Abstract: A multi tank water softener system in which multiple softeners can be selectively operated in parallel, alternating, or in series in either order. The system reduces risk of Legionella and pathogen grown while also reducing salt usage by up to 40%.

Abstract: A self-regenerating ion-exchange water softener has an inlet connectable to a source of softenable water under pressure, a resin chamber connected thereto, and an outlet connected to the resin chamber. A salt chamber is located above the resin chamber and contains a water-soluble salt for regenerating the resin. A chamber connection allows controlled downward flow of fluid from the salt chamber to the resin chamber. A first normally-open pressure-sensitive valve closes in response to increased water pressure in the resin chamber, and normally permits a downward fluid flow from the salt chamber to the resin chamber. A passageway permits pressurized water to flow upwardly from the resin chamber to a point above the high-water mark of the salt chamber to generate salt solution for contacting and regenerating the resin, and has a discharge control above the high-water mark.

Abstract: A method for operating a water softening plant includes an automatic blending device, an incoming flow of untreated water being divided into a first partial flow which is softened and a second partial flow which is not softened and then combined into a flow of blended water. The proportions of the two partial flows are adjusted by the automatic blending device such that a desired hardness DV results in the flow of blended water. The conductivity of the softened water and blended water are measured by conductivity sensors in their respective flows. The conductivity of the untreated water is calculated from the measured conductivity of the soft water, from the measured conductivity of the blended water and from the determined proportions of the partial flows. It is possible for the hardness of the blended water to be adjusted very reliably and with improved accuracy.

Abstract: A valve arrangement includes various improvements usable in the context of a fluid additive system, such as a water softener. For example, the valve assembly may include a seal assembly engaged by a reciprocating piston, in which the seal assembly includes a minimal number of parts, is easily assembled, and can be easily inserted in the bore of the valve body without jeopardizing the integrity of the seals. The valve assembly may further include a quick-disconnect system which allows a “control head” including a valve actuation system and electronic controls to be disconnected from the rest of the valve arrangement with only a partial rotation of the control head. The valve assembly may also include a venturi used for drawing regeneration fluid into the system, and an associated venturi cleaner system which allows a user to unclog the fluid-flow orifice of the venturi without any disassembly of parts of the valve arrangement.

Abstract: The invention relates to nutrient compositions for agricultural applications, and methods for plant or crop growth and care. The nutrient composition comprises a potassium-based nutrient solution enriched by electrochemical treatment. In various embodiments, the potassium-based nutrient composition comprises hypochlorous acid. The present invention involves the use of the nutrient compositions or solutions, among other things, in pre-harvest and post-harvest treatments and in environmental and soil disinfection.

Abstract: A method of separating one or more valuable metal cations from an ionic solution by (a) contacting the ionic solution with an activated photoisomerizable host molecule containing a photoisomerizable moiety and a host moiety, where the photoisomerizable moiety has first and second states, and where the host moiety has a greater affinity for a metal cation when the photoisomerizable moiety is in the first state (active binding state) than when the photoisomerizable moiety is in the second state (release state), so that an ion-host molecule association is formed, and (b) separating the ion-host molecule association from the ionic solution. Also disclosed are photoisomerizable host molecules, a method of recovering valuable metals from a waste stream using the photoisomerizable host molecules, and an apparatus comprising a photoisomerizable host molecule attached to a support.

Abstract: A cartridge for treating drinking water, the cartridge comprising a mixture of an ion-exchange material, one part of which is a highly acidic ion-exchange material and another part of which is a weakly acidic ion-exchange material, wherein one of the materials is loaded with alkali ions or alkaline earth ions.

Abstract: A valve assembly for a twin tank-type water treatment system includes and a tank selector valve assembly that includes first and second rotary selector valves driven in concert with another by a reversible electric motor. The motor drives the first and second selector valves between (a) a first position in which an untreated water inlet and a treated water outlet of the valve assembly are coupled to a first resin tank, and a second resin tank is connected to a regeneration valve, and (b) a second position which the untreated water inlet and the treated water outlet of the valve assembly are coupled to the second resin tank, and the first resin tank is connected to a regeneration valve. The rotary valves may be disks that rotate relatively rapidly on a common shaft driven by the electric motor through an arc of 180° or less.

Abstract: Novel water softening products and methods of treating hard water are provided. The products comprise a salt and a metal chelating agent. The products are useful for regenerating ion exchange material in a water softening system and providing softened water containing both sodium and potassium ions, while having dramatically increased efficiencies over prior art products.

Abstract: A regeneration process in the operating method of the invention includes a first regeneration process, and a second regeneration process after the end of the first regeneration process. In the first regeneration process, a regenerant is distributed at a top of an ion exchange resin bed and simultaneously the regenerant is collected at a bottom of the resin bed, thereby generating a downward flow of the regenerant to regenerate the whole of the resin bed. In the second regeneration process, the regenerant is distributed at a bottom of the ion exchange resin bed and simultaneously the regenerant is collected at a middle of the resin bed, thereby generating an upward flow of the regenerant to regenerate a part of the resin bed.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a twin tank water treatment system and method. The water treatment system includes first tank with a first set of sensors and a first resin bed, a second tank with a second set of sensors and a second resin bed, and a valve assembly with a flow meter and a controller in communication with the first set of sensors, the second set of sensors, and the flow meter. The method includes determining when the resin beds are exhausted based on input from the flow meter, the sensors, and a water hardness setting.

Abstract: An adsorbent suitable for heavy metal absorption is described, comprising a thiol-functionalised support containing a stabilising amount of an alkaline metal reacted with said thiol functionality. The adsorbent may be used to remove heavy metals e.g. mercury and/or arsenic, from wastewater streams such as produced water or flue gas scrubber waters.

Abstract: A system comprises an input, a brine chamber, a water softening chamber, and an output. One or more valves are configured to selectively prevent fluid communication of water from the input into the brine chamber; and to selectively permit communication of brine from the brine chamber to the water softening chamber when water is not being communicated through the input. The output is configured to output water softened in the water softening chamber. The one or more valves may include a first valve and a second valve. The first valve may be responsive to water being communicated through the input. The second valve may be responsive to either manual actuation or a fluid level in the brine chamber. The system may further include a cartridge that is removably coupled with the water softening chamber. The cartridge may contain salt and may further define the brine chamber.

Abstract: A method of operating a water treatment system (1), having a softening device (4), in particular comprising an ion-exchange resin (7), a conductivity sensor (9), and electronic control device (13), and an automatically adjustable blending device for mixing a blended water stream V(t)blend from a first, softened part-stream V(t)part1soft and a second, raw-water-carrying part-stream V(t)part2raw, is characterized in that the conductivity LFsoft of the softened water or the conductivity LFblend of the blended water is determined experimentally, and in that the conductivity LFraw of the raw water and/or the total hardness of the raw water is derived from the experimentally determined conductivity LFsoft of the softened water or LFblend of the blended water. With the invention, inexpensive and permanently reliable control of a water treatment system, in particular of the regeneration and blending, is possible.

Abstract: A system comprising a well drilled into an underground formation comprising hydrocarbons; a water supply; a steam production facility, the steam production facility comprising a filter to remove at least 80% of a quantity of divalent cations in the water supply; an exchange resin to remove at least 80% of a quantity of divalent cations in a filtered water stream that has already passed through the filter; a steam injection facility connected to the well and the steam production facility, adapted to inject the steam into the well.

Abstract: A method for operating a water softening system (1) comprising an automatically adjustable blending means for mixing a blended water flow V(t)blended from a first, softened partial flow V(t)part1soft and a second untreated water partial flow V(t)part2raw and comprising an electronic control means (11), wherein the control means (11) readjusts the adjustment position of the blending means by means of one or more experimentally determined instantaneous measured values in such a fashion that the water hardness in the blended water flow V(t)blended is adjusted to a predetermined desired value (SW), is characterized in that the control means (11) ignores at least one of the one or more instantaneous measured values for readjustment of the adjustment position of the blending means in one or more defined operating situations, and instead uses the respectively last corresponding measured value that was valid prior to occurrence of the defined operating situation, or a standard value for the corresponding measur

Abstract: A new process for ion exchange softening of water used in Once-Through Steam Generators (OTSGs) by recovering and using the salt content of the blowdown water from the OTSG to regenerate the softener resin is provided, thus eliminating the cost for commercial regenerant salt that would otherwise be needed. Further, the very high purity of the salt recovered in the blowdown inherently results in the production of softened water with hardness leakage levels that are an order of magnitude lower than can be attained using commercial salt, thus reducing scale deposit potential and improving operating efficiency and reliability of the OTSG.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of manufacturing an organic-inorganic composite hybrid adsorbent by impregnating activated carbon nanopores with an oxide and a water treatment method using the same, and particularly, to an adsorbent including a porous adsorbent and ferrihydrite, goethite, hematite or magnetite incorporated into the porous adsorbent, and a manufacturing method thereof.

Abstract: A method for regenerating the ion exchange resin bed of a resin tank for a water treatment system is provided. This method includes supplying a first pulse of regenerate solution into the resin tank to charge a first section of the ion exchange resin bed, and supplying a second pulse of regenerate solution to charge a second section of the ion exchange resin bed.

Abstract: A water treatment system is provided that includes a brine tank and a resin tank and a control valve in operative connection with the tanks. The control valve includes a piston that is operative by a first motor to move between different positions to change the flow of water through orifices in the control valve, and a brine valve that is operative by a second motor to open and close the passage between the brine tank and resin tank. The second motor operates the brine valve independently of the operation of the piston by the first motor.

Abstract: A water treatment system is provided that includes first and second water treatment control valves. Each control valve includes orifices and a piston. Movement of the piston is operative to change the flow of water through the orifices. The inlet and outlet ports of the second control valve are reversed relative to locations of the inlet and outlet ports on the first control valve. Each control valve is in operative connection with a respective brine tank and a resin tank. A manifold is in operative connection with the inlet and outlet ports of the first and second control valves. The manifold includes an inlet and an outlet port and a three way valve. A controller is configured to selectively operate the three way valve to direct water from the inlet port of the manifold to one of the inlet ports of the first and second control valves.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process and a device for enriching water, in particular drinking water, with magnesium ions. In order to enable enrichment of water with magnesium ions in exchange for calcium ions and/or heavy metal ions during treatment of water, and in particular of drinking water, it is proposed according to the invention to pass the water through an ion exchanger which contains a weakly acidic ion exchange material, wherein at least a part of its ion exchange capacity is loaded with magnesium ions.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a calcium removal method capable of reducing operation cost. A solution L2 containing potassium or/and sodium, and calcium is passed through an ion-exchange resin 35 to separate the solution into a solution containing potassium or/and the sodium, and a solution containing calcium. Operation cost can remarkably be decreased since potassium carbonate is not required to remove calcium as before. Timing for changing a calcium-containing water L3 and a salt water L4 discharged from the ion-exchange resin can be performed based on at least one measurement result selected from the group consisting of: a calcium or chlorine concentration; electrical conductivity; and pH of a fluid which is discharged from said ion-exchange resin. The solution may be a filtrate L1 that is obtained by washing a chlorine bypass dust D generated in a cement burning process, or a leachate W of a final disposal site 50.

Abstract: Described herein is a cementitious article and a method of making using a water-based manufacturing system that incorporates a closed-loop or partially closed loop water recycling system and an alkali removal process. The system, as such is environmentally friendly, saves resources, such as water and other raw materials, and reduces waste disposal. The system further provides for a cementitious article having a low alkali content. Articles prepared by one or more processes described herein have characteristics that include a low apparent density, high strength and high freeze-thaw performance as compared with an article of the same general formulation but made from a comparative manufacturing system that does not include an alkali removal process. Articles described herein are suitable for use as building products, such as siding, the underlayment panel, board, trim, fascia, roofing, decking, and fence.

Abstract: A system comprising a well drilled into an underground formation comprising hydrocarbons; a water supply; a steam production facility, the steam production facility comprising a filter to remove at least 80% of a quantity of divalent cations in the water supply; an exchange resin to remove at least 80% of a quantity of divalent cations in a filtered water stream that has already passed through the filter; a steam injection facility connected to the well and the steam production facility, adapted to inject the steam into the well.

Abstract: Strong acid cation resins used alone or in combination with zeolite-based ion exchange resins are encapsulated in various water permeable polymer fabric bags of various geometries and thicknesses to reduce the calcium hardness levels during swimming pool and spa water fills. The resin bags are strategically placed in the pool or spa to allow water under pressure to flow through the ion exchange media to exchange calcium or magnesium ions with sodium or other harmless cations.

Abstract: A capsule for encapsulating ion exchange chemicals has a capsule body, including a surface layer and ion exchange chemicals encapsulated within said surface layer. An ion exchange media is created by encapsulating liquid ion exchange chemicals inside a polymer coat making small beads which behave as solids but have much higher exchange capacity. The improved capacity is up to twice that of existing media.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods, apparatuses, and systems for treating water. The methods, apparatuses and systems reduce scaling associated with solubilized water hardness using a sequence of water treatment agents, including a first threshold agent shedding weak cation exchange resin and a second magnesium compound conversion agent water treatment. The system or apparatus and methods according to the invention provide synergistic reduction of hard water scaling and elimination of cementing on the insoluble magnesium compound.

Abstract: A water filtration system with a filter and method for filtering raw 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 series 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. A rapid sand filter may be used prior to filtering water through the series of media layers. The water may also be further filtered through a mixture of zeolite and carbon. Chlorine may be added to the filtered water. Specialized water filters for reducing fluoride and arsenic concentrations and taste aesthetics are also disclosed.

Abstract: The oxine ligands 5-chloro-8-hydroxyquiniline and 5-sulfoxyl-8-hydroxyquinoline are covalently bound, using, for example, the Mannich reaction, to a silica gel polyamine composite made from a silanized amorphous silica xerogel and polyallylamine. The resulting modified composites, termed CB-1 (X?Cl) and SB-1 (X?SO3H), respectively, show a clear selectivity for trivalent over divalent ions and selectivity for gallium over aluminum. The compounds of the invention can be applied for the sequestration of metals, such as heavy metals, from contaminated mine tailing leachates.

Abstract: A water treatment system is provided that includes a control valve. The control valve includes a plurality of orifices and a piston. Movement of the piston is operative to change the flow of water through the orifices. A brine tank is in operative connection with the control valve. The brine tank includes a pump. A resin tank is in operative connection with the control valve and includes an ion exchange resin bed. At least one controller is operatively configured to cause the pump to operate to push brine from the brine tank through the control valve and into the resin tank.

Abstract: A water treatment system is provided that includes first and second water treatment control valves. Each control valve includes orifices and a piston. Movement of the piston is operative to change the flow of water through the orifices. The inlet and outlet ports of the second control valve are reversed relative to locations of the inlet and outlet ports on the first control valve. Each control valve is in operative connection with a respective brine tank and a resin tank. A manifold is in operative connection with the inlet and outlet ports of the first and second control valves. The manifold includes an inlet and an outlet port and a three way valve. A controller is configured to selectively operate the three way valve to direct water from the inlet port of the manifold to one of the input ports of the first and second control valves.

Abstract: A water treatment system is provided that includes a brine tank and a resin tank and a control valve in operative connection with the tanks. The control valve includes a piston that is operative by a first motor to move between different positions to change the flow of water through orifices in the control valve, and a brine valve that is operative by a second motor to open and close the passage between the brine tank and resin tank. The second motor operates the brine valve independently of the operation of the piston by the first motor.

Abstract: A method of operating a water treatment system (1), having a softening device (4), in particular comprising an ion-exchange resin (7), a conductivity sensor (9), and electronic control device (13), and an automatically adjustable blending device for mixing a blended water stream V(t)blend from a first, softened part-stream V(t)part1soft and a second, raw-water-carrying part-stream V(t)part2raw, is characterised in that the conductivity LFsoft of the softened water or the conductivity LFblend of the blended water is determined experimentally, and in that the conductivity LFraw of the raw water and/or the total hardness of the raw water is derived from the experimentally determined conductivity LFsoft of the softened water or LFblend of the blended water. With the invention, inexpensive and permanently reliable control of a water treatment system, in particular of the regeneration and blending, is possible.

Abstract: It is intended to effectively suppress corrosion of a feed-water supply pipe in a preheater, by means of recirculation of boiler water to feed-water to be supplied to a steam boiler, even if a concentration of an alkaline component of the feed-water is relatively high. An alkali metal hydroxide is added from an agent-adding unit (14) to feed-water after removing therefrom a water hardness component in a water-softener unit (15) using a cation exchange resin and then removing therefrom dissolved gas in a degasifier unit (16). Then, the feed-water is supplied to a steam boiler 20 via a feed-water supply line 13 while being heated by a preheater (41). A part of boiler water having a pH value increased along with an increase in concentration of the alkali metal hydroxide resulting from enrichment thereof in the steam boiler (20) is mixed with the feed-water via a recirculation line (38).

Abstract: A water softening system including a first treatment tank having a first water capacity, a second treatment tank in parallel with the first treatment tank and having a second water capacity that is less than the first water capacity, a flow meter connected to the first and second treatment tanks, the flow meter configured to determine a demand flow rate of water entering the system and a controller in communication with the flow meter, the controller configured to direct the water into the first treatment tank when the demand flow rate is greater than a designated flow rate, and to direct the water into the second treatment tank when the demand flow rate is equal to or less than the designated flow rate.

Abstract: A detergent builder composition includes a (co)polymer of acrylic acid. The acrylic acid copolymers may be selected from a copolymer of acrylic acid and 2-acrylamido-2-methyl propane sulfonic acid, and a copolymer of acrylic acid and hydroxyethyl methacrylate. Also disclosed are processes for removing calcium and/or magnesium ions with the detergent builder composition.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for treating contaminated water streams resulting from the production of coal-bed-methane. The method of treating contaminated water streams typically includes the steps of: providing a reaction vessel that contains a bed of weak acid cation ion exchange resin beads; introducing the contaminated water stream to the reaction vessel; allowing for the exchange of hydrogen ions for sodium ions; removing the ion exchanged treated water from the reaction vessel; stopping the stream of contaminated water; and regenerating the weak cation exchange resin.

Abstract: A method and composition are provided for the operation of an evaporative cooling tower with minimal, or no, blowdown. In some embodiments, the method involves using sodium cation-exchanged softened water as makeup water for the cooling tower, providing a bypass filter for suspended solids removal from the cooling water, treating the cooling water with a composition for control of corrosion and deposition, and using an effective biocide for control of biological growth within the cooling tower system. In some embodiments, a composition is provided that comprises AMPS acrylic terpolymer, sodium silicate, phosphate ions, and polyphosphate ions. When dosed at the recommended levels, the composition controls corrosion of cooling system materials to generally acceptable levels in spite of the extremely corrosive environment resulting from the cycling of sodium cation-exchanged softened water in the cooling tower.

Abstract: A regeneration tank for water softeners which includes a flow rate control unit to control the pressure in the regeneration tank, and a coupling member to protect a connection part between the regeneration tank and a water softener. The regeneration tank includes a hollow casing, which has an open inlet part, through which regenerative substances are supplied into the casing. The hollow casing further has a mounting part, which is coupled to the water softener, and a storage part, which is provided between the open inlet part and the mounting part to contain the regenerative substance therein.

Abstract: A process for treatment of an aqueous stream to produce a low solute containing distillate stream and a high solute/solids containing blowdown stream utilizing a method to increase the efficiency of an evaporator while providing an essentially scale free environment for the heat transfer surface. Multi-valent ions and non-hydroxide alkalinity are removed from aqueous feed streams to very low levels and then the pH is increased preferably to about 9 or higher to increase the ionization of low ionizable constituents in the aqueous solution. In this manner, species such as silica and boron become highly ionized, and their solubility in the concentrated solution that is present in the evaporation equipment is significantly increased. The result of this is high allowable concentration factors and a corresponding increase in the recovery of high quality reusable water with essentially no scaling.

Abstract: A water softening system including a first treatment tank having a first water capacity, a second treatment tank in parallel with the first treatment tank and having a second water capacity that is less than the first water capacity, a flow meter connected to the first and second treatment tanks, the flow meter configured to determine a demand flow rate of water entering the system and a controller in communication with the flow meter, the controller configured to direct the water into the first treatment tank when the demand flow rate is greater than a designated flow rate, and to direct the water into the second treatment tank when the demand flow rate is equal to or less than the designated flow rate.

Abstract: A method for operating a water softening system (1) comprising an automatically adjustable blending means for mixing a blended water flow V(t)blended from a first, softened partial flow V(t)part1soft and a second untreated water partial flow V(t)part2raw and comprising an electronic control means (11), wherein the control means (11) readjusts the adjustment position of the blending means by means of one or more experimentally determined instantaneous measured values in such a fashion that the water hardness in the blended water flow V(t)blended is adjusted to a predetermined desired value (SW), is characterized in that the control means (11) ignores at least one of the one or more instantaneous measured values for readjustment of the adjustment position of the blending means in one or more defined operating situations, and instead uses the respectively last corresponding measured value that was valid prior to occurrence of the defined operating situation, or a standard value for the corresponding measur

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for improved removal of cations, preferably alkaline earth metals, in particular calcium and barium, from aqueous solutions using chelating resins having acetic acid and/or iminodiacetic acid groups having high dynamic absorption capacity for cations at a low residual content of the cations and high regeneration efficiency, to the chelating exchangers themselves, and also to uses thereof.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing purified water. Treated water may be provided for domestic use wherein the water may be treated by removing selected dissolved species while retaining properties that may improve the properties or aesthetics of the water.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for improved removal of cations, preferably alkaline earth metals, in particular calcium and barium, from aqueous solutions using chelating resins having aminomethylphosphonic acid groups and iminodimethylphosphonic acid groups having high dynamic absorption capacity for cations at a low residual content of the cations and high regeneration efficiency, and a markedly lengthened loading duration of the chelating resin, to the chelating exchangers themselves, and also to uses thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of preventing or reducing scale formation or corrosion by combining at least one scale-forming fluid comprising at least one scaling compound with at least one anti-scale material chosen from at least one scale-adsorbent agent. The methods may reduce or prevent the formation of scale on surfaces of liquid-related process equipment, such as boilers and heat exchangers.

Abstract: A process for providing water with a lowered salinity and which produces at least one recoverable waste stream containing a useful by-product, the process including treating raw water which includes an undesirably high concentration of cations, including Ca2+ and Na+, in a cation exchange stage which includes first and second cation exchangers. The first cation exchanger having a selectivity towards di-valent cations and the second cation exchanger being downstream of the first cation exchanger, to retain at least a portion of the cations of the raw water in or on the first and second cation exchangers, thereby providing upgraded water of a lowered salinity containing no or a low concentration of the cations of the raw water.

Abstract: An H2S04-based calcite dissolution post-treatment process and apparatii for desalinated water are provided. The process comprises separating cations from seawater by ion exchange resin (s) (12) onto which the ions are loaded, contacting the ion exchange resin (s) (12) loaded with the cations with an effluent (1) of a calcite dissolution reactor (10) wherein the cations are exchanged with Ca2+ from this effluent. The Ca2+ concentration of the resulting desalinated water (6) decreases while the cations concentration increases to comply with required quality criteria. Batch type and continuous apparatii by which the process can be carried out are described.

Abstract: Strong acid cation resins used alone or in combination with zeolite-based ion exchange resins are encapsulated in various water permeable polymer fabric bags of various geometries and thicknesses to reduce the calcium hardness levels during swimming pool and spa water fills. The resin bags are strategically placed in the pool or spa to allow water under pressure to flow through the ion exchange media to exchange calcium or magnesium ions with sodium or other harmless cations.