Abstract: A fluid treatment apparatus and related methods involving the use of replaceable treatment cartridges that include a treatment media, wherein the treatment cartridge is electrically enhanced to form regions of differing polarity within the cartridge. The treatment cartridge can include a pair of fixed polarity conductors that can be electrically connected to a power source so as to induce regions of differing polarity within the cartridge. The fluid treatment apparatus can be utilized to treat liquids including aqueous solutions as well as gases such as an air supply by exposing the fluid to the regions of differing polarity.

Abstract: This dialysis-fluid supply system, which mixes a diluent and at least two drugs to generate a dialysis fluid, and outputs said dialysis fluid, is provided with: two tanks which mix the drugs and the diluent to generate the dialysis fluid, and store said dialysis fluid; a water supply device and a drug supply device which supply the diluent and the drugs to each of the tanks; mechanisms for outputting, to a dialysis device, the dialysis fluid stored in each of the tanks; and a control unit for controlling the driving of these. During output of the dialysis fluid from at least one of the tanks, the control unit sequentially switches the supply destination tank for the drugs and the diluent, and the dialysis-fluid output source tank, between the two tanks in order to generate the dialysis fluid in the other tank.

Abstract: An on-demand filter structure including a first hydrophilic protective layer comprising a first surface exposable to a stream of water. A contact area on the first surface receives the stream. The first hydrophilic protective layer receives the stream and distributes water out a second surface, primarily using gravity. An activated carbon felt (ACF) layer is adjacent to the second surface, wherein the ACF layer is configured for water filtration, primarily using gravity. A second hydrophilic protective layer includes a third surface adjacent the ACF layer and a fourth surface. The third surface receives filtered water from the ACF layer, and the fourth surface expels the filtered water primarily using gravity, wherein the first and second hydrophilic protective layers sandwich the ACF layer. A cross section of the first hydrophilic protective layer, the ACF layer, and the second hydrophilic protective layer has a curvature.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for the remediation of wastewater by electrocoagulation. The system and method are directed to the precipitation of ammonia resulting in the formation of struvite. According to another embodiment, the method also results in precipitation of nitrogen compounds including nitrates, nitrites, and urea.

Abstract: A method for removing microorganisms from liquid samples and a nanofiber containing liquid filtration medium that simultaneously exhibits high liquid permeability and high microorganism retention. Microorganisms such as bacteria, particularly B. Diminuta, are removed from a liquid by passing the liquid through a porous nanofiber containing filtration medium having a B. Diminuta LRV greater than about 9, and the nanofiber(s) has a diameter from about 10 nm to about 1,000 nm. Another method for removing microorganisms such as bacteria and Mycloplasma, includes passing the liquid through a porous nanofiber containing filtration medium having a microorganism LRV greater than about 8, and the nanofiber(s) has a diameter from about 10 nm to about 1,000 nm. The filtration medium can be in the form of a fibrous electro spun polymeric nanofiber liquid filtration medium mat.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a system and method for cleaning filters, such as membrane filters. More particularly, a method and system are disclosed for retaining a plurality of small particulates, preferably in the shape of beads, which contact sludge or other despots on the membrane filters to remove unwanted debris that would otherwise form on the cleaning filters. In various embodiments, the plurality of small particulates are retained in a permeable enclosure formed of wedgewire.

Abstract: An ion exchanger includes a case having an inflow hole and an outflow hole. The case accommodates a tube. A first passage is defined between the case and the tube. A second passage is defined in the tube. A first end of the first passage and a first end of the second passage are connected to each other. The first passage includes a lower portion defining a lower accommodation portion that is filled with an anion exchange resin. The first passage includes an upper accommodation portion located above the lower accommodation portion. The upper accommodation portion is filled with a cation exchange resin. The upper accommodation portion has a smaller volume and a smaller refrigerant flow area than the lower accommodation portion.

Abstract: A top load liquid filter assembly includes a filter lockout mechanism to ensure that the filter base and cover are not connectable unless there is a proper filter cartridge installed therein. The filter system can also include an automatic drain mechanism and a cartridge retention mechanism. One example embodiment further includes an air bleed vent. A filter cartridge usable in the topload liquid filter assembly includes first and second protrusions and cover-gripper members. Methods of use, installing, servicing, and retaining can be practiced.

Abstract: A membrane filtration system, capable of effectively removing foreign matter attached to a separation membrane while saving energy by reciprocating the separation membrane, includes a treatment bath, a membrane support frame disposed in the treatment bath, a separation membrane module installed in the membrane support frame, a reciprocating part connected with the membrane support frame to reciprocate the membrane support frame, and a sludge floating part disposed on a lower end of the membrane support frame to float sludge accumulated in the treatment bath, and a filtered-water discharge part discharging filtered water that has been filtered via the separation membrane module. The filtered-water discharge part is formed to be movable or stretchable in response to a reciprocating motion of the membrane support frame.

Abstract: A membrane filtration system, capable of effectively removing foreign matter attached to a separation membrane while saving energy by reciprocating the separation membrane, includes a treatment bath, a membrane support frame disposed in the treatment bath, a separation membrane module installed in the membrane support frame, a reciprocating part connected with the membrane support frame to reciprocate the membrane support frame, a sludge floating part disposed on a lower end of the membrane support frame to float sludge accumulated in the treatment bath, and a control part controlling a reciprocating distance or frequency of the separation membrane module.

Abstract: The improved water purification system includes a water purification unit having a tap water inflow port for receiving a tap water inflow from a water supply system to produce relatively purified water and a brine water outflow having impurities concentrated therein. An RO filter having an RO membrane separates relatively unfiltered water flow into purified water and the brine water outflow. A flush flow activation chamber fluidly coupled to the brine water outflow includes a plunger for substantially occluding brine water outflow through the brine outflow port when seated, and substantially permits brine water outflow to exit the purification unit through the brine outflow port when unseated. Accordingly, the activation chamber generates back pressure within the water purification system to flash flow tap water inflow into the purification unit and through the RO membrane when the plunger moves from being seated to unseated, thereby substantially refreshing said RO membrane.

Abstract: A membrane filtration system, capable of effectively removing foreign matter attached to a separation membrane while saving energy by reciprocating the separation membrane, includes a treatment bath, a membrane support frame disposed in the treatment bath, a separation membrane module installed in the membrane support frame, a reciprocating part connected with the membrane support frame to reciprocate the membrane support frame, and a sludge floating part disposed on a lower end of the membrane support frame to float sludge accumulated in the treatment bath. The separation membrane module includes an upper frame, a lower frame, and a hollow fiber membrane provided between the upper frame and the lower frame.

Abstract: A filter apparatus has a filter housing (1) accommodating at least one filter element (17) having an inner filter cavity (23) enclosed by a filter medium (27). The housing (1) contains an element bolder (19) that interacts with the filter element (17) located in its functional position. The element holder (19) has a projecting accommodating part (43) with an outer configuration adapted to the shape of an opening (37) located at the end of the filter element (17) to be secured to the element holder (19). The accommodating part (43) fits through the opening (37) of the filter element (17) located in the functional position.

Abstract: An on-demand filter structure including a first hydrophilic protective layer comprising a first surface exposable to a stream of water. A contact area on the first surface receives the stream. The first hydrophilic protective layer receives the stream and distributes water out a second surface, primarily using gravity. An activated carbon felt (ACF) layer is adjacent to the second surface, wherein the ACF layer is configured for water filtration, primarily using gravity. A second hydrophilic protective layer includes a third surface adjacent the ACF layer and a fourth surface. The third surface receives filtered water from the ACF layer, and the fourth surface expels the filtered water primarily using gravity, wherein the first and second hydrophilic protective layers sandwich the ACF layer. A cross section of the first hydrophilic protective layer, the ACF layer, and the second hydrophilic protective layer has a curvature.

Abstract: The invention discloses a fast biofilm formation method for an organic filler during treatment of sewage with a low C/N ratio, and belongs to the field of biofilm process for sewage treatment. The invention improves the effect of biofilm culturing by changing the micro-interface acting force of the filler and accelerating the attachment and colonization of microorganisms on the filler through increase of bacterial quorum-sensing molecules. As compared with a conventional biofilm culturing method, in the invention the biofilm culturing is rapid and operated conveniently, has strong practicality, and is a fast biofilm formation method for an organic filler, which is adapted for treatment of sewage with a low C/N ratio under an aerobic, anoxic or anaerobic condition.

Abstract: A method for operating a water softening plant includes an automatic blending device, an incoming flow of untreated water being divided into a first partial flow which is softened and a second partial flow which is not softened and then combined into a flow of blended water. The proportions of the two partial flows are adjusted by the automatic blending device such that a desired hardness DV results in the flow of blended water. The conductivity of the softened water and blended water are measured by conductivity sensors in their respective flows. The conductivity of the untreated water is calculated from the measured conductivity of the soft water, from the measured conductivity of the blended water and from the determined proportions of the partial flows. It is possible for the hardness of the blended water to be adjusted very reliably and with improved accuracy.

Abstract: The invention relates to infusate containers and related systems and methods for housing infusates that can be added to a fluid flow path for use during dialysis. The infusate containers can include a filter partitioning the containers into a first and second compartment, a draw tube for drawing up fluid from a bottom portion, a cap, a fluid connector for delivery and withdrawal of fluid from the two compartments, and a fluid connector for connection to a dialysis system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of preparing a nanocomposite membrane, comprising: (a) providing a nanocomposite solution comprising a polymer solution and nanomaterials; (b) subjecting the nanocomposite solution to a cold water bath to produce the nanocomposite membrane in a gel-like form; and (c) subjecting the gel nanocomposite membrane to a heat treatment to solidify the nanocomposite membrane, wherein the nanomaterials are dispersed within the polymer matrix of the nanocomposite membrane.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for degrading and inactivating at least one xenobiotic, the at least one xenobiotic being present in an aqueous medium. The method comprises the steps of (a) grafting at least one enzyme onto a solid support, (b) incubating the solid support with the at least one enzyme into the aqueous medium and (c) measuring the evolution of the concentration of the at least one xenobiotic. The method is remarkable in that the at least one enzyme is New-Dehli metallo-?-lactamase 1, a laccase extracted from Pleurotus ostreatus and/or a ?-lactamase extracted from Pseudomonas aeruginosa and in that the solid support is a moving bed carrier.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to corn dry-milling, and more specifically, to methods for producing a high protein corn meal from a whole stillage byproduct produced in a corn dry-milling process for making ethanol and a system therefore. In one embodiment, a method for producing a high protein corn meal from a whole stillage byproduct includes, in a corn dry-milling process for making ethanol, separating the whole stillage byproduct into an insoluble solids portion and a thin stillage portion. The thin stillage portion is separated into a protein portion and a water soluble solids portion. Next, the protein portion is dewatered then dried to define a high protein corn meal that includes at least 40 wt % protein on a dry basis.