Abstract: A method for producing parts comprising the steps of: preparing a thermoplastic composite base; preparing build up areas on the base for in situ molded features to form a kit; inserting the kit into a compression mold; applying heat and pressure to the kit in the compression mold; and removing the finished part from the compression mold.

Abstract: Methods and systems for purifying water are provided in which the treated water is softer than the influent water and is mildly corrosive or non-corrosive. In one embodiment, the influent water is treated using a membrane configured to soften the treated water relative to the influent water while leaving the treated water mildly corrosive or non-corrosive. In alternative embodiments, the influent water is treated using a membrane to generate the treated water. The treated water is mixed in a mixing device with a stream of untreated water such that the resulting stream of mixed water is softer than the influent water and is mildly corrosive or non-corrosive.

Abstract: A water-purification system is provided. The water-purification system includes a bacteriostatic filter including a bacteriostatic agent therein and a membrane filter fluidically coupled downstream of the bacteriostatic filter and configured to block the passage of cations and anions therethrough.

Abstract: System and method for conditioning water. In one embodiment, a softening membrane selectively rejects hardness ions in a supply of water. In another embodiment, the softening membrane is used in conjunction with a purification device configured to remove impurities from a portion of output flow of softened permeate water. In a third embodiment, the softening membrane is used in conjunction with a conditioning agent dosing unit configured to supply at least one conditioning agent to an input flow of water entering the membrane to prevent membrane fouling. In still another embodiment, a water quality monitoring unit is configured to monitor water quality of the output flow of softened permeate water and a portion of concentrate water recycled back through the softening membrane.

Abstract: An organic liquid evaporation system is disclosed. The organic liquid evaporation system comprises a housing having at least one inlet and at least one outlet. At least a first evaporator plate radially extending from a sidewall of the housing, and at least a second evaporator plate radially extending from a sidewall of the housing define a serpentine flow path within the housing. A heating source is in thermal communication with the first evaporator plate and the second evaporator plate, wherein the heating source provides heat to the first and second evaporator plates to evaporate organic liquid introduced within the inlet to produce a vapor through the outlet. A method for preparing powder pre-forms and oxide soot using the organic liquid evaporation system is also disclosed.

Abstract: System and method for purifying and recycling spent brine in a water softener are provided. The system may be made up of a cation exchange resin tank fluidly coupled for passing spent brine comprising monovalent and divalent ions. A fluid mixer valve is coupled to the resin tank and to a water tank to dilute the spent brine to a desired concentration of a regenerant salt, e.g., NaCl. An ion-separation device is fluidly coupled to the fluid mixer valve to receive the diluted spent brine and separate the diluted spent brine into first and second streams. The first of the streams comprises monovalent ions and the second of the streams comprises divalent ions.