Abstract: Disclosed is a heavy metal adsorbing mixture that sequesters heavy metals such as lead from water. The mixture is formed from two of more lead sorbents. The lead sorbents exhibit a synergistic effect such that the lead adsorption of the mixture of materials is greater than the theoretical maximum absorption of the individual components of the mixture. Mixtures of lead sorbents that exhibit synergistic lead adsorption are characterized by elemental compositions within specified ranges by weight, as measured by x-ray fluorescence.

Abstract: A filter system is provided that comprises a first filter element in fluid communication with a source of a fluid, wherein the fluid flows through the first filter element and a second filter element in fluid communication with the first filter element, wherein the fluid, flowing through the first filter element flows through the second filter element and is discharged. The first filter element comprises a material adapted to stop the passage of materials greater than a selected size. The second filter element is adapted to remove an organic substance from the liquid.

Abstract: Disclosed is a filter media for removing contaminants such as organic acids from water. The filter media comprises porous particles. The particles have a total pore volume greater than about 0.4 cc/g. The pore volume is primarily or substantially comprised of epipores, that is, pores that are larger than about 5 nm. The filter media may also include a non-porous filter material and a binder. The filter media may be formed into a filter element, with the binder joining particles of the filter media together into a solid body. The percentage of the total pore volume provided by epipores is greater than about 40%. The filter reduces an initial concentration of an organic acid by greater than 80% at a flux greater than 0.76 ml/min/cm2.

Abstract: Disclosed is a filter element from removing contaminants from water comprised of first filter media particles having a first particle size and second media particles having a second particle size and methods for making such a filter element. The first media particles are adhered to surfaces of the second media particles. A binder connects the second media particles with one another so that interstitial spaces are formed between second media particles. A portion of the smaller first filter media particles are positioned within the interstitial spaces. According to one embodiment of the disclosure water flows through the filter element at a flux greater than about 1.5 ml/min/cm2 has a pressure drop less than 20 psi.

Abstract: Disclosed is a filter element from removing contaminants from water comprised of first filter media particles having a first particle size and second media particles having a second particle size and methods for making such a filter element. The first media particles are adhered to surfaces of the second media particles. A binder connects the second media particles with one another so that interstitial spaces are formed between second media particles. A portion of the smaller first filter media particles are positioned within the interstitial spaces. According to one embodiment of the disclosure water flows through the filter element at a flux greater than about 1.5 ml/min/cm2 has a pressure drop less than 20 psi.

Abstract: A filter that contains an adsorbent to remove the soluble portion of the contaminant, and then some form of electrostatic attraction additive. The electrostatic attraction additive would serve to pull the colloidal and particulate portion of the contaminant out of fluid, which could be held indefinitely, or be used to hold while the contaminant is allowed to solubilize and then be removed by the adsorbent. The electrostatic attraction additive could either be positively or negatively charged depending on the surface charge of the particulates that are in the fluid, and includes particles or fibers charged with charged polymers, zeolites, cation or anion exchange resin, powdered alumina, or nano-alumina.

Abstract: A filter that contains an adsorbent to remove the soluble portion of the contaminant, and then some form of electrostatic attraction additive. The electrostatic attraction additive would serve to pull the colloidal and particulate portion of the contaminant out of fluid, which could be held indefinitely, or be used to hold while the contaminant is allowed to solubilize and then be removed by the adsorbent. The electrostatic attraction additive could either be positively or negatively charged depending on the surface charge of the particulates that are in the fluid, and includes particles or fibers charged with charged polymers, zeolites, cation or anion exchange resin, powdered alumina, or nano-alumina.

Abstract: A filter for gravity-fed applications, having filter media with a hollow center, the filter being generally prone to a degradation or cessation in fluid flow due to air entrapment or air lock within the filter housing cavity, which develops during filtering. A diffuser element is introduced to pierce the entrapped air bubble, the diffuser element being an elongated structure connected to the filter housing top end cap and extending through the entrapped air bubble to the filter media.

Abstract: A filter for gravity-fed applications, having filter media with a hollow center, the filter being generally prone to a degradation or cessation in fluid flow due to air entrapment or air lock within the filter housing cavity, which develops during filtering. A diffuser element is introduced to pierce the entrapped air bubble, the diffuser element being an elongated structure connected to the filter housing top end cap and extending through the entrapped air bubble to the filter media.

Abstract: A filter for gravity-fed applications, having filter media with a hollow center, the filter being generally prone to a degradation or cessation in fluid flow due to air entrapment or air lock within the filter housing cavity, which develops during filtering. A diffuser element is introduced to pierce the entrapped air bubble, the diffuser element being an elongated structure connected to the filter housing top end cap and extending through the entrapped air bubble to the filter media.

Abstract: A filter that contains an adsorbent to remove the soluble portion of the contaminant, and then some form of electrostatic attraction additive. The electrostatic attraction additive would serve to pull the colloidal and particulate portion of the contaminant out of fluid, which could be held indefinitely, or be used to hold while the contaminant is allowed to solubilize and then be removed by the adsorbent. The electrostatic attraction additive could either be positively or negatively charged depending on the surface charge of the particulates that are in the fluid, and includes particles or fibers charged with charged polymers, zeolites, cation or anion exchange resin, powdered alumina, or nano-alumina.

Abstract: A filter that contains an adsorbent to remove the soluble portion of the contaminant, and then some form of electrostatic attraction additive. The electrostatic attraction additive would serve to pull the colloidal and particulate portion of the contaminant out of fluid, which could be held indefinitely, or be used to hold while the contaminant is allowed to solubilize and then be removed by the adsorbent. The electrostatic attraction additive could either be positively or negatively charged depending on the surface charge of the particulates that are in the fluid, and includes particles or fibers charged with charged polymers, zeolites, cation or anion exchange resin, powdered alumina, or nano-alumina.

Abstract: A filter for gravity-fed applications, having filter media with a hollow center, the filter being generally prone to a degradation or cessation in fluid flow due to air entrapment or air lock within the filter housing cavity, which develops during filtering. A diffuser element is introduced to pierce the entrapped air bubble, the diffuser element being an elongated structure connected to the filter housing top end cap and extending through the entrapped air bubble to the filter media.

Abstract: A gravity filter media fabricated from multiple spiral wound or pleated layers, where different layers are designed for specific contaminant removal process and the layers are combined into a single pack for ease of use. The layers or fiber sheets are chemically treated for contaminant removal, with different layers having different chemical treatments, or the layers are immobilized with particles of various sizes for use as low contact-time adsorbents, with different layers having different immobilized particles, or the pore structure is varied from one fiber sheet to another—one being a tight pore structure, and the other being a more open pore structure, or any combination thereof. When using immobilized particles, the immobilized particles can be chemically treated for the specific removal of targeted contaminants, and multi-layered for custom designed removal of specific contaminants.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system, method, and apparatus of downloading digital media files by a user wherein a computer user may download digital media files without incurring any charges whereby the computer user is subject to a targeted advertisement, in particular, during the file download time. Fees collected from advertisers can be used to offset the royalties due to rights holders of the digital media files such that the download is free for the user. Preferably, this system and apparatus can be used to disseminate digital media files such as music, books, artwork, video, games, ring tones, and multimedia works.