Abstract: The present disclosure is directed an ion exchange membrane that has an increased affinity for a specific ionic species. The ion exchange membranes disclosed herein include ionophores that can increase ion-selectivity. These ion exchange membranes can be incorporated to various ion-exchange systems or devices that can selectively separate ions of value.

Abstract: Provided are hybrid electrochemical and membrane-based systems for removing silica from water stream to achieve ultra-pure water. The silica concentration of a feed water stream may dictate the most effective and economical variation of disclosed hybrid processes to use. For example, for a feed water stream having a silica concentration of 1-30 ppm, a hybrid system for treating the feed water includes an electrodialysis reversal unit, the electrodialysis reversal unit comprising an inlet stream and a product outlet stream; a reverse osmosis unit, the reverse osmosis unit comprising an inlet stream and a product outlet stream, wherein the inlet stream of the reverse osmosis unit comprises the product outlet stream of the electrodialysis reversal unit; and an electrodeionization unit, the electrodeionization unit comprising an inlet stream and a product outlet stream, wherein the inlet stream of the electrodeionization unit comprises the product outlet stream of the reverse osmosis unit.

Abstract: Provided are spacers, ion-exchange devices comprising spacers, and methods of preparing spacers for improved fluid distribution and sealing throughout an ion-exchange device. These spacers can include an internal cavity surrounded by a perimeter of the spacer. The perimeter can have a first opening and a second opening within the perimeter, and the first opening and the second opening can be located on opposite sides of the internal cavity. The spacers can also have a first and second plurality of channels located within the perimeter, wherein each channel of the first and second plurality of channels extends from the internal cavity towards the first opening or the second opening.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to ion-exchange systems and devices that can monitor key parameters related to the performance of the ion-exchange device. Specifically, the ion-exchange systems and devices disclosed herein can provide real time voltage drop across groups of membrane pairs using diagnostic spacer borders between the pairs. In addition, the ion-exchange systems and devices disclosed herein can monitor the compression force applied by the compression plates holding the ion-exchange systems and devices together.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an apparatus and a method to desalinate aqueous solution. The apparatus disclosed herein comprises at least two electrodes and at least one ion selective membrane in continuous contact with the aqueous solution that is contained in the internal space created by connecting a top manifold and a bottom manifold of the apparatus. The ion selective membrane(s) are arranged in such a manner as to enable reversing the flow of the charged particles by direct or indirect means. The electrodes in this apparatus may be made of material that reversibly reacts with chlorides in water.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed an ion exchange membrane that has an increased affinity for a specific ionic species. The ion exchange membranes disclosed herein include ionophores that can increase ion-selectivity. These ion exchange membranes can be incorporated to various ion-exchange systems or devices that can selectively separate ions of value.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed ion-exchange systems and devices that include composite ion-exchange membranes having 3D printed spacers on them. These 3D printed spacers can drastically reduce the total intermembrane spacing within the system/device while maintaining a reliable sealing surface around the exterior border of the membrane. By adding the spacers directly to the membrane using additive manufacturing, the amount of material used can be reduced without adversely impacting the manufacturability of the composite membrane as well as allow for complex spacer geometries that can reduce the restrictions to flow resulting in less pressure drop associated with the flow in the active area of the membranes.

Abstract: A laser piston position sensor for determining the position of a piston within an accumulator, the laser piston position sensor configured to attach to an end of the accumulator, and the accumulator having an aperture in the end thereof exposing the piston within the accumulator to the laser piston position sensor. The laser piston position sensor including a sensor housing enclosing a cavity containing a low pressure gas, and defining an opening from the cavity toward the accumulator, a laser sensor positioned within the cavity for emitting a laser toward the piston of the accumulator via the opening in the sensor housing and the aperture in the accumulator, and a transparent lens positioned between the laser sensor and the accumulator to allow passage of the laser from the laser sensor to the piston, and to separate gases in the accumulator from gases in the cavity of the sensor housing.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an apparatus and a method to desalinate aqueous solution. The apparatus disclosed herein comprises at least two electrodes and at least one ion selective membrane in continuous contact with the aqueous solution that is contained in the internal space created by connecting a top manifold and a bottom manifold of the apparatus. The ion selective membrane(s) are arranged in such a manner as to enable reversing the flow of the charged particles by direct or indirect means. The electrodes in this apparatus may be made of material that reversibly reacts with chlorides in water.

Abstract: A laser piston position sensor for determining the position of a piston within an accumulator, the laser piston position sensor configured to attach to an end of the accumulator, and the accumulator having an aperture in the end thereof exposing the piston within the accumulator to the laser piston position sensor. The laser piston position sensor including a sensor housing enclosing a cavity containing a low pressure gas, and defining an opening from the cavity toward the accumulator, a laser sensor positioned within the cavity for emitting a laser toward the piston of the accumulator via the opening in the sensor housing and the aperture in the accumulator, and a transparent lens positioned between the laser sensor and the accumulator to allow passage of the laser from the laser sensor to the piston, and to separate gases in the accumulator from gases in the cavity of the sensor housing.

Abstract: A method of reducing hydraulic shock in a BOP system including a pressure regulator having an input port and an output port, and a regulator piston that moves between an open and a closed position based on a change in hydraulic pressure applied to the regulator piston via a pilot port. The method includes initiating a function, and monitoring the state of the function as it is carried out to predict when the function nears the end of its cycle. The method also includes, when the function reaches a predetermined state, adjusting the hydraulic pressure on the regulator piston via the pilot port to gradually move the regulator piston between the open to the closed position to reduce fluid flow through the fluid path in a controlled manner to reduce hydraulic shock.

Abstract: A system for controlling an integrated pump and energy recovery system is disclosed. The processor-based device is configured to receive a position signal representative of a measured position of a piston assembly movable between a top dead center and a bottom dead center of a hydraulic cylinder and a pumping cylinder, from the position sensor. The processor-based device is also configured to receive a pressure signal representative of a measured pressure of at least one of a fluid medium fed from the pumping cylinder to a filtering device, a hydraulic fluid fed from the hydraulic pump to the hydraulic cylinder, from the pressure sensing unit. The processor-based device is further configured to generate a control signal based on the position signal and the pressure signal, and transmit the control signal to the hydraulic power unit to control measured position of the piston assembly and a pressure of the fluid medium.

Abstract: A disposable child's drinking cup has a lid with a drinking spout defining multiple open holes sized to resist leakage in the absence of suction, such as by the development of surface tension at the holes, and to allow flow when suction is applied. The holes are formed during molding of the lid. An inner contour of a groove of the lid and an outer contour of the cup body rim are selected to provide a slight snap fit of the lid onto the cup body, to provide a secure seal.

Abstract: A disposable child's drinking cup has a lid with a drinking spout defining multiple open holes sized to resist leakage in the absence of suction, such as by the development of surface tension at the holes, and to allow flow when suction is applied. The holes are formed during molding of the lid. An inner contour of a groove of the lid and an outer contour of the cup body rim are selected to provide a slight snap fit of the lid onto the cup body, to provide a secure seal.

Abstract: A disposable child's drinking cup has a lid with a drinking spout defining multiple open holes sized to resist leakage in the absence of suction, such as by the development of surface tension at the holes, and to allow flow when suction is applied. The holes are formed during molding of the lid. An inner contour of a groove of the lid and an outer contour of the cup body rim are selected to provide a slight snap fit of the lid onto the cup body, to provide a secure seal.

Abstract: A disposable child's drinking cup has a lid with a drinking spout defining multiple open holes sized to resist leakage in the absence of suction, such as by the development of surface tension at the holes, and to allow flow when suction is applied. The holes are formed during molding of the lid. An inner contour of a groove of the lid and an outer contour of the cup body rim are selected to provide a slight snap fit of the lid onto the cup body, to provide a secure seal.

Abstract: A disposable child's drinking cup has a lid with a drinking spout defining multiple open holes sized to resist leakage in the absence of suction, such as by the development of surface tension at the holes, and to allow flow when suction is applied. The holes are formed during molding of the lid. An inner contour of a groove of the lid and an outer contour of the cup body rim are selected to provide a slight snap fit of the lid onto the cup body, to provide a secure seal.

Abstract: A disposable child's drinking cup has a lid with a drinking spout defining multiple open holes sized to resist leakage in the absence of suction, such as by the development of surface tension at the holes, and to allow flow when suction is applied. The holes are formed during molding of the lid. An inner contour of a groove of the lid and an outer contour of the cup body rim are selected to provide a slight snap fit of the lid onto the cup body, to provide a secure seal.

Abstract: A disposable child's drinking cup has a lid with a drinking spout defining multiple open holes sized to resist leakage in the absence of suction, such as by the development of surface tension at the holes, and to allow flow when suction is applied. The holes are formed during molding of the lid. An inner contour of a groove of the lid and an outer contour of the cup body rim are selected to provide a slight snap fit of the lid onto the cup body, to provide a secure seal.