Abstract: A system for removing debris from a surface of a photolithographic mask is provided. The system includes an atomic force microscope with a tip supported by a cantilever. The tip includes a surface and a nanometer-scaled coating disposed thereon. The coating has a surface energy lower than the surface energy of the photolithographic mask.

Abstract: A complete sanitary system for any toilet site area which allows for the utilization of pressurized domestic running water transferred through a hose connected to a water valve diverting structure further connected to the main toilet domestic water feed line to that particular toilet's water closet. A floor structure with the aforementioned toilet mounted to its top surface side provides the structure to collect, retain and drain the spent waste water from the hose after the water has been used to cleanse the toilet site area. An alternative drainage location in the retention basin of the floor structure with coinciding plumbing piping method allows for a possible solid waste contamination scenario by an overflow toilet or otherwise to be effectively transferred directly into the main sewer pipe.

Abstract: A system for treating water for subsequent consumption by animals. Illustratively, the system includes a wastewater treatment facility configured to treat wastewater effluent from an egg washer for subsequent consumption by egg producing birds. Further illustratively, stormwater run off collected from the facility is treated for subsequent consumption by the birds.

Abstract: A dishwasher for treating dishes according to at least one cycle of operation and methods for operating a dishwasher. The dishwasher may have a tub at least partially defining a treating chamber, a rotatable sprayer, a drive system operably coupled to the rotatable sprayer to effect movement of the rotatable sprayer, and a liquid recirculation system for recirculating sprayed liquid. The dishwasher may have a sump including a sensor enclosure, a first sensor element located within the sensor enclosure and configured to sense at least a portion of the rotatable sprayer, and a controller configured to receive output from the first sensor element and control the drive system and the liquid recirculation system to rotate the rotatable sprayer while selectively supplying liquid to the rotatable sprayer.

Abstract: Methods of operating a dishwasher having a treating chamber, a sump fluidly coupled to the treating chamber, a sprayer for spraying liquid in the treating chamber, a recirculation pump fluidly coupled to the sump and the sprayer to recirculate the sprayed liquid from the sump to the sprayer, and a reuse tank for storing liquid. The methods remove and store liquid that do not include sedimented soil particles.

Abstract: A method for cleaning turbines on-line comprises extracting water from air directly at a turbine site having a turbine and treating the air and the extracted water to obtain extremely clean water having a conductivity of less than 3 microsiemens/cm. This extremely clean water is then fed to the turbine to clean the turbine blades while the turbine is on-line. Preferably the extremely clean water is fed through a deionizer before being fed to the turbine.

Abstract: A method for operating a dishwasher that includes a plurality of water circuits in which rinsing liquid is circulated according to a program control unit. In an exemplary method, the circulation of the rinsing liquid results in the passage of the rinsing liquid through at least one filter element that captures dirt entrained with the rinsing liquid. In response to a selected one of a program command provided by the program control unit and a detection of a defined degree of soiling of the filter element with dirt, the method includes circulating the rinsing liquid in a second water circuit in coordination with disposing the filter element in a second operating state thereof in which dirt can be dislodged from the filter element.

Abstract: A method for cleaning a precision component which includes the steps of immersing the component in a heated solvating agent disposed in a pre-clean module tank to thereby remove an adherent contaminant; treating the component with a rinsing solvent to remove any remaining contaminants and residual solvating agent in a separate rinse degreaser whereby contaminants removed from the component collect in the rinse degreaser; and removing contaminated solvent from the rinse degreaser to a micro-still to separate the contaminants from the rinse solvent and direct the purified rinse solvent to the rinse degreaser. An apparatus is also provided for cleaning contaminants from a precision component including a pre-clean module tank containing a heated solvating agent, a degreaser containing a rinsing solvent, and a micro-still which separates the contaminants from the rinsing solvent and directs the purified rinsing solvent to the rinse degreaser.

Abstract: A microbubble cleaning system includes a tank in which a solution into which a product is immersed to clean the product is stored; supplying means for putting microbubbles into the solution and supplying the solution that includes the microbubbles into the tank; oil separating apparatus that collects bubbles that have risen to a surface of the solution stored in the tank as a result of cleaning the product, as well as a portion of the solution that is near the surface of the solution, in order to separate oil from the solution; generating means for generating a surface flow of the solution near the surface of the solution in order to remove the bubbles that have risen to the surface of the solution in the tank; and removing means for removing carbon dioxide from air that is used to generate the microbubbles by the supplying means.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vacuumable gel and the gel use to decontaminate surfaces, for example, radioactive decontamination. The gel is composed of a colloidal solution comprising: from 5 to 25 wt % of an inorganic viscosity modifier; from 0.01 to 0.2 wt % of a surfactant, preferably, a surfactant in an amount strictly below 0.1 wt %, wt % relative to the total weight of the gel; from 0.5 to 7 mol, per liter of gel, of an inorganic acid or base; and optionally from 0.05 to 1 mol, per liter of gel, of an oxidizer having a standard redox potential Eo greater than 1.4 V in a strong acid medium or of the reduced form of this oxidizer; the remainder being water. The gel may be applied, by spraying, to a surface to be decontaminated, and removed in the form of dry residues by suction or brushing after drying.

Abstract: An apparatus and method to remove water content in organic solvents characterized in that it comprises treatment tank 10 to which organic solvent is introduced, solvent inlet section 1 that introduces the organic solvent, solvent outlet section 2 from which the treated organic solvent is discharged, inert gas inlet section 3 from which inert gas is introduced, treatment gas outlet section 4 from which gas is discharged, cooling treatment tank 20 in which the treatment gas is cooled and the gas and liquid are separated, treatment gas inlet section 5 from which the treatment gas is introduced, recovered liquid outlet section 6 from which the separated liquid organic solvent is discharged, and waste gas outlet section 7 from which the separated gas is discharged, and that the water content in the organic solvent is removed by having the inert gas flow over the entire liquid surface of the organic solvent inside treatment tank 10.

Abstract: A mobile cleaning device for cleaning parts of a burner is provided. The mobile cleaning device includes a closable pressure vessel, wherein a nozzle end of the burner is located inside the pressure vessel. An end of the burner, which is used for supplying fuel and is arranged opposite from the nozzle end, is located outside the pressure vessel. Further, a method for cleaning parts of the burner is provided.

Abstract: A method that uses an L-?-dipalmitoleoyl-phosphatidylcholine (DPPC) surfactant based device that reacts with a substance in a known manner, to detect a substance of interest or to extract a substance of interest from a material is provided. The principles of the present invention are particularly useful in detecting/measuring a substance that is harmful to a human, and also to extracting NACL from saltwater.

Abstract: An engine wash system includes a manifold for delivering wash liquid to an engine. The manifold includes an internal engine contour segment shaped to correspond with at least a portion of the engine case at the inlet; a wash delivery segment connected to the internal engine contour segment which follows the engine case curvature in an axial direction and hooks around an outside of the engine case at the inlet; an inlet on the wash delivery segment to receive wash fluid; a nozzle on the wash delivery portion directed to spray into the compressor inlet of the engine; and a guide extending from the pipe and shaped to align the manifold with respect to the engine so that the nozzle sprays into the engine aft of the inlet particle separator.

Abstract: A method and a device are for cleaning drill cuttings comprising cuttings and oil-based drilling mud, wherein a significant proportion of the drilling mud is removed from the drill cuttings. The method comprises: disposing the drill cuttings in a receptacle; vibrating the receptacle until particle fluidization of the drill cuttings takes place; maintaining the drill cuttings in a particle-fluidized state during the subsequent treatment; adding a soap to the drill cuttings allowing, the soap to flow through the drill cuttings whilst the drill cuttings are particle-fluidized; draining liquid from the receptacle; and then emptying cleaned drill cuttings out of the receptacle.

Abstract: Systems and methods for dry cleaning articles using siloxane solvents are provided. In the systems and methods according to the present invention, the siloxane solvent suspends impurities extracted from the articles being cleaned, and the system filters off the impurities, thereby cleaning the articles.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for cleaning a substrate (e.g., wafer) in the fabrication of semiconductor devices utilizing electrorheological (ER) and magnetorheological (MR) fluids to remove contaminant residual particles from a surface of the substrate are provided.

Abstract: A substrate treating method for treating substrates with a treating liquid includes a deionized water cleaning step for supplying deionized water from an injection pipe and cleaning the substrates inside a cleaning tank with deionized water, then a replacing step for injecting a solvent from a solvent injector and replacing the deionized water with the solvent, a separating and removing step for switching a channel to a branch pipe and causing a separator to remove the deionized water from the treating liquid, and an adsorbing and removing step for switching the channel to another branch pipe and causing a deionized water remover to adsorb and remove the deionized water from the treating liquid.

Abstract: A cleaning system is provided which includes a wash floor, a side trough adjacent the wash floor, which is positioned to receive waste from the wash floor and is attached to a filtering system. A method of using this cleaning system is also provided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for generating and applying a sanitizing liquid. The method includes moving a mobile floor cleaning device along a floor and electrochemically activating a liquid on the mobile floor cleaning device by passing the liquid through a functional generator having first and second electrode chambers that are separated by an ion exchange membrane such that the liquid activated in the first electrode chamber comprises O3 molecules. Substantially all of the liquid activated in the first and second electrode chambers are dispensed from the device within 5 seconds of the time at which the liquids are activated by the functional generator without an intermediate step of storing either of the liquids produced in the first or second electrode chambers. At least some of the dispensed liquid is recovered from the floor with a recovery device carried by the mobile floor cleaning device.

Abstract: A movable trash container cleaning system includes a vehicle with a spray booth and a movable access door for enclosing the spray booth. A manipulating arm is provided for engaging and lifting a container disposed outside a vehicle and inverting a container inside the spray booth. A sprayer is provided and disposed for spraying the fluid onto inside surfaces of the inverted container to clean the container and dislodge the solids. A stationary platform is provided for receiving the dislodge solids wash from the inverted container and the ram packer moves to dislodge the solids from the platform into a storage chamber in the vehicle.

Abstract: A closed-loop heat exchanger pipework cleaning apparatus includes a water conditioning apparatus and a pipework conditioning apparatus. The water conditioning apparatus is adapted to receive water and to remove particulate contaminants from the water and to kill microorganisms in the water, to produce conditioned water, and to deliver the conditioned water into a closed-loop pipework system of a heat exchanger until the closed-loop pipework system is substantially full of water. The pipework conditioning apparatus is adapted to receive a proportion of the water circulating through the closed-loop pipework system and to remove further particulate contaminants from the water to produce cleaned water, and to return the cleaned water into the closed-loop pipework system.

Abstract: Provided are an apparatus and a method of cleaning a substrate. The apparatus includes a substrate supporting unit supporting a substrate, a container surrounding the substrate supporting unit and collecting an organic solvent scattered from the substrate, and a fluid supplying unit provided on one side of the container and spraying a liquid organic solvent with bubbles to the substrate. The fluid supplying unit includes a nozzle head ejecting the organic solvent to the substrate, an organic solvent supplying line supplying the organic solvent from an organic solvent storage tank to the nozzle head, and a bubble providing element provided on the organic solvent supplying line and providing bubbles to the liquid organic solvent.

Abstract: A pickling process for descaling metal includes a two-stage filtering process to remove pickling liquor fog, mist, and/or vapors from a gas collected during the descaling process. The process includes a two-stage filtering arrangement that includes a first stage filter, which is arranged to remove a liquid phase of the pickling liquor from the gas, and a second stage filter, which is arranged to remove a gaseous phase of the pickling liquor the said gas. The recovered pickling liquor can advantageously be recycled for reuse because it is recovered in a relatively higher concentration that has heretofore been possible.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to fluid filtering systems and methods for use during semiconductor processing. One or more embodiments are directed to fluid filtering systems and methods for filtering ions and particles from a fluid as the fluid is being provided to a semiconductor wafer processing tool, such as to a semiconductor wafer cleaning tool.

Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning and conditioning the surface of a semiconductor substrate such as wafer includes a rotatable chuck, a chamber, a rotatable tray for collecting cleaning solution with one or more drain outlets, multiple receptors for collecting multiple cleaning solutions, a first motor to drive chuck, and a second motor to drive the tray. The drain outlet in the tray can be positioned directly above its designated receptor located under the drain outlet. The cleaning solution collected by the tray can be guided into designated receptor. One characteristic of the apparatus is having a robust and precisely controlled cleaning solution recycle with minimum cross contamination.

Abstract: Provided is an example of bin washing system. The bin washing system may include a first solid-liquid separating device, a second solid-liquid separating device, a pump, and an inlet structure. The first solid-liquid separating device may be configured to receive a first solid-liquid suspension having first solids and second solids, separate the first solids from the second solids, and dispatch a second solid-liquid suspension having the second solids. The second solid-liquid separating device may be configured to receive the second solid-liquid suspension, capture the second solids, and dispatch cleaned water. The pump may be configured to pump cleaning water to the first solid-liquid separating device. The inlet structure may be configured to receive waste water that includes the first and second solids. The bin washing system may be configured to combine the cleaning water pumped by the pump with the waste water to form the first solid-liquid suspension.

Abstract: n-Propyl bromide based solvent compositions and methods for cleaning articles using said solvent compositions are provided. Such solvent composition comprise about 50 weight percent to 99 weight percent of n-propyl bromide, about 0.5 weight percent to 50 weight percent of alcohol, and at least 0.005 weight percent of a surfactant. Such solvent compositions remove at least one of water or water soluble contaminants. The solvent compositions and methods of the present invention are useful as a degreaser and/or cleaner in both for cold cleaning and hot rinsing systems for cleaning articles.

Abstract: A method of washing a debris carrying item on a wash pad that includes placing the item on the wash pad, using wash fluid to remove the debris from the item, and collecting at least one of the wash fluid and debris in a catch trough disposed in fluid communication with the wash floor. The method also includes moving at least one of the wash fluid and debris to an evacuator disposed in fluid communication with the catch trough, and elevating debris from a collection height to a dump height for dumping. The evacuator substantially removes wash fluid received from the catch trough.

Abstract: A process chamber for processing semi-conductor wafers. The chamber includes at least one rotor within the process chamber. The rotor is adapted to receive and/or process semi-conductor wafers. The top of the process chamber also includes a tiltable rim. This rim tilts from a non-inclined position to an inclined position. The wafers may be loaded into and unloaded from the process chamber when the rim is in its inclined position.

Abstract: Methods for cleaning articles using n-propyl bromide-based solvent compositions are provided. According to one method, an article to be cleaned is contacted with a solvent composition comprising about 50 weight percent to about 99 weight percent n-propyl bromide and about 0.5 weight percent to about 50 weight percent of an alcohol. Such methods remove at least one of water or water soluble contaminants. Such methods are useful as a degreaser and/or cleaner in both cold cleaning and hot rinsing systems for cleaning articles.

Abstract: A robotic pool or tank cleaner is propelled by water jets, the direction of which is controlled by the direction of rotation of a reversible pump motor that is horizontally mounted in the pool cleaner housing that has a propeller attached to either end of the motor drive shaft which projects from opposing ends of the motor body, each of the propellers being positioned in, or near a water jet discharge conduit that terminates in discharge ports at opposite ends of the housing. Each discharge conduit has a pressure-sensitive flap valve downstream of the respective propellers. When the propellers rotate in one direction, the water is drawn through one or more openings in the base plate, passes through one or more filter assemblies associated with the pool cleaner and is discharged through one of the discharge ports as a water jet of sufficient force to propel the pool cleaner.

Abstract: A dishwashing apparatus and a methodology are provided for washing dishware using electrolyzed water to provide alkaline and acidic water for wash and rinse cycles. The water used at the beginning of a pre-wash stage is repeatedly used in plural pre-wash cycles and filtered through sediment and oil filtration between pre-wash cycles. Water from a final rinse cycle is saved for use for future pre-wash cycles. The sediment and oil filtration filter are reversely flushed to regenerate the filtration systems.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for liquid treatment of wafer-shaped articles comprises a process unit comprising a chuck for holding a wafer-shaped article in a predetermined orientation, and a liquid recovery system that receives used process liquid recovered from the process unit. The liquid recovery system supplies process liquid to a dispenser in the process unit. A supply of fresh process liquid supplies fresh process liquid to the liquid recovery system and also supplies fresh process liquid to a dispenser in the process unit while bypassing the liquid recovery system.

Abstract: A substrate treating apparatus is provided which includes a treatment container which provides a space in which a substrate is washed; a substrate support member which is included in the space and supports the substrate; a spray member which selectively sprays a plurality of fluids on the substrate seated on the substrate support member. The treatment container comprises a plurality of recovery containers the entrances of which are stacked in an up-and-down direction to receive a fluid within the space; a first elevation member which moves the plurality of recovery containers in an up-and-down direction; and a second elevation member which relatively moves a part of the plurality of recovery containers in an up-and-down direction with respect to the remaining recovery containers.

Abstract: A cleaning device (1) performs a cleaning of an article by blowing a cleaning medium (5) by an air stream onto the article (4). The cleaning device (1) includes a cleaning tank (6) that forms a space for the cleaning medium (5) to be blown, which includes an opening; a holding unit (3) that holds the article (4) at the opening; a pool member (19) that is arranged on an outer edge of the opening with a clearance between the pool member (19) and the article (4); and a cleaning-medium collecting unit (8) that brings the cleaning medium (5) leaked out of the outer edge and accumulated in the clearance back into the cleaning tank (6).

Abstract: A system and method for control of water content in a strip bath. The method to control water content in a solvent bath used for cleaning of semiconductor parts in the back end of semiconductor manufacturing requires addition of water to replace evaporated water. This is done by periodically adjusting a conductivity setpoint at least in part based on the elapsed chemical bathlife and at least in part based on the number of semiconductor parts that have been processed in the bath. The conductivity of the strip bath solution is then continuously measured (as by using an electrodeless conductivity probe). Water is added (as by a DI water injection system) into the bath solution whenever the solvent conductivity falls below the conductivity set point.

Abstract: Solar system cleaning apparatuses and methods of cleaning solar systems are described. A solar system cleaning apparatus includes a vehicle. A first basin is mounted on the vehicle, the first basin to supply a cleaning medium to a solar module. A second basin is mounted on the vehicle, the second basin to collect the cleaning medium from the solar module. A filter is coupled to the first basin and the second basin, the filter to transfer the cleaning medium from the second basin to the first basin.

Abstract: A composition for treating a water system to remove scale, microorganisms and biofilm, and corrosion by-products. The composition comprises chelating agents and a surfactant. Depending on the water system being treated, the composition may be a solid dissolved by water in the system being treated or may be a pre-mixed foam or aerosol. A treatment system particularly suitable for flowing water systems comprises a container for holding such a treatment composition and mixing it with a portion of water from the water system, a filter for removing solids dislodged during treatment, and a corrosion monitor. A method for using such a treatment composition comprises draining substantially all existing water in the water system, filling or rinsing the system with fresh water, contacting the treatment composition with substantially all parts of the water system, and draining the treatment composition from the system before resuming normal operations.

Abstract: A method and system for removing hydrocarbon deposits from a heat exchanger tube bundle using an organic solvent. After contact with a heat exchanger tube bundle, the contaminated organic solvent may be treated to remove solids, base waters, and/or suspended hydrocarbons, and then again contacted with a heat exchanger tube bundle for the removal of hydrocarbon deposits. This allows for the removal of hydrocarbon deposits from a heat exchanger tube bundle in an efficient and environmentally friendly manner. The treatment of the heat exchanger tube bundle is also preferably performed using a method and system by which, through contact of the heat exchanger tube bundle with an organic solvent, a large percentage of hydrocarbon deposits are removed from the heat exchanger tube bundle in a short period of time.

Abstract: A cleaning agent or a rinsing agent having no flash point which comprises a chlorine-free fluorine-containing compound have a vapor pressure at 20° C. of 1.33×103 Pa or more and one or more components having a vapor pressure at 20° C. less than 1.33×103 Pa and optionally an additive such as an antioxidant; a method for cleaning which comprises cleaning with the cleaning agent and rinsing and/or vapor cleaning utilizing a vapor being generated by boiling the cleaning agent or a condensate thereof; a method for separating a soil which comprises contacting a cleaning agent in a cleaning tank with a condensate of the vapor of the cleaning agent in a soil separating tank, to thereby continuously separate and remove a soil contained in the cleaning agent; and a cleaning apparatus.

Abstract: A dishwasher includes a plurality of water circuits in which rinsing liquid is circulated according to a program control unit. The circulation of the rinsing liquid results in the passage of the rinsing liquid through at least one filter element that captures dirt entrained with the rinsing liquid. The filter element may include a plurality of thread elements disposable between a dirt capture state in which the thread elements are under tension, whereupon the thread elements intercept dirt entrained with the rinsing liquid while the rinsing liquid passes through the thread elements, and a relaxed state, in which the thread elements are disposed under less tension than in the dirt capture state to facilitate release of intercepted dirt from the thread elements, whereby the at least one filter element can be cleared of intercepted dirt.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for reclaiming an enriched radioisotope starting material from a target body. The system and method enable reclaiming the starting material in a relatively short time (e.g., several hours) after the target body's bombardment with energetic particles, greatly simplifying the target body's chemical processing, as well as reducing the cost of such processing (e.g., reducing the need for costly long-term storage). Specifically, a chemical protective layer is disposed between a radioisotope starting material and a base material of the target body. After the target body is irradiated with a suitable source (e.g., particle accelerator), then the irradiated radioisotope starting material can be removed without removing the base material due to the protection provided by the chemical protective layer. The system and method also enable the operator to obtain three different radioisotopes in a single bombardment of the target body, further reducing cost of radioisotope production.

Abstract: An apparatus determines soiling of an object and includes a rinsing zone for rinsing off dirt particles built up on an object with a fluid. A collecting arrangement includes a retaining device for capturing the dirt particles rinsed off from the object and a measuring device measures a physical parameter of the captured dirt particles. A transport system moves the dirt particles captured with the retaining device to the measuring device to permit measuring the physical parameter of the captured dirt particles.

Abstract: Provided is a cleaning system including an electrolysis unit that electrolyses a sulphuric acid solution, thereby generating persulphuric acid, an electrolytic solution storage unit that stores the electrolyzed sulphuric acid solution, a first circulation line that circulates the sulphuric acid solution between the electrolysis unit and the electrolytic solution storage unit, a cleaning device that cleans a material subject to cleaning by using the sulphuric acid solution containing the persulphuric acid, a heating unit that heats the sulphuric acid solution used for the cleaning device, a waste liquid storage unit that stores the sulphuric acid solution used by the cleaning device, a second circulation line that transports the sulphuric acid solution electrolyzed by the electrolysis unit via the heating unit to the cleaning device, and circulates the sulphuric acid solution used by the cleaning device for the cleaning via the waste liquid storage unit, and a third circulation line that transports the sulphur

Abstract: A cleaning system is provided which includes a wash floor, a side trough adjacent the wash floor, which is positioned to receive waste from the wash floor and is attached to a filtering system. A method of using this cleaning system is also provided.

Abstract: To minimize harmful effects on operation due to scale adhesion while accommodating increase in the amount of generated chlorine bypass dust and suppress facility cost and running cost including medical agent cost low when incineration ash and dust contained in extracted cement kiln combustion gas are subject to water treatment. [Means for Solving Problems] A water treatment system 1 comprising: a dissolution tank 32 for dissolving a fly ash A in a water W; a dissolution tank 22 for dissolving a dust D contained in combustion gas extracted from a kiln exhaust gas passage running from an inlet end of a cement kiln to a bottom cyclone in a water W; and a vertical filter press 11 for separately filtering a slurry S2 fed from the dissolution tank 32 and a slurry S1 fed from the dissolution tank 22 from each other.

Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning a detector comprising a housing and a bowl connected to the housing having a detector chamber adapted for enclosing a detector to be cleaned, a contacting surface positioned on the bowl, and one of more air nozzles positioned within the detector chamber for directing one or more bursts of compressed air at a detector to clean the detector, and a fan positioned within the housing operable to draw air within the detector chamber into a filter, and a dust collector for containing dirt and debris dislodged from a detector during the cleaning operation.

Abstract: Methods and systems for employing softened acidified water sources from an acid regenerated ion exchange resins are disclosed. Various methods of dispensing and/or using the softened acidic water generated by an acid regenerate-able ion exchange resin are disclosed to beneficially reduce spotting, filming and scale buildup on treated surfaces, reduce and/or eliminate the need for polymers, including water conditioning agents, threshold reagents and/or rinse aids, and using protons generated in the acidic water effluent for triggering events useful in various cleaning applications.

Abstract: Methods and systems for acid regeneration of ion exchange resins are disclosed. Acid resins designed for use in a variety of cleaning application using a water source use a treated, softened, acidic water source according to the invention. Various methods of using the softened acidic water generated by acid regenerate-able ion exchange resins are disclosed to beneficially reduce spotting, filming and scale buildup on treated surfaces, reduce and/or eliminate the need for polymers, threshold reagents and/or rinse aids, and using protons generated in the acidic water effluent for triggering events useful in various cleaning applications.