Abstract: A filtration system is disclosed comprising a filter manifold and a filter cartridge. The filter manifold comprises a bracket, a valve, a manifold feed port, a manifold filtrate port, and a handle. The valve is held by the bracket and comprises a fixed portion attached to the bracket and a rotary portion. The handle is operatively connected to the rotary portion and comprises a cartridge lifter having one of a camming ramp or a camming lug lifter engagement feature. The handle is rotatable to a service position and a disengaged position, wherein the manifold feed port is blocked by the valve when the handle is in the disengaged position. The filter cartridge comprises a cartridge feed port, a cartridge filtrate port, and an external cartridge surface having one of a camming lug or a camming ramp for engaging the lifter engagement feature.

Abstract: Chemical dispensing systems and related methods for precision handling of fluids including water and bulk chemicals. Representative chemical dispensing system can include wall mounted dispensing panels or portable, frame mounted dispensing units. These chemical dispensing systems provide easy access to all required interfaces including water, chemical, air, electrical and solution. The wall mounted dispensing panel can include a molded routing panel having molded recesses for mounting and managing specific air, fluid and control modules. The portable, frame mounted dispensing unit can include an onboard pump assembly for pressurizing a motive fluid. The frame assembly can include one or more lifting handles and adjustable feet to allow for easy transportation and placement of the portable dispensing unit.

Abstract: A chemical delivery system and related methods of use in which a multi-port manifold is utilized to distribute a plurality of mixed chemical solutions. The multi-port manifold includes a single fluid inlet for receiving a diluent supply that is routed to a plurality of individual outlet ports. A venturi injector module including a valve assembly, a venturi mixing assembly and a latch assembly is fluidly coupled to each outlet port for individually controlling flow of the diluent through the outlet port. The venturi mixing assembly generally comprises a quick-connect projection for coupling the venturi mixing assembly to the outlet port. The latch assembly functions to retain the fluid connection of the venturi mixing assembly and the outlet port. The latch assembly and venturi mixing assembly generally include corresponding portions of a keyway shape that ensures that only the proper venturi mixing assembly is attached to the proper outlet port.

Abstract: Apparatus and related methods for continually measuring and dispensing precise amounts of bulk chemical in a car wash application. A gravimetric dispensing assembly can include a load cell and a syringe dosing pump that is suspended below the load cell such that an entire mass of the syringe dosing pump is communicated to the load cell. In this manner, the load cell can measure the actual mass of chemical being dispensed from the syringe dosing pump on a continuous basis without solely relying on the rated volumetric capacity of the syringe dosing pump. The syringe dosing pump can be driven by a stepper motor that can be pulsed as directed by a controller so as to maintain, increase or decrease an amount of bulk chemical being dispensed from the syringe dosing pump.

Abstract: Chemical dispensing systems and related methods for precision handling of fluids including water and bulk chemicals. Representative chemical dispensing system can include wall mounted dispensing panels or portable, frame mounted dispensing units. These chemical dispensing systems provide easy access to all required interfaces including water, chemical, air, electrical and solution. The wall mounted dispensing panel can include a molded routing panel having molded recesses for mounting and managing specific air, fluid and control modules. The portable, frame mounted dispensing unit can include an onboard pump assembly for pressurizing a motive fluid. The frame assembly can include one or more lifting handles and adjustable feet to allow for easy transportation and placement of the portable dispensing unit.

Abstract: An expandable chemical delivery system sharing a common bulk fluid inlet and bulk fluid flow path to direct a bulk fluid through one or more selected chemical eductors. Each chemical eductor is slidably insertable into an eductor port on the manifold body such that rotation of the chemical eductor is not required for installation. After installation, the orientation of the chemical eductor can be rotatably adjusted so as to avoid interference with adjacent chemical eductors. Delivery of a bulk fluid to each chemical eductor is controlled via a corresponding valve assembly that selectively allows or blocks flow of the bulk fluid from the bulk fluid flow path to the corresponding chemical eductor. The manifold body can include a plurality of individual manifold bodies approximated with a coupling system to define the bulk fluid flow path. Alternatively, the manifold body can comprise a single fabricated body for high pressure operation.

Abstract: A filter cartridge includes a one-piece housing having a port and a filtration element disposed in the housing. The filtration element is a coherent filter block that can be larger in cross dimension than the port. The filtration element can be a coherent filter block that generally conforms to the shape of the hollow interior, but is slightly smaller than the hollow interior so as to define a gap between the filtration element and the inner surface. One method for constructing a filter cartridge includes providing a housing having a hollow interior and at least one port, introducing a granular material into the hollow interior via the port, and transforming the granular material in the hollow material into a coherent filter block. Another method for constructing a filter cartridge includes providing a filtration element in the form of a coherent filter block, and overmolding a housing around the filtration element.

Abstract: Apparatus and related methods for continually measuring and dispensing precise amounts of bulk chemical in a car wash application. A gravimetric dispensing assembly can include a load cell and a syringe dosing pump that is suspended below the load cell such that an entire mass of the syringe dosing pump is communicated to the load cell. In this manner, the load cell can measure the actual mass of chemical being dispensed from the syringe dosing pump on a continuous basis without solely relying on the rated volumetric capacity of the syringe dosing pump. The syringe dosing pump can be driven by a stepper motor that can be pulsed as directed by a controller so as to maintain, increase or decrease an amount of bulk chemical being dispensed from the syringe dosing pump.

Abstract: An electrolytic water treatment system improving upon the electrode life of electrolytic oxygen generators by reducing mineral precipitation and fouling that typically occurs in water treatment systems. The electrolytic water treatment system can include a softened water bypass stream into which a flow-through electrolytic element can be positioned. By eliminating exposure of the electrolytic element to hard water, scale formation on electrodes can be significantly reduced such that polarity reversal cycles of the electrolytic element decrease in frequency.

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: A filtration system is disclosed comprising a filter manifold and a filter cartridge. The filter manifold comprises a bracket, a valve, a manifold feed port, a manifold filtrate port, and a handle. The valve is held by the bracket and comprises a fixed portion attached to the bracket and a rotary portion. The handle is operatively connected to the rotary portion and comprises a cartridge lifter having one of a camming ramp or a camming lug lifter engagement feature. The handle is rotatable to a service position and a disengaged position, wherein the manifold feed port is blocked by the valve when the handle is in the disengaged position. The filter cartridge comprises a cartridge feed port, a cartridge filtrate port, and an external cartridge surface having one of a camming lug or a camming ramp for engaging the lifter engagement feature.

Abstract: A system for controlling and monitoring the chemical usage in a car wash systems that form an aqueous cleaning solution by diluting a cleaning chemical concentrate in a process water stream to form. Level sensors are mounted to the bulk containers containing the chemical concentrate to measure and track the usage of the chemical concentrates. The usage data is collected and used to adjust flow rate controllers controlling the dilution of the concentrate into the process water stream. The system can be integrated into continuous processes where the aqueous cleaning solution is dispensed immediately after production and batch processes where the cleaning solution is stored temporarily before being dispensed onto a vehicle.

Abstract: An electrolytic filtration system incorporating a filter vessel and an electrolytic element into a simple compact system which avoids the use of toxic chemicals and eliminates the need for large reservoirs to ensure adequate contact time to remove iron and other problem contaminants. The electrolytic filtration system includes a filter head having a control valve and an electrolytic generator. The control valve directs flow through the filter vessel and allows for an intermittent backwash cycle as desired. The electrolytic generator can be integrated into the filter head to provide ease of installation and reduce the overall footprint of the electrolytic filtration system. The electrolytic generator can include a flow sensor and power supply to provide for control of the electrolytic generator.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods pertaining to an axial-flow electrolytic sump for operation in low to medium conductivity hard water. The axial-flow electrolytic sump can include easily replaceable components providing for ease of maintenance, low-cost replacement, and the lowest impact to the environment for the service life of the system. In general, the axial-flow electrolytic sump can comprise a removable/replaceable electrode cartridge that is operably enclosed in a sump housing.

Abstract: An electrolytic water treatment system improving upon the electrode life of electrolytic oxygen generators by reducing mineral precipitation and fouling that typically occurs in water treatment systems. The electrolytic water treatment system can include a softened water bypass stream into which a flow-through electrolytic element can be positioned. By eliminating exposure of the electrolytic element to hard water, scale formation on electrodes can be significantly reduced such that polarity reversal cycles of the electrolytic element decrease in frequency.

Abstract: An expandable chemical delivery system sharing a common bulk fluid inlet and bulk fluid flow path to direct a bulk fluid through one or more selected chemical eductors. Each chemical eductor is slidably insertable into an eductor port on the manifold body such that rotation of the chemical eductor is not required for installation. After installation, the orientation of the chemical eductor can be rotatably adjusted so as to avoid interference with adjacent chemical eductors. Delivery of a bulk fluid to each chemical eductor is controlled via a corresponding valve assembly that selectively allows or blocks flow of the bulk fluid form the bulk fluid flow path to the corresponding chemical eductor. The manifold body can include a plurality of individual manifold bodies approximated with a coupling system to define the bulk fluid flow path. Alternatively, the manifold body can comprise a single fabricated body for high pressure operation.

Abstract: Apparatus and related methods for increasing dissolved oxygen levels in water to remove iron and/or manganese. A dissolved oxygen treatment system includes a control system having a power supply and an electrode placed within a water chamber. At the electrode, water is converted into hydrogen gas and oxygen gas, wherein the oxygen gas remains in solution and increases the concentration of dissolved oxygen gas in the water. The dissolved oxygen treatment system can be manually configurable wherein the electrode is selectively wired to use either portions of or the whole electrode based upon testing of the water source with a dynamic electrode test system. Alternatively, the dissolved oxygen treatment system can include a smart controller, a variable power supply and a fixed size electrode, wherein the smart controller continually controls the power output to the fixed size electrode so as to control the amount of dissolved oxygen that is generated.

Abstract: A filter cartridge includes a one-piece housing having a port and a filtration element disposed in the housing. The filtration element is a coherent filter block that can be, but is not necessarily, larger in cross dimension than the port. In one embodiment, the filtration element is a coherent filter block that generally conforms to the shape of the hollow interior, but is slightly smaller than the hollow interior so as to define a gap between the filtration element and the inner surface. One method for constructing a filter cartridge includes providing a housing having a hollow interior and at least one port, introducing a granular material into the hollow interior via the port, and transforming the granular material in the hollow material into a coherent filter block. Another method for constructing a filter cartridge includes providing a filtration element in the form of a coherent filter block, and overmolding a housing around the filtration element.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for dispensing articles into a manually placed receiving basket and for controlling the dispensing mechanism to more accurately dispense the desired articles. The dispenser 20 includes a main storage area 39 which can take the form of a bulk storage hopper, an accumulator area 36 into which the dispensed articles are transferred during the "gravimetric" dispensing of the articles. The accumulator area 36 may be formed from the same externally formed walls of the primary storage area 39 and hopper 21. An assembly for controllably transferring articles from the primary area 39 to the accumulator area 36 is also provided. This controllable transfer assembly may include a drum 51 having a plurality (or series) of elevated areas 52 about the circumference 53 of the drum 51, a diverter shape 54 located in the primary storage area 39, and an incline slope shape 37 leading down to the drum 51. A drive assembly 159 is provided to rotate the drum 51 when transferring articles.