Abstract: An apparatus for treating a fluid to remove at least part of a component or components from the fluid in a reciprocating flow ion exchange system. The apparatus includes a vessel having a central holding chamber that is enclosed at each end by an end cap. A packed bed of ion exchange particles is held within the central holding chamber through the use of upper and lower retaining means so that a particle free cavity is created above and below the particle bed. The flow of fluid is distributed substantially evenly across the end of the particle bed by the pressure drop through the bed when one of the particle free cavities is filled with pressurized fluid.

Abstract: Washing water containing hydroxyl ions (H.sub.3 O.sub.2.sup.-) and hydronium ions (H.sub.3 O.sub.2.sup.-) is prepared by connecting soft water generators (10), (12) each having an ion exchange resin (32), and an ion generator having a tourmaline mixture of tourmaline and a metal, and passing water through the ion exchange resin (32) and the tourmaline mixture (46). Water emulsified by removing stains such as of oils with the washing water is a kind of O/W emulsion wherein the hydroxyl ions (H.sub.3 O.sub.2.sup.-) and hydronium ions (H.sub.3 O.sub.2.sup.-) have oil wrapped therein. The aqueous O/W emulsion is mixed with hard water such as city water, whereupon the hydroxyl ions (H.sub.3 O.sub.2.sup.-) and hydronium ions (H.sub.3 O.sub.2.sup.-) covering the oil therewith are converted to water, thereby permitting the oil and oil-free water to be separated from each other.

Abstract: A device to filter water having a tubular housing with seven chambers therein divided by dividing members and filter screens. The first chamber includes a granular activated carbon filtering medium, the second chamber includes a mixed bed ion exchange resin filter medium, the third chamber being empty, the fourth chamber includes an iodinated filtering medium, the fifth chamber includes a granular activated carbon filtering medium, the sixth chamber has an anion exchange resin filtering medium and the seventh chamber, being adjacent to the sixth chamber and to the outlet port, includes a carbon filtering medium. A faucet adapter is removably connected to the source of water and it is designed to limit the water pressure applied to the device.

Abstract: A gravity percolation water purifier assembly. The assembly includes a covered storage container having a dispensing spigot. A flanged filtration chamber is supported beneath the cover to receive untreated water. A porous filter cartridge is sealed to an outlet port. A purifier cartridge is threaded to the outlet port and supports multiple fibrous spacers and treatment chambers containing beds of treatment media, including a multi-valent iodine media, granular activated carbon, and a halogen scavenger media. In one purification cartridge, water passes from multiple inlet ports at an inlet bore through adjoining concentric chambers and to the storage container via outlet ports at the periphery of the purifier cartridge.

Abstract: A filter for disinfecting non-potable water is disposed in-line in a water delivery pipe, such filter having a plurality of chambers. The first chamber contains biocidal resin which imparts a biocide residue to the water as it passes there-through to kill microorganisms. The water then passes through a turbulating disk to an extended contact time chamber of a selected volume to allow further contact time between the biocide residue and any microorganisms in the water. The water then passes through a 1-3 micron screen, which acts to retain protozoan cysts within the filter, and then passes through a biocide removal chamber containing medias which remove the biocide from the water. The water then passes through a chamber containing bacteriostatic media which acts to prevent back contamination from the effluent end of the filter.

Abstract: Effluent is pumped into a first multistage, modular, vertical filter that extends from ground level to depth near or at the water table. A fluid accumulator, located at the bottom of the filter, accumulates water from the filter stages. The water in the accumulator is pumped into the surrounding soil by pressurizing it from a ground level pump. Fluid that accumulates around the filter is removed for irrigation. The filter and accumulator are removed as a single unit from well shaft for servicing.

Abstract: A non-woven fabric cylinder adapted for insertion within a canister of screened casing pipe that is placed in underground monitor wells to collect and contain spilled or leaked hydrocarbons such as gasoline or diesel by absorbing same upon contact. The absorbed substance is solidified within the cylinder as a rubber-like mass. The consolidated mass is contained within the screened canister, will float indefinitely and is easily retrieved and handled for disposal. The cylinder will not leech solidified hydrocarbons when exposed to pressure limits used to determine landfill suitability.

Abstract: A device to capture, contain and collect hydrocarbon fuels such as gasoline and diesel before they can be spilled or leaked from the ventilation valve or fuel intake port of the fuel tank of a vessel and on to the surface of the water during fueling operations at marine fueling facilities. The device is formed as a low-profile box with a floor section and upright wall sections having stratified layers of a textile material and a solidifying polymer enclosed within a outer envelope of textile material. A seamed area at the center of the device with slits in the textile material allows the device to circumscribe the annular conduit of a device passing through the seamed area.

Abstract: A water purification device used in connection with the brewing of coffee in an automatic drip coffee maker has an annular sleeve contained within the moveable basket of the coffee maker. The water purification device has an activated charcoal resin operable to filter and purify hot water flowing from the coffee maker through the annular sleeve. The lower end of the sleeve has a plurality of circumferentially spaced openings to allow lateral movement of the water and steam away from the annular sleeve.

Abstract: A water treatment apparatus includes a primary column having an iodine disinfection layer and an activated carbon layer juxtapositionally provided in the primary column for killing bacteria and for absorbing odors in a feed water, and a secondary column adjacent to and connected to the primary column and having an ion exchange layer, and a mineralizing layer juxtapositionally installed in the secondary column for alternatively removing ions from the water, or for adding minerals into the treated water for health reason as manipulated by a switching valve device having a first valve and a second valve which are simultaneously operated for selectively opening the first valve for directing the water to be mineralized but closing the second valve for interrupting the water into the ion exchange resins if only a mineralized water is required.

Abstract: A multistage treatment system for treating nutrient-rich water containing nitrogen compounds, phosphorous compounds, and other minerals. Three or more vessels or stages typically constitute the multistage treatment system. Each stage of the system is a reaction vessel having a first zone containing a substantially insoluble salt for precipitating phosphorous compounds and other minerals, a second zone containing a microorganism retained on an inert substrate for converting nitrogen compounds, and a separation device for removing precipitates from the water. The effluent from the multistage system may be further treated in ponds cultivated with aquatic grass.

Abstract: A pillow for placement in enclosed areas utilized to collect and contain spilled or leaked hydrocarbons such as boat bilges and sumps absorbs pollutants that come in contact. The absorbed material is solidified within the pillow into a rubber-like mass. The consolidated mass will float indefinitely and is easily retrieved and handled for disposal. The pillow will not leech solidified hydrocarbons when exposed to pressure limits used to determine landfill suitability.

Abstract: A device to filter water having a tubular housing with five chambers therein divided by filter members. The first chamber includes a granular activated carbon filtering medium, the second chamber includes an iodinated anion resin filter medium, the third chamber being empty, the fourth ion includes an anion exchange filtering medium, and the fifth chamber includes a granular activated carbon filtering medium. A faucet adapter is removably connected to the source of water and it is designed to limit the water pressure applied to the device.

Abstract: An axial flow filtration cartridge, a system, a support assembly, an apparatus, as well as a process are provided for removing particulate matter as well as dissolved heavy metal ions and the like from an aqueous effluent stream. The invention is useful for removing contaminants from industrial waste streams. The cartridge contains features which make it relatively resistant to fouling by solid particles. Additionally, the cartridge has no central void volume. No separate housing for the cartridges is required. In a system embodiment the cartridge has a filtering chamber containing absorbent clay particles confined between porous liquid-permeable retainer. An upstream cartridge cap and a downstream cartridge cap removably receive the ends of the filter cartridge in a liquid-tight seal. The flow of aqueous effluent to each of the cartridges is individually controlled.

Abstract: A fluid treating apparatus and method for treating fluid to remove undesirable constituents contained therein are disclosed. The apparatus and method include employing a bed of metal particulate matter. The metal particulate matter is preferably chosen from metals having: favorable redox potentials relative to the redox potentials of the undesirable constituents so as to establish conditions for spontaneous oxidation and reduction reactions between the undesirable constituents and the metal particles and/or having bacteriostatic or bactericidal properties in the case where the undesirable constituent sought to be treated is a bacteria.

Abstract: A water filtration device is disclosed which, in one aspect, has a hollow device body with filter apparatus therein. The device body is removably nested in a device extender which, upon removal from the device body is invertible and re-emplaceable on the device body to provide an extended member for facilitating the scooping water to be flowed through the device. With appropriate filter media in the hollow device body, potable water is produced. A system is disclosed including the device body, device extender, and a water container securable beneath the device body to receive and store the purified water flowing from the device body.

Abstract: An additional trough for an aquarium filter container comprising a rectangular body having an open top and consisting of a bottom panel, two long-side panels and two short-side panels, said bottom panel being formed with a plurality of equidistant longitudinal and transverse grooves making a plurality of intersecting points, a perforation being formed on alternate one of said intersecting points and equally distant from each other, said bottom panel further having at the outer side a protruded portion which is smaller than the open top of said rectangular body in area and extends outwardly to a flange and downwardly to form four elongated projections, said bottom panel having an outer side formed with a plurality of annular portions concentric with corresponding perforations.

Abstract: A method of making coffee from ground coffee beans and water includes providing an automatic drop coffee maker including a heater mechanism for heating the water wherein the heater means has a hot water drip outlet, a basket for holding the ground coffee beans wherein the basket has an inlet and an outlet and is positioned below the hot water drip outlet such that the hot water drips into the basket and mixes with the ground coffee beans, and a collection vessel for collecting hot water after it mixes with the ground coffee beans. The method further includes providing a water filtration device for filtering impurities from the water; positioning the water filtration device between the hot water drip outlet and the ground coffee beans; heating the water using the heater mechanism; and passing the heated water through the water filtration device and the ground coffee beans and into the collection vessel.

Abstract: This new containment system consisting of multiple drains in a common manifold, provides a simple but automatic closure device that requires minimum and low cost maintenance. Storm water can pass through the drains and does not require manual pumping like the present systems. Small amounts of contaminants will be absorbed as the water passes through the drain ensuring the storm water leaving the containment area is free of contaminants. The system is custom designed for each installation and each potential contaminant, making it very adaptable.

Abstract: A water treatment tank for use in a water treatment or softening system is disclosed which is operative in a treatment mode to receive untreated water through an inlet port and to pass treated water through an outlet port, and which is operative in a backwash mode to receive wash water through the outlet port and to pass waste water through the inlet port. Treatment tank has a vessel having an interior cavity which is partitioned into a top headspace portion, and a middle treatment bed space portion, and a bottom headspace portion via the placement of a pair of distributor filters mounted within the interior cavity to extend between the side walls thereof. The filters are spaced-apart, respectively, from the top end wall to define therewith the top headspace portion and the bottom headspace portion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a lightweight and durable flexible-walled adsorber vessel that may be a freestanding unit, may be hung from an overhead support frame or ceiling, may float or be submersed in a body of liquid, or otherwise be suspended during use. The flexible adsorber of the present invention utilizes an internal screen, mesh, pallet or similar means to support carbon or other porous filter media so as to permit the pressurized or unpressurized removal of undesirable vapors, liquids or solids that may be present in streams of gas or liquid. Embodiments of the flexible adsorber are capable of supporting filter media weighing a ton or more, can resist deterioration in the presence of a variety toxic chemicals and/or corrosive agents, and can serve as a shipping container before or after use.

Abstract: A filtering module includes a housing consisting of an upper housing section and a lower housing section and a connecting member for connecting the upper and lower housing sections. The upper housing section has a first water port in a first end thereof and a pair of substantially L-shaped recesses in a second end thereof. The lower housing section has a second water port in a first end thereof and a second pair of substantially L-shaped recesses in a second end thereof. The connecting member includes a filtering mesh and two pairs of L-shaped protrusions formed on an outer periphery thereof to be fittingly received in associated L-shaped recesses.

Abstract: Water filter module for filtration of water used to brew coffee, having a series of vertically aligned filters placed in a body member and having a charcoal filtration member bounded by screen at its upper and lower ends and in the water filter module.

Abstract: A partition plate for multiple-stage adsorption separator includes a planar body member having opposing external surfaces and a peripheral edge with conduits providing fluid communication between the opposing surfaces and different points on the peripheral edge. Each of the opposing surfaces is provided with a peripheral rim and covered with a perforated plate whereby an open chamber is defined between the body member and a perforated plate at each of the external faces.

Abstract: A water filtration system is disclosed for removing solid particulates from water, and in particular from storm water collection basins prior to passage into a storm water sewer system, comprising an ingress conduit to bring water into the system, a primary filter, a secondary filter of granular material, a primary filter carrier receptacle containing the primary filter which allows water to pass through but not the granules of the secondary filter, a collection conduit to remove the filtered water, and an access port connecting to the carrier receptacle which allows the primary filter to be removed from and returned to the carrier receptacle without disturbing the secondary filter. Preferably the system also comprises a rigid, water impermeable, closed housing. Alternatively, the housing may be constructed of a number of modular units joined together.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a filter system for the filtration of residential tap water for drinking. The device of the present invention removes impurities including organics, heavy metals, and nitrates, and it provides a removable filter which can be readily changed without disconnecting the water lines. The filter in its simplest form has a central filter cartridge which is connected to a top cap and a bottom cap. The top cap and bottom cap have a water inlet and outlet, respectively. The central filter cartridge in turn has a conduit, which is terminated with restrainers, forming a central cavity in the central filter cartridge. The filter cartridge is filled with granular material for filtering. Particulate filters are positioned between the granular material and the restrainers. In one preferred embodiment the particulate matter forms a bed of a silver impregnated activated charcoal, a bed of a cation resin, and a bed of an anion resin.

Abstract: The main feature of this invention is a water filter, made up of a top cover, multiple layers of filtration containers (with net board at the bottom of each container) piled up unit by unit, an axle double-deck sleeve (with vents made on edges of the sleeve linking to one of the middle filtration containers) set in the middle to link all of the filtration containers and a pedestal, installed under all the other units, that has a control valve with five square vents to allow the control the direction of water current, to go from the water inlet to internal sleeve and top cover, spread out and flow down from all layers of filtration containers, and the exhausted from the water outlet, after accumulation in the pedestal, to perform a direct filtration.

Abstract: A washable filter for purifying water includes an upwardly open, upright vessel. A raw water inlet is provided above a filtration zone in the vessel. A sedimentation chamber is arranged underneath the filtration zone. A vertical wall arranged above the sedimentation chamber divides the filtration zone into two filter chambers, such that the filter chambers are connected to each other only through the sedimentation chamber. One of the filter chambers is arranged below the inlet and an outlet for the filtered water is arranged above the other of the filter chambers. A heavy material pump connected to a sludge outlet pipe is arranged in the sedimentation chamber.

Abstract: A filter device for an aquatic tank includes a filter unit having a first casing. The first casing has a top open end, a bottom closed end formed with openings, a surrounding side wall interconnecting the top open end and the bottom closed end and being formed with a water inlet opening, and a perforated first tubular member extending from one of the openings of the bottom closed end to the top open end. The filter unit has a first filter medium provided around the first tubular member. A bottom basin has a top open end. The bottom closed end of the first casing is stacked on and detachably interengages the top open end of the basin. A top pumping unit includes a second casing and a pump mounted in the second casing. A bottom end of the second casing is stacked on and detachably interengages the top open end of the first casing. The pump has an entrance port connected to the first tubular member and an exhaust port extending out of a surrounding side of the second casing.

Abstract: A filter drier (10) for an air conditioning or refrigeration system, has a body (12) with an interior area (20). The unit has an inlet opening (24) and an outlet opening (30). The outlet opening is in connection with an outlet tube (34) that extends substantially the length of the interior of the body. Donut shaped housings (54, 56) holding particles of desiccant material, are sandwiched between a first baffle (36) and a second baffle (72). The housings have an upper filter pad (58) of rigid, coarse fiber material, and a filter bag (62) of fine, flexible fiber material. In each housing, the filter bag is attached to the filter pad about its outer periphery at a seam (66), and at a seam (68) which is adjacent an opening (60) in the pad, through which the outlet tube extends. The filter bags of the donut shaped housings are deformed upon assembly to insure contact with the inner wall of the housing and the exterior surface of the outlet tube.

Abstract: Water treatment apparatus includes a housing, and at least one canister disposed within the housing. Inside the canister are disposed a first water treatment material and a second water treatment material, the first material being different from the second material. Both the first material and the second material acting alone makes the contaminated water more suitable for human consumption. Preferably, the first material is disposed in a first stage, the second material is disposed in a second stage which is physically discrete from the first stage. Alternatively, the first material and the second material may be admixed together in the canister. The apparatus preferably includes an alarm for indicating when the material for treating the contaminated water needs to be replaced.

Abstract: A water treatment system and related components for reducing contaminants in normal drinking water are provided. An elongated tube has first and second ends and is connected with an interference fit at its first end to the interior surface of a neck of a conventional bottle. Water treatment media is disposed within the tube adjacent its second end, such as activated charcoal, halogenated resins, ion exchange resins, calcium and/or magnesium leaching material. The tube includes a flange adjacent its first end which minimizes the possibility that water will enter the bottle except by flowing through the open first end of the tube.

Abstract: A water conditioning or purifying apparatus for preparing drinking water from tap water, incorporating a water inlet at the bottom area and a water outlet at the cover area. The water conditioning or purifying apparatus is provided with activated carbon and anion exchange material for filtering contaminants, and the casing is divided into a lower and an upper casing portion, which both can be removed from each other. The interior of the casing incorporates a first, lower chamber containing the activated carbon and a second, upper chamber containing anion exchange material. Both chambers are sealed at the top and at the bottom by filter fleeces. The water to be purified flows uniformly through the entire cross section of the casing and with the same speed from bottom to top.

Abstract: A compression sealed bacteriostatic purification and filtration system canister for the treatment of water and other piped liquids which includes a plurality of sequential granular filtering media beds separately contained within respective sections of the canister. The canister walls have molded internal grooves to prevent channeling and to hold section separators; the structural filter separators are highly porous semi-rigid discs, and snap into the grooves. The cylindrical sections increase in diameter in the direction of liquid flow. The sections are axially stacked within the canister. Liquid is admitted at the top end of the pressure vessel tank canister, runs down through the series of sections, and then returns to the canister top to exit through an axial riser tube. The tank canister has a screw-on compression sealed cap which contains fluid inlet and outlet pressurized disconnect couplings to allow leak-free back flushing.

Abstract: An adsorbent is charged into a horizontal type packed column having a multiplicity of packed vessels each of which is composed of a partition plate and a cylindrical body and which are connected through the partition plates, from an opening formed on the upper wall of each cylindrical body. Then, each opening is closed tightly with a detachable plug cover. The partition plate is provided with a first fluid passage through which a fluid is passed in the direction of the axis of the cylindrical body and a second fluid passage which is in communication with the first fluid passage, which extends toward the peripheral wall of the cylindrical body and which opens at the cylindrical body. This apparatus is suitable for use as a multiple-stage adsorption separator directed to a simulated moving-bed system.

Abstract: Water purification apparatus includes a tank having an opening, a stopper removably engaging the opening in watertight relationship therewith, the stopper having a raw water passage in communication with the exterior of the tank and with the interior of the tank. A pure-water passage is in communication with the interior of said tank and an activated carbon column within said tank and in communication with said pure-water passage. The tank also containing a mixed bed ion exchange resin exterior to the activated carbon column and in communication with the raw water passage and with said activated carbon column. Raw water enters the tank through the stopper, passes through the resin and then through the activated carbon and exits the apparatus through the pure-water passage. A method for purifying water includes the steps of passing water through a mixed bed ion exchange resin and then through an activated carbon column.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for concentrating a selected component from a multi-component liquid using a sorbent bed having a preferential sorption rate for the selected component. The sorbent bed is enclosed in a single vessel and is operated in a simulated moving bed technique whereby the flow profile of the liquid is continually moved downwardly through the sorbent bed. Recirculation is continuous but variable and is accompanied by the injection of eluent and feedstock and the removal of extract and raffinate at preselected times, locations, and amounts as a function of the kinetics and voidage of the sorbent bed. Extract purity and operational efficiency of the sorbent bed are the result of this novel apparatus and process.

Abstract: An improved filter device is provided for removing contaminants from water comprising a filter housing having an inlet at one end for water to be purified and an oulet for purified water at an opposing end, said filter device including in sequence first, second and third layers of purification material, a first layer of purification material comprising metallic particles which establish a suitable redox potential in the first layer, a second layer of purification material comprising activated carbon, and a third layer of purification material comprising a weak acid ion exchange resin.

Abstract: A water filter with improved filtration efficiency and extended operational period. The filter includes a cassette member filled with filtration and activation agents, where a water path connecting a water inlet pipe and an open upper end of the cassette member is formed between an outer housing member and the cassette member, while an open lower end is directly connected with the water inlet pipe; a center pipe located inside the cassette member for connecting an inside of the cassette member with a water outlet pipe; and a damper member placed inside the cassette member which is vertically slidable along the center pipe, which divides the inside of the cassette member into an upper filtration chamber connected with the upper end and a lower filtration chamber connected with the lower end, where the water flows through the upper filtration chamber from the upper end and the lower filtration chamber from the lower end alternatively.

Abstract: The present invention concerns an oxidation and biological reduction reactor for liquid to be treated by upwards circulation and recirculation including, within a longitudinal vertical enclosure 5 accessible by an admission 9, a lower layer 1 of biomass fixation made of material whose density is lower than that of the liquid and an upper layer of fixation 3 of biomass made of material whose density is higher than that of the liquid, characterized in that the lower layer 1 is separated from the upper layer 3 by a transverse wall 2 preventing the passage of filtration materials between a lower zone located under the wall 2 and an upper zone above the wall 2, an oxidation gas input 8 under the upper layer 3 and above the wall 2, an outlet 10 for the treated liquid is recycled by a pump 12 and an outer pipe 11 on the inlet 9.

Abstract: An article of manufacture and method for holding and treating water contaminated with one or more water-soluble contaminants to substantially prevent the contaminants from seeping into ground water supplies disposed below a water hold area. The article of manufacture and method include the use of a water-holding material, e.g., a water-swellable clay, such as bentonite, for reducing the permeation of the contaminated water into the soil, and a treatment layer, disposed beneath the water-holding material, containing a material capable of adsorbing, absorbing, ion-exchanging, neutralizing or reacting with one or more water-soluble contaminants within the water for removing a substantial portion of the contaminants from the water so that the portion of the held water that permeates the water-holding layer, will be rendered substantially less contaminated.

Abstract: A tri-modal filter canister adapted to contemporaneously remove both entrained water and suspended solid particles from non-aqueous fluids, said water and particulate removal functions being separate and substantially severable within said filter canister.

Abstract: The liquid from which impurities are to be removed is introduced by being distributed throughout the entire top or bottom surface of the filtering medium. The filtering medium includes at least a bed of wood ash through which the liquid is allowed to flow for removing at least part of its impurities to give a purified liquid. The liquid can flow through the filtering medium either by gravity, under pressure or can be forced upwardly through the filtering medium. This type of filtering medium has proved to be cheaper to build and used and is more efficient than those presently known.

Abstract: In an apparatus for water treatment and comprising a pod containing a weakly acid or weakly basic ion exchanger and of which the inlet aperture is formed in the region of one end while the outlet orifice is formed in the region of the other end, in each case by a means which is permeable to liquid while retaining the ion exchanger, in order to render visible the fact that the ion exchanger is exhausted, there is in the region of the outlet orifice of the pod a chamber containing a strongly acid or strongly basic ion exchanger with a color indicator bonded thereon and the walls of which consist at least partially of a transparent material.

Abstract: Machinery and method for the removal, separation, and recovery of petrochemical oils from the surface of bodies of water. The machinery comprises a pickup unit, a first separator unit, a second separator unit, and a third separator unit. The pickup or skimmer unit is designed to operate independently of or in combination with the separator units, and is capable of being propelled by a powered vessel or of being anchored to receive the separated and recovered oil by channelling booms.

Abstract: An article of manufacture and method for holding and treating water contaminated with one or more water-soluble contaminants to substantially prevent the contaminants from seeping into ground water supplies disposed below a water holding area. The article of manufacture and method include the use of a water-holding material, e.g, a water-swellable clay, such as bentonite, for reducing the permeation of the contaminated water into the soil, and an inground treatment layer containing a material capable of adsorbing, absorbing, ion-exchanging, neturalizing or reacting with one or more water-soluble contaminants within the water for removing a substantial portion of the contaminants from the water so that the portion of the held water that permeates the water-holding layer, will be rendered substantially less contaminated.

Abstract: A water purifying device including a cartridge type container which comprises an outer cylinder, an intermediate cylinder and an inner cylinder which are concentrically arranged in a compact housing of the purifying device. The outer and intermediate cylinders are connected at the top, the intermediate and inner cylinders are connected at the bottom, and the cylinders are filled with water purifying materials such as high purity active carbon, silver-somelite and ceramic balls so that water taken in via the housing's water inlet is purified while it flows through the three cylinders and is taken out through the housing's water outlet.

Abstract: A system and method to remove pathogenic organisms and other suspended and dissolved containments from sewage or other contaminated water by an inexpensive, nearly maintenance free device. Principles of operation include new effective methods whioch combine synergistically, suspended and fixed film biological reactor, settling chamber, physical filter, and composting technology, to achieve tertiary sewage treatment and equivalent treatment of other contaminated water without outside energy input being required. Contaminated water flows into the apex or center of a large circular, wedge or conic chamber, then radially through precisely shaped layers of medium which provide progressive treatment by reduced pore size and increased surface area as the flow proceeds to the periphery. Oxygen can be diffused into the final treatment stage by providing large surface exposure to ambient air.

Abstract: An orally usable filter straw for the purification of water by forced movement of the water through the straw. The straw includes an elongated tubular conduit having an inlet for reception of the water at a distal end of the conduit and having an outlet at a proximal end of the conduit for expulsion of the treated water. Beginning at the inlet of the straw, the straw includes the following materials retained within the conduit: a removably mounted filter, a purification resin, activated carbon granules, and a bactericide resin. A mouthpiece is mounted at the outlet of the conduit to allow the device to be suitably received by a human user. The straw includes a series of porous spacers positioned within the conduit to segregate the materials retained within the straw.

Abstract: Water is demineralized by passage through a water demineralization system. The water demineralization system comprises a series of at least three ion exchange resin zones. The sequential series comprises a strong acid cation (SAC) resin zone, a first anion resin zone, and a weak acid cation (WAC) resin zone. The SAC resin zone comprises a SAC resin for removing cations from the water, the first anion resin zone comprises an anion resin for removing anions from the water, and the WAC resin zone comprises a WAC resin for removing cations from water without substantially splitting any salts present in the water. Means for connecting each resin zone in the series are provided so that water can pass sequentially through the system. A method is also provided for regenerating the WAC resin from sodium and ammonium exhaustants. This method comprises contacting the WAC resin with an aqueous solution of a regenerant that is substantially devoid of sulfur and halogen groups.