrewing two halves of a body forming the showerhead. The body halves are easily gripped and turned, so as to be opened or closed, and the showerhead preferably includes a massage-type head at the lower end thereof, which may be rotated to vary the streams of water exiting the showerhead. The water filter element cooperates with internal components of the halves of the body to direct the flow of water through the filter element, and then out of the massage head. The showerhead may be easily and quickly adapted to be held on any shower arm, and to replace any existing showerhead without taking up as much room as currently existing filter elements used with available showerheads.