Abstract: Vibrators, each comprising an electric motor having an eccentric weight on its rotating shaft, are adhesively secured to the bottoms of the wastewater holding tanks of a recreational vehicle, to aid in flushing the tanks by dislodging solid debris from the inside walls and bottoms of the tanks and from the electrodes of the liquid level sensors in the tanks.

Abstract: A sludge dewatering system that includes a reactor to apply an electric field across at least a portion of the volume of the sludge and a dewatering station to dewater the sludge. The dewatering system may include one or more bypass lines so that at a portion of volume the sludge bypasses particular stages of the system. The dewatering station may use, for example, pressing or a centrifuge.

Abstract: An Ultraviolet-C (UVC) based portable water purification system employing a novel array of baffles increases the efficiency per unit energy of irradiating UVC light in the eradication of pathogens in the water. Closed loop feedback allows monitoring the application of UVC light power to ensure high levels of pathogen eradication. This system is capable of eradicating a wide range of waterborne bacteria, viruses, protozoa, helminthes, yeast, and mold found in natural freshwater sources worldwide. By adding pre- or post-filters, the system can remove harmful organic compounds, pesticides, inorganic compounds and heavy metals from the water. The system can also be used to eradicate pathogens in fluids other than water. As a feature of this invention, a communications systems that can reach geographically dispersed populations at low cost without the need to install costly wired communications infrastructure is combined with and powered by the water purification system.

Abstract: A liquid or water treatment apparatus comprising one or both of an electrodialysis cell and a cavitation unit. The cavitation unit generates cavitation in the liquid by flow of the liquid into a constriction where cavitation bubbles are formed and then to an outlet where cavitation bubbles implode, and the constriction includes an aperture formed by walls which are long and narrowly spaced in a plane normal to the flow direction. The electrodialysis cell is arranged with an inlet flow path for directing only part of a quantity of water to be treated through the electrodialysis cell, and an outlet flow path for returning a product of the electrodialysis cell to the remainder of the water.

Abstract: Methods and systems for enhancing of quality of liquid by treating a source liquid to enhance the concentration of low zeta potential crystals and produce a treated liquid having a higher concentration of low zeta potential crystals than that of the source liquid. The inventive system comprises an aqueous liquid source having a threshold concentration of selected minerals and a low zeta potential crystal generator for treating the aqueous source liquid to produce treated liquid having an enhanced concentration of low zeta potential crystals.

Abstract: This invention discloses the treatment of effluents in which a flow of the said effluents is subjected to a pulsed electric field that modifies physicochemical and biologic characteristics of the medium, this modification being used during a solid/liquid separation operation, of the settlement or membrane filtration type. The solid/liquid separation operation (13, 14, 15) and the application of a pulsed electric field (12) are operations carried out at different locations along the effluent flow. The pulsed electric field has voltage value, current value, pulse repetition frequency and voltage front shape characteristics chosen such that the required effluent treatment can be achieved as a function of the locations at which these membrane filtration operations are carried out and a pulsed electric field is applied.

Abstract: Fluid-handling methods and devices for ultrasonic manipulation of fluid-borne particles comprise a fluid-handling manifold and an ultrasonic particle manipulator defining an ultrasonic cavity within the manifold. Fluid-borne particles introduced into the manifold are manipulated by controlling ultrasonic standing waves at the ultrasonic cavity. Cavities having non-uniform configurations, asymmetric standing waves and/or multiple ultrasonic cavities within the manifold are operative to control the movement of the fluid-borne particles, optionally including collecting and holding such particles, transferring particles through an intersection from one channel to another, etc. Solid phase extraction (SPE) particles, biological particles and other fluid-borne particles can be manipulated within the fluid-handling manifold.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of utilizing ultrasonic waves emitted into a fluid to treat the fluid, matter within the fluid, and/or organisms within the fluid in a variety of manners such as, but not limited to, cleaning objects within the fluid, sterilizing the fluid and/or objects within it, separating bonded matter within the fluid, segregating matter within the fluid into discrete laminas, killing organisms within the fluid, inactivating organisms within the fluid, extracting matter from organisms within the fluid, extracting matter from other matter within the fluid, inducing chemical reactions within the fluid, and/or converting toxic matter within the fluid into a less toxic state.

Abstract: The disclosed principles employ a UV reactor design for photo-based treatment of contaminated fluid media using a concentric single light source/single sleeve design, with multiple such concentric light source/sleeve units placed in parallel. In one embodiment, such a reactor may comprise an inlet manifold and an outlet manifold, and a plurality of tubular chambers connecting the inlet manifold to the outlet manifold. A plurality of such irradiating units are located within corresponding ones of the tubular chambers such that a fluid path is provided between each of the transparent sleeves and its corresponding tubular chamber where the contaminated fluid is irradiated as it passes through the chambers. The inlet ends of all of the chambers are connected to a single fluid intake manifold. This design allows the contaminated fluid pressure and flow to be evenly distributed among all of the fluid chambers via the intake manifold.

Abstract: A sterilisation process comprising the heating of liquid by waves of electric field having a frequency greater than 1 MHz, at a speed greater than 28° C. per second, to a treatment temperature T between 20° C. and 66° C., and according to the value of the treatment temperature T, exposure of the liquid to an alternating electric field in pulses immediately or slightly after heating of the liquid.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for removing hydrogen peroxide from a liquid media. This is accomplished by adding an oxidizable metal to the photoreactive slurry. The oxidizable metal is then oxidized, which then causes the oxidized metal particles to bond to the particles of photoreactive slurry to create oxidized metal catalyst particles. Once bonded to the slurry particles, the metal remains in the decontamination system and its presence destabilizes and catalyzes the decomposition of the hydrogen peroxide in the contaminated media. Once destabilized, the hydrogen peroxide breaks down into water and oxygen particles, which are not detrimental to the operation of the system. The oxygen molecules may be vented from the system, while the water molecules simply mix with the liquid media flowing through the system. The photoreactive slurry and the oxidized metal are recovered and recycled so as not to have to be continuously replenished.

Abstract: The present application is directed toward a method of destroying microorganisms using a device for treating a medium flowing through the device with a hydrodynamic cavitation field or a super cavitation field for destroying microrganisms contained in the medium.

Abstract: A method of providing end-to-end water quality control from a water system operator to a point of delivery proximate a consumer, which may be at the point of entry, and/or between the point of entry and point of use, and/or at the point of use. The method includes treating the water and delivering the water to the consumer at the point of delivery, filtering/purifying the water at the point of delivery, monitoring water quality at the point of delivery, and reporting water quality at the point of delivery to the water system operator over a network.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for the controlled application of ultrasonic energy for conditioning of mixtures of gas and liquids by evolving and/or agglomerating gas bubbles existing with or in a liquid or for coalescing droplets of liquid dispersed in another liquid. The invention in preferred embodiments thereof comprises a coalescing apparatus for increasing the droplet size of a mixture formed as a liquid dispersed in another liquid, and a de-gassing apparatus arranged to evolve and/or agglomerate gaseous bubbles in a gas/liquid mixture. In the apparatuses, ultrasonic transducers are used to impart vibrational energy to the mixtures.

Abstract: The invention disclosed provides an apparatus and method for disinfection of ship's ballast water, such as sea water, based on hydrodynamic cavitation. The apparatus comprises a cavitating chamber of cross section such as circular or non circular shape housing a single or multiple cavitating element(s) in the form of plates of metallic, ceramic, plastic materials of varying thicknesses placed perpendicular to the direction of flow of liquid and positioned at uniform or non-uniform spacing. The cavitating elements are provided with single or multiple orifices of different cross sections, circular or non-circular, with or without sharp edges and with a fraction of cross-sectional open area of the passage. The disinfected water may be re-circulated through the system for additional disinfection or released from the tank into the surrounding waterways.

Abstract: Biocolloids, e.g. Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts, are removed from water by filtration using a packed bed of a granular filter medium, preferably MgO, establishing an electric field across the packed bed, perpendicular to the flow of the water through the packed bed. The packed bed is provided in an annular space between two concentric electrodes.

Abstract: The invention relates to a water treatment apparatus, method and system for use in the treatment of an open or closed body of water including water in a vessel, pipe, reservoir, river, chamber, lake or similar bodies of water, the water being retained in a water containment means being referenced or tied to ground potential, the apparatus including an energisable material defined as an active electrode being configured and arranged for placement in the body of water, the active electrode being adapted to be energised or electrostatically charged with a negative electrostatic voltage charge from a power supply means, in use, to induce and set up an electrostatic field in the water causing contaminants in the water effected by the induced charge to bond and be removed from the water.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method, device and system for measuring and/or treating contaminating components dissolved in a liquid in a liquid flow, such as in a water treatment, the method comprising the steps of: —carrying at least a part of the liquid from the liquid flow with contaminating components present therein into a container or a conduit; —causing precipitation of at least a part of the dissolved contaminating components, wherein solid particles are formed, and/or treating the quantity of process liquid; optionally followed by: —measuring the presence and/or the quantity of solid particles formed.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of treating a target area with an ultrasound wave pattern, including: providing an ultrasound apparatus having an ultrasound wave generator operatively attached to a plurality of transducers, coupled to an immersible support and configured to emit an ultrasound wave; immersing the apparatus into a water environment; positioning the apparatus proximate to a target area to treat at least one in situ organism; and emitting a pattern of ultrasound waves from the transducers, the pattern of ultrasound waves additive in effect and emitted onto the target area to threat an in situ underwater organism.

Abstract: Water within a water tank is irradiated with ultraviolet light from a UV lamp for virucidal and germicidal purposes while simultaneously transforming oxygen molecules to ozone molecules in an oxygen containing gas flowing within an annular space defined by a sleeve surrounding the UV lamp. The ozone enriched gas flows into an enlarged chamber into which the UV lamp extends and the flow rate is reduced to enhance the time of exposure of the ozone enriched gas to UV radiation and thereby enhance the production of ozone. To increase the rate of transformation of oxygen molecules to ozone molecules, the gas is under a predetermined pressure prior to entering the annular space and subsequent to discharge from the chamber.

Abstract: A method for the treatment of fluid including the step of exposing the fluid to a pulsed plasma discharge. The pulsed plasma discharge will be generated using a suitable electrode configuration to generate the plasma discharge in the fluid. Apparatus useful in the method may include a vessel, at least two electrodes for generating a plasma discharge in water, and a flow inlet and a flow outlet to allow water to be passed through the vessel. Also described is an in-line water treatment, where a pulsed plasma discharge is used in a pipe carrying moving water. Plasma based fluid treatment system may have many advantages in comparison to other treatment methods, such as very minimal maintenance, low operating power, and minimal pressure loss through the device.

Abstract: A method of separating, concentrating or purifying uniform carbon nanotubes with desired properties (diameter, chiral vector, etc) in a highly sensitive manner by the use of structure-sensitive properties peculiar to carbon nanotubes; and an apparatus therefor. There is provided a method of separating, concentrating, or purifying carbon nanotubes with the desired properties contained in a sample, comprising the steps of (a) irradiating a sample containing carbon nanotubes with light; and (b) selecting carbon nanotubes with desired properties. In a preferred embodiment, the light irradiation of the step (a) can be carried out in the presence of a metal so as to cause specified carbon nanotubes to selectively induce a photocatalytic reaction, resulting in metal deposition. Further, in a preferred embodiment, a given magnetic filed can be applied in the steps (b) so as to attain accumulation or concentration or carbon nanotubes with metal deposited.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for the modification of seawater, brine, or alike, to render it suitable for irrigation, industrial use, or for further treatment in a drinking water purification plant, as well as to extract desired substances from brines, such as boron, and to clear waste from mining processes, by reducing environment endangering contaminants, like petroleum hydro-carbons, or radioactive substances, as well as inactivating microorganisms and virus in biosolids, by means of exposing the substances to high-intensity macrosound, i.e., alternating mechanical energy radiation at (ultra-) sonic frequencies. The treatment enhances the separation of salt, or/and other desired materials, from the water, and activates in situ the adsorption of the materials on sorbefacient substances supplied to the desalination process in form of dust of pulverized, liquefied, or vaporized substances, or by elements (of walls) of treatment chambers, or filters.

Abstract: A method of providing end-to-end water quality control from a water system operator to a point of delivery proximate a consumer. The method includes treating the water and delivering the water to the consumer at the point of delivery, filtering/purifying the water at the point of delivery, monitoring water quality at the point of delivery, reporting water quality at the point of delivery to the water system operator over a network, monitoring total water volume at the point of delivery, and reporting total water volume at the point of delivery to the water system operator over a network.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for the controlled application of ultrasonic energy for conditioning of mixtures of gas and liquids by evolving and/or agglomerating gas bubbles existing with or in a liquid or for coalescing droplets of liquid dispersed in another liquid. The invention in preferred embodiments thereof comprises a coalescing apparatus for increasing the droplet size of a mixture formed as a liquid dispersed in another liquid, and a de-gassing apparatus arranged to evolve and/or agglomerate gaseous bubbles in a gas/liquid mixture. In the apparatuses, ultrasonic transducers are used to impart vibrational energy to the mixtures.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system, method and apparatus for heating a fluid without a flame. The modular heater (apparatus) that includes an enclosure, a dynamic heat generator disposed within the enclosure, an electric motor disposed within the enclosure, a first fluid connector attached to the enclosure, a second fluid connector attached to the enclosure and an electrical connector attached to the enclosure. The electric motor drives the dynamic heat generator to heat the fluid to a specified temperature without a flame. The first fluid connector connects the dynamic heat generator to a fluid source. The second fluid connector connects the dynamic heat generator to a fluid storage. The electrical connector connects the electric motor to a power source.

Abstract: Water from coal bed methane production which is suitable for almost nothing, is ozonated in a reactor to oxidize the iron content from +2 to +3, that is from ferrous to ferric, and to oxidize the manganese content from +2 to +4. The water after such first treatment is run through a separation means and then through a rotating filter, and then subjected to capacitive deionization, to yield clean water, which is then treated further to adjust he sodium content to render the water suitable for domestic and agricultural purposes. Some of the produced water is run back through the capacitive deionization cells when no voltage is applied to clean the cells for the next voltage application cycle. Some of the water produced may also be run back through the separation means to help clean out the crud.

Abstract: Provided is a submerged-type, electrosorption-based desalination apparatus for water purification and method, comprising applying a DC voltage of 0.1 to 2.0 volts to a carbon electrode of the reactor to thereby adsorb inorganic ions on the carbon electrode, and reversely applying the same DC voltage having opposite polarity to recycle regeneration solution to the outside of the apparatus or into the treatment tank, thereby enhancing a recovery rate. In addition, in order to improve desalination efficiency, the reactor used in the desalination apparatus may be embodied in various forms of T-shaped, linear type, single, composite, and ion exchange membrane electrodes. Therefore, the present invention may be applied to remove inorganic ions from industrial wastewater, sea water, and brackish water, which contain large amounts of inorganic ions.

Abstract: A portable water treatment apparatus may include a container, a UV light source, and a user-powered generator. The container may include first and second portions removably joined or factory sealed together and defining a chamber to receive water. The UV light source, such as a UV light bulb, may be contained within the chamber. A user-powered generator, such as a hand or pedal crank generator, may be operatively associated with the UV light. Operation of the user-powered generator may provide electrical power to the UV light source for disinfecting water received within the chamber. The UV light source may also be powered using an electrical outlet, a battery, or solar power. The portable water treatment apparatus may further include a mixing device for moving water within the container, and an electrical disconnect for selectively connecting and disconnecting the electrical power connection between the user-powered generator and the UV light source.

Abstract: A method and system are described to treat ammonia-containing wastewater or process waters. Sewage containing human or animal waste and certain process liquids, typically water, contains high levels of nitrogen in the form of ammonia. An electro-chemical method to extract the ammonia from the wastewater is also described. The system described is one implementation of this method. One or more electrolysis cells convert ammonium to ammonia where the generated ammonia gas can readily be extracted for disposal or reuse. Such a system can involve electrolysis cells of numerous types as described herein.

Abstract: A cavitation device is used to heat and facilitation the separation of mixtures and emulsions of oil and water. Waste heat from the power source for the cavitation device may be utilized to elevate the temperature of incoming mixtures or emulsions. The heated mixture of emulsion is sent to a separation vessel where vapor may be removed and/or recovered, and where oil is removed as it separates into an identifiable layer. The separation vessel may be a flash tank.

Abstract: A method and device is provided for collecting filterable material to perform assays on a filtration apparatus by applying negative-pressure to the inlet chamber of the filtration apparatus which is independent of negative or positive pressure applied to its fluid path. The negative-pressure applied to the inlet chamber serves to actively aspirate fluid and promote flow into the inlet chamber via the fluid pathway. The negative-pressure applied to the inlet chamber facilitates the use of either negative or positive-pressure based fluid-filtration approaches. Use of the invention improves the functionality and scope of applications that can be performed with enclosed filtration apparatuses.

Abstract: This is a method and apparatus for combined gravity separation-filtration for conducting physical, physical-chemical, chemical, and biological processes in solid-liquid systems; including but not limited to separation of dispersed solids from liquids, separation of alkalinity from the liquid stream, chemical acid-base interactions, chemical oxidation-reduction, chemical dissolution-precipitation, physical chemical adsorption, ion exchange, mass transfer in any combinations of multiple liquid-solid-gas phases, biological oxidation-reductions, biological growth, and combinations of these processes; gravity separation steps can be conducted in rectangular horizontal unidirectional flow clarifiers, rectangular or circular radial flow clarifiers, rectangular or circular vertical flow clarifiers, lamella clarifiers, suspended sludge blanket clarifiers, fluidized bed separators, and combinations thereof, wherein the filtration step is disposed in the upper portion of the combined process or side-by-side with clarifi

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for treatment of contaminated liquid are provided including an integrated ultra-filtration and clarification apparatus, and an optional integrated electrocoagulation capability. The integrated apparatus comprises an outer tank, an inner casing, and a plurality of ultra-filtration filters contained within the inner casing. Clarification of liquid occurs in the gap between the casing and tank. Solid matter settles, and aggregates in the bottom portion of the tank. The accumulated solid material acts as a secondary filter by pre-filtering the liquid prior to contact with the ultra-filtration filters. Clarified liquid is retained in a chamber of the casing, and the clarified liquid is drawn through the ultra-filtration filters as initiated by a source of vacuum communicating with the ultra-filtration filters.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to the small-scale separation of a mixture of two or more components with different boiling points into enriched fractions. In some embodiments, a first and second fluid (e.g., a liquid and a gas, a liquid and a liquid, etc.) are passed through a channel. The first fluid may comprise at least two components, each with a unique boiling point. Upon contacting the first and second fluids within the channel, at least a portion of the most volatile of the components in the first fluid (i.e., the component with the lowest boiling point) may be transferred from the first fluid to the second fluid. In some instances, the transfer of the volatile component(s) from the first fluid to the second fluid may be expedited by heating, in some cases above the boiling point(s) of the component(s) to be transferred from the first fluid to the second fluid. Contact between the first and second fluids may be maintained, for example, via segmented flow, bubbling flow, etc.

Abstract: Exemplary systems and methods relating to water treatment are described. One implementation filters water through a moving bed media filter sufficient to decrease the water's turbidity. This implementation simultaneously disinfects the filtered water and at least a portion of the moving bed media filter with ultra violet (UV) energy.

Abstract: A method for demulsifying water-oil emulsions through ultrasonic action, comprises a step of making the water-oil emulsions flow through at least one ultrasonic acting region in a flow direction, wherein: within the ultrasonic acting region, a concurrent ultrasonic wave whose traveling direction is the same as the flow direction of the water-oil emulsions is generated by at least a one first ultrasonic transducer provided at the upstream end of the ultrasonic acting region, and at same time, a countercurrent ultrasonic wave whose traveling direction is opposite to the flow direction of the water-oil emulsions is generated by at least a one second ultrasonic transducer provided at the downstream end of the ultrasonic acting region; and the concurrent ultrasonic wave and the countercurrent ultrasonic wave act simultaneously on the water-oil emulsions which flow through the ultrasonic acting region, so as to demulsify the water-oil emulsions.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for the efficient purification of aqueous liquids comprising an ionic solute. The liquids are purified by a plurality supercapacitor desalination units working in tandem; a first unit operating in “charge” mode, deionizing the feed solution and producing a purified product liquid, while a second supercapacitor desalination unit is operated in “discharge” mode, releasing ions into a circulating stream and producing a concentrate. The output of the first desalination unit is removed as a purified product stream. The output of the second desalination unit is a concentrate, which is directed to a common precipitation unit where a portion of the ionic solute is precipitated and separated from the remaining liquid phase, which may be recirculated to the second desalination unit. The use of two supercapacitor desalination units operating out of phase allows the common precipitation unit to be operated continuously under steady state conditions.

Abstract: The present invention describes a system and method for supplying electrical power to a device, such as a filter element, located within a housing. In one embodiment, a conductive coil is embedded into the housing base, and a second coil is embedded into the filter element. Current is then passed through the coil in the housing base. Through induction, a current is created in the second coil in the filter element, in much the same way as a transformer functions. This inductive field may interfere with the operation of the various electronic functions, such as communications, sensing or other activities. To overcome this issue, an energy storage component, such as a capacitor, is included in the filter electronics. In this way, the power generated by the inductive field can be stored, and used when the inductive field is no longer present.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for reclamation of waste fluids. A conditioning container is employed for receipt of waste material on a continuous flow for treatment within the container by immersible transducers producing ultrasonic acoustic waves in combination with a high level of injected ozone. The treated material exhibits superior separation properties for delivery into a centrifuge for enhanced solid waste removal. The invention discloses a cost efficient and environmentally friendly process and apparatus for cleaning and recycling of flowback, or frac water, which has been used to stimulate gas production from shale formations. The apparatus is mobile and containerized and suitable for installation at the well site.

Abstract: The methods of this invention involve preventing the formation of a complex between adenine and riboflavin by reducing the amount of adenine in a solution containing blood or blood components to be pathogen reduced.

Abstract: A method of water desalination and purification includes steps of flowing salted or contaminated water concentration into a narrow or pointed portion of a corona electrode; applying an electrical potential difference between the water and an opposite electrode; generating a corona discharge in the narrow or pointed portion; evaporating the water; electrically charging water droplets and molecules formed by the evaporating step by means of the corona discharge; moving the charged droplets and molecules toward the oppositely charged electrode; condensing fresh water; and collecting fresh water. A corresponding desalination device includes a corona electrode; at least one attracting electrode; a power supply generating electrical potential difference between the corona electrode and the attracting electrode; and at least one water condensing member.

Abstract: A method of operating a capacitive deionization cell using a regeneration cycle to increase pure flow rate and efficiency of the cell.

Abstract: A fine channel device including a fine channel provided with at least two inlet ports for feeding fluid, inlet channels communicated with the inlet ports, a confluent portion communicated with the inlet channels, a branch portion communicated with the fine channel, from which at least two outlet channels are branched to feed predetermined amounts of fluid, and outlet ports communicated with the outlet channels. The fine channel is provided with a plurality of partition walls arranged along a boundary formed by at least two kinds of fluid fed from the inlet ports so as not to cause mutual contamination of fluid. Furthermore, the plurality of partition walls are spaced apart at intervals in a flowing direction of fluid.