Abstract: A contaminant adsorption filter element is provided that includes a self-assembled monolayers on mesoporous supports (SAMMS) contained in a filter element having a plurality of pockets such as a fluted filter media. The plurality of pockets are filled with mesoporous material that is functionalized for a target contaminant. A method of making a filter element having mesoporous material filled flutes is also provided.

Abstract: A water filter for filtering raw water into potable water having a series of media layers in the following order: 1) sand to gravel or coarse silica; 2) zeolite; 3) activated carbon; 4) a second layer of sand to gravel or coarse silica; and 5) a second layer of zeolite is disclosed. Optionally, the filter further has a ceramic media layer, which may have a reactive coating such as calcium hypochloride. Further options include ferruginous latertic clay spheres (FLCS) or iron oxide brick particles, at least one grid, which may be charged, and/or at least one sand arch. The media layers are contained within at least one vessel. A water filtration system and methods for filtering raw water into potable water are also disclosed.

Abstract: A filter device for filtering liquid passing there through, the filter device comprising a housing (101) for securing to a source (3) of the liquid and having a liquid accommodating duct (10) there through for accommodating the liquid. The duct (10) extends from an upstream end for communicating with the liquid source (3), to a downstream end terminating in an outlet (14) through which the liquid is discharged from the filter device, wherein the filter device incorporates a filter element (110, 111, 113) for substantially removing bacteria from the liquid passing there through.

Abstract: A granular filter media dry cell (or filter or bed) for dewatering a liquid composition of water and particulate solids. The liquid composition is applied to the granular filter media to remove water from the liquid composition by passing through the granular filter media with the particular solids collecting on top surface of granular filter media. Water is first allowed to fill from below to just above the top layer of the filter media. A non-porous liner is located on the inner, bottom surface of the container. A drain pipe, having small openings, is located on top of the liner in the valley. A porous layer of large filter media, with the drain pipe therein, is located in the bottom of the container. A grid having open passageways, with fine filter media therein, is located on top thereof. A layer of fine filtrate sand is located on top of the grid.

Abstract: An oil spill containment system for containing oil spills or leaks from an oil containing vessel. In one embodiment, the oil spill containment system comprises a geosynthetic material defining a number of cells, with an oil absorbing material and an oil adsorbing material received in the cells of the geosynthetic material. This system contains oil which spills or leaks from the oil containing vessel while allowing water from rain or snow melt to permeate through the system.

Abstract: A filter medium comprises a mass of elongate, differently orientated, shape-sustaining elongate elements comprising a sponge material, the different orientation of the elements causing these to form a self-supporting open network which provides substantial interstitial space between the elements, this space preferably being larger than the total volume of the elements themselves. The sponge material may be cellulose or PVA. The elements may be tubular, or they may have a reinforcing core to retain their shape. The reinforcing core may be of stiff synthetic plastic material. Filtration apparatus comprises such a mass of filter medium in a tank with ports for admitting air for filtering and exhausting filtered air. The tank may be separated into several sections by perforated screens supporting respective layers of filter medium.

Abstract: A gravity-fed carbon block water filter in one embodiment includes a filter block comprising multiple sub-blocks each comprising filter media walls surrounding and defining a cavity for receiving fluid. Each of the sub-blocks is connected to at least one other of the sub-blocks by filter media of which the filter block is made. In one approach, the filter media includes about 20-90 wt % activated carbon, and about 5-50 wt % binder. In another approach, a lead concentration in a final liter of effluent water filtered by the filter is less than about 10 ?g/liter after about 151 liters (40 gallons) of source water filtration, the source water having a pH of 8.5 and containing 135-165 ppb total lead with 30-60 ppb being colloidal lead greater than 0.1 ?m in diameter. A gravity-fed water filter in other embodiments has no specified shape but achieves a FRAP factor of about 350 or less.

Abstract: A device for dynamic filtration of a pharmaceutical product is provided. The device includes a resin configured to selectively retain one or more components from a mixture having the pharmaceutical product, where the resin is configured to be activated by a medium of the mixture. The device further includes at least one positioning material disposed adjacent to the resin, where the positioning material is configured to provide mechanical support to the resin to at least partially retain the resin in position. In certain embodiments, the device does not require conditioning immediately prior to filtration.

Abstract: A sand filter apparatus (10) for treating water includes a filter retention vessel (16) having an outlet (18) from which filtrate can be supplied. An inlet arrangement (48) is in fluid communication with the filter retention vessel and is connectable to a supply of waste water. A filter is interposed between the inlet arrangement and the outlet. The filter includes two layers of aggregate (12, 36) and a layer of sand (26) interposed between the two layers of aggregate. The sand is at least one of, or a mixture of, granite-based sand and substantially pure silica based sand.

Abstract: Oil adsorbent layers 4 and packed layers 5 are alternately laminated inside a treatment vessel 2, the oil adsorbent layers 4 comprise ten laminated flat sheets 4a composed of polypropylene, and gelled aluminum hydroxide 15 is evenly applied over the surface of each of these sheets 4a on the laminated side. These flat sheets 4a are lipophilic and hydrophobic.

Abstract: A filtration unit for the selective elimination of a target substance from a biological fluid comprising an external envelope, wherein the envelope encloses a filtering medium comprising: an upstream structure for eliminating at least the target substance comprising a stack of layers that are arranged to allow the flow of fluid through the layers in one direction comprising a non-woven material, and particles interposed between at least some of the layers, wherein the particles have an affinity for the target substance; and a downstream structure for retaining the particles comprising at least one layer of porous material.

Abstract: A water treatment apparatus includes a housing comprising multiple housing portions and a plurality of treatment sections disposed within the housing, each treatment section comprising at least one distinct particulate layer. The apparatus is designed so that no water pressure need be applied to force the water through the apparatus, as gravity pulls the water down through the filtering layers. Water may also be force fed through the treatment apparatus; when the water is force fed, the housing portions need not be vertically stacked, but may be configured in any suitable arrangement. The treatment sections are distributed through the various housing portions in logical groups to perform various kinds of filtering. The housing portions are detachable and sealably stackable in multiple configurations, thus passing water through more or fewer treatment layers, depending on the quality of the incoming water.

Abstract: A filter assembly for separating and collecting a layer of particulate matter (e.g., cells) from a liquid containing the particulate matter (e.g., a biological fluid specimen). The filter assembly has a holder and contiguous inner and outer fluid pervious media. The outer fluid pervious medium is attached to the sidewall of the holder. The inner fluid pervious medium is of low fluidic impedance relative to the outer fluid pervious medium. The filter assembly is designed for use in a separation housing that defines two flow paths between inlet and outlet, one directly through the filter and the other around the periphery of the filter. The inlet portion of the housing has a central inlet in a radially sloped surface that faces the filter collection site. A movable suction head is adapted to cooperate with the housing and the filter assembly.

Abstract: An intersecting water conducting filter including a filter main body. An oblique tapered assembly chamber is formed in the filter main body. A sidewall of the assembly chamber is formed with multiple insertion grooves in each of which a water conducting layer is inlaid. Each water conducting layer is composed of a partitioning board and a filtering cotton. The partitioning board of each water conducting layer is formed with one or more conducting holes at different intervals. When water flows through the conducting holes, an intersecting conducting effect is provided for the water flow so that the water can fully flow through the Far-infrared precision ceramic/porcelain particle layer, KDF copper/zinc filtering layer, calcium sulfite layer and coconut shell activated carbon layer installed between the water conducting layers. The filter main body has a first end formed with inner thread for connecting with a shower sprinkler, an intake controller or a water inlet end.

Abstract: A modularized phosphorous filter (P-filter) for installing into open flow channels, such as urban and rural drainage ditches, streams, rivers, bayous, swales, etc. In some embodiments, the P-filter includes a module formed from a container that contains a phosphorous-filtering mass of loose pieces of slag. The container has anchoring extensions for anchoring the P-filter into the sides of the channel into which it is installed. In other embodiments, the P-filter is made of a number of P-filter modules each including a container that contains a phosphorous-filtering mass of loose pieces of slag. The P-filter modules are stacked with, and/or otherwise arranged relative to, one another so as to form a modularized P-filter. Preferably, the P-filter modules are sized to be readily movable by one or more people and/or power equipment, such as a tractor having a backhoe.

Abstract: A dual filter apparatus and a process of making a dual filter apparatus that minimizes disruption to the normal flow pattern through the filter apparatus by forming a porous medium suitable to carry a fluid activator and placing an activator proximate the porous filter medium for in situ fluid treatment and removal of debris from the fluid by screening action of the porous filter medium that entraps debris thereon.

Abstract: Disclosed is a mixer-distributor-collector apparatus for use between beds of solid particles in a fluid-solid contacting vessel. The apparatus includes a solids retaining screen, fluid deflector, passageway, fluid distributor, and flow manipulator. The flow manipulator is a device such as a honeycomb, porous solid, perforated plate, screen, or grid having an open area greater than the open area of the fluid distributor and is located below and spaced apart from the fluid distributor. The apparatus improves the fluid flow characteristics by minimizing or eliminating fluid velocity jets and/or other turbulence which can disturb the downstream particle bed. In an exemplary application, the invention finds use in simulated moving bed (SMB) adsorptive separation processes.

Abstract: The filter cartridge for the water tank of a coffee machine comprises a housing having on both sides a plurality of slot-shaped openings constituting two inlets. For softening the water, the housing of the filter cartridge contains a ion exchange resin. The bottom of the housing comprises a central outlet. The interior of the housing is provided with a plurality of baffle members increasing the length of the flow path of the water between inlets and outlet. The housing comprises an upper portion and a lower portion, sealingly fixed to each other. The baffle members extend essentially in vertical direction and are alternately fixed to the upper and to the lower housing portion. Water passages are provided between the upper housing portion and the baffle members fixed to the lower housing portion, as well as between the lower housing portion and the baffle members fixed to the upper housing portion.

Abstract: To compose a composite filter for obtaining water having a high purity usable as water for life and water for medicine from water in which impurities are mixed. Furthermore, to compose an apparatus for obtaining water having a high purity using the filter. Moreover, to configure the apparatus so as to facilitate exchange of the filter. That is, water having a high purity can be obtained by allowing raw water to permeate through a composite filter which consists of a first layer 11 made of fibers, a second layer 12 made of ion exchange resin, a third layer 14 made of activated carbon and a fourth layer 16 made of an unwoven textile. These first layer, second layer, third layer and fourth layer are configured as separate independent filters respectively so that each filter can be exchanged independently. Furthermore, different kinds of filters can be combined dependently on purposes of use.

Abstract: A water treatment apparatus includes a housing comprising multiple housing portions and a plurality of treatment sections disposed within the housing, each treatment section comprising at least one distinct particulate layer. The apparatus is designed so that no water pressure need be applied to force the water through the apparatus, as gravity pulls the water down through the filtering layers. Water may also be force fed through the treatment apparatus; when the water is force fed, the housing portions need not be vertically stacked, but may be configured in any suitable arrangement. The treatment sections are distributed through the various housing portions in logical groups to perform various kinds of filtering. The housing portions are detachable and sealably stackable in multiple configurations, thus passing water through more or fewer treatment layers, depending on the quality of the incoming water.

Abstract: Presented is a liquid filtering apparatus and method that overcomes the disadvantages encountered with prior bed filtration systems by providing a filtering apparatus that incorporates a super-buoyant filter medium having a specific gravity very substantially lower than that of the process liquid being filtered. This feature enables a majority of the medium to float on top of the process liquid. Due to the significant differences in specific gravity between the media and the process liquid, super-buoyant media produce a highly advantageous means of naturally, gravimetrically separating both clean and contaminated filter media and process liquid into separate “phases”. Under normal filtering operation, the filter media is contained within a filter housing by a bed support near the top of the filter housing, and particulate material is filtered from a process liquid that passes through the housing.

Abstract: A water purification system includes an activated carbon filter and a reverse-osmosis (RO) filter. The activated carbon filter is typically formed with a central aperture that receives an upper portion of a central tube. The RO filter, which is positioned downstream from the carbon filter, may be formed around a perforated section of the central tube. The system further includes a head that is structured to receive a sump that contains the carbon and RO filters, as well as the central tube. An inlet formed in the head enables unpurified feed water to flow into the carbon filter. A first channel, which is defined by an annular surface formed in the carbon filter and an outer surface of the central tube, enables water to flow into the RO filter. A channel within the central tube enables water to flow from the RO filter, through the perforated sections of the central tube, and into an outlet formed within the head.

Abstract: The invention relates to a filter module and an apparatus for the static filtration of liquids using filter cells having deep bed filter layers and using spacer layers. According to the invention the filter module has a stack of n filter cells and n+1 spacer layers for filtrate and at least one channel arranged in the interior of the filter module. In this case n is ?1. The filter cells consist of a draining spacer layer for feed liquid and deep bed filter layers which are arranged in a sandwichlike manner thereto and which are joined to one another at their circumference toward the at least one channel at the rim via a sealing compound and wherein the spacer layers for filtrate are furnished with the sealing compound at the rim on their external circumference.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for purifying a liquid including: reaction chambers that utilizes KDF 85 or KDF 55 or other media in turbulence with the liquid, a first fine collective filtration unit, a first laser photolytic light chamber that utilizes a laser producing ultraviolet light in the 100 to 300 nanometer range passing through a quartz tube that is surrounded by the liquid, a second ultra-fine collective filtration unit, a pharmaceutical grade granular activated carbon filter unit, and a second laser photolytic light chamber that utilizes a laser producing ultraviolet light in the 100 to 300 nanometer range passing through a quartz tube that is surrounded by the liquid wherein the laser light generator is the same one utilized in the first photolytic light chamber, whereby microbes are killed and collected, aromatic ring structures are eliminated and any particulate matter 0.5 microns or larger are removed from the liquid.

Abstract: Hydrophobic polymer particles (e.g., granules or fragments) employed as filter media, e.g., for filtering runoff water, include an antimicrobial compound on exterior surfaces and can reduce proliferation of microbial organisms as well as sorb chemical contaminants from the water. By employing this dual decontamination action, filter systems employing such particles can improve the quality of runoff water (or other contaminated water streams) and reduce the risk presented by potentially harmful organisms.

Abstract: A filtration device that enables efficient cleansing and rinsing of filtration media within a short time, in which filtration sand is not likely to become clogged, and in which unevenness within filtration sand is not likely to occur comprising a screw conveyor 32 provided within a cleansing tank 38, which is suspended from the upper portion of a filtration tank 2, a space 52 being formed between a filter bed 4 and a wire mesh 50, which are vertically separated, filtration media 14 provided on the wire mesh 50, and filtration media 54, having larger particle sizes than the filtration media 14, provided within the space 52 and a plurality of strainers 12 provided in the filter bed 4 and cleansing water spraying pipes 58 provided on an outer wall surrounding the space 52 and after the screw conveyor 32 is rotated and the filtration media 14 has been cleansed, cleansing water is sprayed from a filtered water discharge pipe 46 and the cleansing water spraying pipes 58, to expel contaminants through a raw water su

Abstract: A water treatment device includes a case having an inlet fitting on an underside thereof and a plurality of cylinders overlapped and received in the case. Each cylinder has a tube received therein and four first ribs connected between the tube and an inner periphery of the cylinder so as to define four first partitions for respectively receiving four curved magnetic pieces therein. Three second ribs are located in each tube and define three second partitions in each tube and each second partition has a plurality of mineral particles received therein. A first one of the three second ribs has an upper notch defined in a top edge thereof and a second one of the three second ribs has a bottom notch defined in a bottom edge thereof. A plurality of holes are defined through an area of the closed end of each cylinder and the area is located between the first one of the three second ribs and a third one of the three second ribs.

Abstract: Mineral contaminants are removed from water in a system in which water is sprayed into an air head at the top of a tank through a diffuser and withdrawn through a pick-up tube. A solenoid valve operates to allows air from a compressor to flow into the top of the tank through a shuttle valve which is opened by the air pressure. Simultaneously a drain valve connected to the shuttle valve opens a drain, venting water and air from the tank. The shuttle valve, closed by the solenoid valve, closes the air supply line and connecting the shuttle valve to atmosphere, and pressure within the aeration tank can close the shuttle valve, which causes closing of the drain valve. The part of the valve which opens the drain is made responsive to excess pressure within the air tank to open the drain and so acts as a pressure relief valve.

Abstract: The invention relates to aquarium filters providing improved water filtration without accelerated clogging. The present invention also relates to methods of using such filters.

Abstract: A filter/plug drain assembly for insertion into a drain so as to prevent the passage of selected contaminants through the drain is disclosed. The filter/plug assembly includes stacked layers of filter, filtering/plugging and plugging material. The filter/plug assembly has alternative internal flowpaths configured to provide different plugging speeds when exposed to ongoing low levels of selected contaminants.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for purifying effluent wastewater utilizing electrophoretic cross-flow filtration and electrodeionization. The method first comprises filtering the water in a cross-flow direction with a filter membrane (120) in the presence of an electric field that is operative to drive suspended particles away from a surface of the filter membrane (120). The permeate (134) containing dissolved solids is next passed through a mixture (188) of at least one cation-exchange resin and at least one anion-exchange resin disposed between a cation-selective membrane (184) and an anion-selective membrane (181) in the presence of an electric field. The electric field drives cations in the permeate through the cation-selective membrane (184), and drives anions in the permeate through the anion-selective membrane (181), thereby to form deionized water (192). The apparatus includes cell modules adapted to be used in plate-and-frame or radial flow configurations.

Abstract: An ion exchange resin plant for the demineralizing or softening water with an arrangement that allows the plant to operate continuously. The plant tank is divided into to two separate compartments that work simultaneously. One compartment effects water demineralization while the other compartment regenerates the ion exchanging resins.

Abstract: The invention provides a skin-care liquid preparing unit comprising: a main container which contains raw water; a cartridge container which is placed in the main container, and which contains different kinds of cation exchange resins; and a sprayer which is attached to an upper end mouth portion of the main container, and which has a suction pipe connected to an upper portion of the cartridge container. The unit is configured so as to pass the raw water in the main container through the cartridge container from a lower portion of the cartridge container and spray the water from the spray. In the unit, in order to easily prepare skin-care liquid of a pH value that is useflil for moisture retention and health of the skin, an Na type or K type cation exchange resin layer and an H type cation exchange resin layer are formed to be arranged in upper and lower positions in the cartridge container.

Abstract: A water purification device that can be inserted into a canteen full of impure water that allows a user to drink purified water directly from the canteen, without the need of a pump. The canteen insert is a multistage purification device that has an inlet section at one end and a canteen insert flange mouthpiece at the other end. After the present purification device has been inserted in the canteen, the user tips the bottom of the canteen upward, holding the flange mouthpiece to their mouth and squeezes gently on the sides of the canteen. This forced gravity action pushes water sequentially through the multiple purification sections of the preferred embodiment and subsequently out of the flange mouthpiece for consumption by the user. The canteen flange mouthpiece can also be replaced by a flute straw mouthpiece that allows the user to withdraw water from the canteen via the straw. The same multiple water purification stages are also used in a straw and an inline purifier embodiment.

Abstract: The present invention filters runoff water containing oil and an emulsion of oil and water. A tank receives the inlet water and feeds it to a reservoir which in turn feeds the water to the cylindrical filter cells. The water passing through the filter cells is received by a manifold which feeds the clean water to an outlet. However, when the runoff water has a high rate of flow the reservoir soon overflows and the excess water flows directly to an outlet. The reservoir may be either above or below the filter cells. If above, the water entering the inlet flows downward to a reservoir which is perforated to provide water to the filter cells. If, however, the reservoir is below the filter cells it has a perforated top which feeds the filter cells. The water in the reservoir is under pressure. The filter cells may be cylindrical. They have an inner vertical cylindrical passageway surrounded by one or more cylindrical layers. One filtering media is in said inner passageway.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a pump for flow rates from about 1 to 1000 nl/min in which liquid transport takes place by evaporation of a transport liquid through a wettable membrane. The pumps according to the invention are particularly suitable for applications in the field of medical diagnostics such as microdialysis or ultrafiltration.

Abstract: A water treatment unit for treating water in a reservoir of a coffee maker or a container water treatment system. The water treatment unit has several particulate finely divided water treatment media therein and it includes a housing which has transverse dimensions which are substantially greater than its height to cause the water to flow through the housing and the media therein in a transverse direction. Such transverse flow results in a substantially reduced pressure drop across the media with an increased water flow rate which permits a substantial reduction in size or elimination of one of two water reservoirs.

Abstract: A single housing comprising a diluent inlet, a solution outlet, and a plurality of discrete reagent beds comprising at least one reagent in dry form, wherein said reagent is present in the discrete reagent bed in a proportion sufficient for production of a complete hemodialysate solution.

Abstract: A liquid treating apparatus includes a treating tank having at least two walls formed with a liquid inlet and a liquid outlet through each of which a liquid to be treated flows, respectively, and a filtering layer unit including an antibacterial filtering layer, an adsorptive filtering layer and a filtering layer, the filtering layer unit being disposed between the liquid inlet and outlet.

Abstract: A device and process for injecting a diverted fluid into a simulated moving bed comprises a vessel containing beds of adsorbant Ai separated by plates Pi for distributing and extracting fluids, each plate comprising at least one pannel, each pannel comprising a single chamber Ci for distributing, mixing and/or extracting fluid, and a bypass circuit placing a plate in communication with a bypass line (Li, j). The device also comprises means (14, Voi,j, 20) for bringing at least one chamber (Ci) into communication with at least one bypass line (Li, j); one end of the bypass line is connected with said chamber Ci of a pannel of plate Pi and the other end communicates with a region (Ri+1) of a pannel of the distributor plate Pi+1, said region being distinct from the distribution chamber Ci+1. Application to separating n-paraffins containing 10 to 13 carbon atoms from sweetened kerosene type feeds.

Abstract: An underwater filtration operator which can be suspended in a river, lake, pond or other water body to filter water from the water body. The underwater filtration operator may be electrically charged to discharge impurities in the water body and increase filtering efficiency and the operator includes a housing having a selected configuration and divided into one or more filtration units, each of which includes a filter medium for filtering water from the water body. A pump is provided in the housing for receiving the filtered water from the filtration units and pumping the filtered water to a collection tank or dispenser or directly to an end user or to a reverse-osmosis water filtration unit for further filtration.

Abstract: A self contained filter for a recirculating tank is used in a septic system. The self contained filter is a mattress-like filter made of woven material encapsulating aggregate material therein. The weave of the mattress-like woven material is smaller than the aggregate material. In another aspect, at least one mattress-like filter is placed within a tank.

Abstract: A clarification apparatus for liquid, characterized in that it has a first filtration layer (3) and a second filtration layer (4) and, arranged between the layers, an absorbing agent (5) comprising basic magnesium sulfate and magnesium hydroxide, wherein a liquid to be treated containing fine particles is passed through the absorbing agent (5), to thereby aggregate the fine particles in the liquid to be treated, and then the resulting large particles are caught by the second filtration layer (4) and wherein a liquid to be treated containing a heavy metal ion is passed through the absorbing agent (5), to thereby react the metal ion with a hydroxyl ion of the absorbing agent and solidify the metal ion, followed by aggregation, and then the resulting large particles are caught by the second filtration layer (4); and an apparatus which further has an electrode device capable of generating an OH ion, wherein the electrically generated OH ions the OH radicals of the absorbing agent (5) and the heavy metal ions reac

Abstract: The invention relates to methods of treating contaminated fluids especially formalin. The device being able to pass a large volume of solid, lipid and cell contaminated material through it and being stable from shipping problems.

Abstract: The invention relates to aquarium filters providing improved water filtration without accelerated clogging. The present invention also relates to methods of using such filters.

Abstract: A separation apparatus, in particular intended for separation of amalgam from water, includes a pre-settling chamber, a distribution chamber and a fine settling zone. The fine settling zone includes a plate package, with a plurality of plates fixed with spacing, forming settling channels. The plates can be machined so that they are provided with a large number of fine bumps and recesses.

Abstract: A single housing includes a diluent inlet, a solution outlet, and a plurality of discrete reagent beds comprising at least one reagent in dry form, wherein the reagent is present in the discrete reagent bed in a proportion sufficient for production of a complete hemodialysate solution.

Abstract: An improved filter device for the removal of contaminants from water and method of using same. The present invention comprises an outer housing having an inlet at one end for water to be purified and an outlet for purified water at an opposing end thereof. An inner filter is situated within and in fluid communication with the outer housing to remove contaminants from the water. Within the inner filter is an inner filter housing. Within the inner filter housing is at least one uniform region of dispersed granular copper media. A filter pad is positioned within the inner filter housing. Further, a region of granular activated carbon is positioned opposite the uniform region by the filter pad.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a water conditioning apparatus that is compact and easily recharged without removal from the installation location. In one embodiment, the present invention relates to a water conditioning apparatus that is generally rectangular in shape and is configured to fit into rectangularly shaped spaces of limited size. In another embodiment, the water conditioning apparatus is configured to fit in a corner location. In still another embodiment, the water conditioning apparatus is of modular configuration and includes a self-contained selector valve system.

Abstract: A water treatment apparatus including a housing comprising multiple housing portions and a plurality of treatment sections disposed within the housing, each treatment section comprising at least one distinct particulate layer. The apparatus is designed so that no water pressure need be applied to force the water through the apparatus, as gravity pulls the water down through the filtering layers. Water may also be force fed through the treatment apparatus; when the water is force fed, the housing portions need not be vertically stacked, but may be configured in any suitable arrangement. The treatment sections are distributed through the various housing portions in logical groups to perform various kinds of filtering. The housing portions are detachable and sealably stackable in multiple configurations, thus passing water through more or fewer treatment layers, depending on the quality of the incoming water.