Abstract: A device that allows for serial (time) use of clean blood filters during the use of a heart lung machine. The device is comprised of a series of filters and a switching mechanism that allows the new filter to be placed in the blood flow pathway while at the same time removing the old (previous) filter. A clean filter is always available, and filters for specific components of blood or those able to bind and remove specific biochemicals can be used.

Abstract: The present invention constitutes dialysate formulations that are suitable for use in preparing dialysate solutions for use in batch and/or proportioning systems and for improving dialysis efficiency by reducing or preventing clotting of the dialysis flow paths. The dialysate chemical formulations for one batch of dialysate comprise an acid concentrate stored in a first vessel, and a citrate-containing bicarbonate concentrate stored in a second vessel. The contents of the first and second vessels are emptied into a dialysate preparation tank and mixed with water to form a batch quantity of dialysate solution. Alternately, a dry acid and/or a dry citrate-containing base concentrates are dissolved separately in measured quantities of water to form liquid concentrates which are then used in conjunction with a proportioning machine to generate on-line a final dialysis solution stream.

Abstract: In order to provide a filter device for filtering a fluid medium containing solids, comprising a backflushing filter and a flushing line, by means of which fluid backflushed during a backflushing phase from the backflushing filter can be supplied to a further treatment mechanism, in which the discharging of dirt from the backflushing filter is simplified, it is proposed that the backflushing filter should have a coarse dirt outlet which is connected to the flushing line so that coarse dirt which has arrived through the coarse dirt outlet into the flushing line can be supplied to the further treatment mechanism together with the backflushed fluid during the backflushing phase.

Abstract: A reverse osmosis membrane separation device includes: a reverse osmosis membrane module; a flow rate detecting unit configured to detect a flow rate of permeate water to output a detected flow rate value corresponding to the flow rate; a pressure pump configured to be driven at a rotation speed corresponding to an input drive frequency and to feed supply water to the reverse osmosis membrane module; an inverter configured to output a drive frequency corresponding to an input current value signal to the pressure pump; and a control unit configured to calculate a drive frequency of the pressure pump by a velocity type digital PID algorithm, such that a detected flow rate value output from the flow rate detecting unit becomes a target flow rate value that is set in advance to output a current value signal corresponding to a calculation value of the drive frequency to the inverter.

Abstract: Device for haemodiafiltration, which comprises a first circuit for a dialysis solution and a second circuit for blood, so that the toxic substances from the blood flow pass into the dialysis liquid within a haemofilter (11), a liquid pump (20) located upstream of the haemofilter (11) in the first dialysis liquid circuit, is adapted for injecting replacement liquid into the dialysis solution flow after a blood pump (15) finishes pumping blood to the interior of the haemofilter (11).

Abstract: Disclosed is a process that uses reverse osmosis (RO) or nanofiltration (NF) membranes and ion exchange (IX) water softening resins to maximize the production of drinking water, purified industrial service water or recycled purified municipal or industrial effluents. The membrane and ion exchange units are configured in a manner that enables operation of the system at high permeate recoveries in the range 90% to 99%, thus producing purified drinking water with a minimum volume of wastewater to drains and a very low membrane cleaning or membrane replacement frequency. The process mitigates membrane fouling and scale formation and minimizes the use of water treatment chemicals including acidic and alkali solutions and sodium chloride salt that is normally required to regenerate the IX resin.

Abstract: A dialysis machine that includes a valve body defining a pressure passage and a sealing cap disposed at a first end of the valve body such that the sealing cap closes off the pressure passage at the first end of the valve body. The sealing cap has a deformable area configured to deform outwardly away from the valve body when pressurized fluid is introduced into the pressure passage of the valve body. The sealing cap is configured so that, when a dialysis fluid cassette is disposed in a cassette compartment of the dialysis machine and pressurized fluid is introduced into the pressure passage of the valve body, the deformable area obstructs a fluid channel of the dialysis fluid cassette to control dialysis fluid flow therethrough.

Abstract: A device and method for monitoring the connection of a blood treatment unit to a fluid system of an extracorporeal blood treatment apparatus are described, in which the blood treatment unit includes an inlet and an outlet for connection to the fluid system and the fluid system includes a line system with a first line segment connected to the inlet and a second line segment connected to the outlet. An extracorporeal blood treatment apparatus includes a device for monitoring the connection of the blood treatment unit to the fluid system. The device and method for monitoring the connection of the blood treatment unit to the fluid system is based on measurement of pressure in the fluid system of the blood treatment apparatus. Solely on the basis of the pressure measurement, it is ascertained whether the connection of the blood treatment unit to the fluid system is correct or incorrect.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sensor system 10 for the capacitive measurement of the fill level of a fluid medium 22 in a container, preferably a bubble catcher of a dialysis device, comprising a receptacle 30 on which two contact areas are provided for contact with an external surface of the accommodated container and with at least one level detection electrode C1, C2, C11, C12, C21, C22 disposed in each contact area for capacitive detection of the fluid level in the container. The sensor system has a coupling measurement device C11, C12, C21, C22 for capacitive determination of the correct coupling.

Abstract: A gas hydrate slurry dewatering apparatus adapted to feed a raw as into a cylindrical main body of dewatering column so gas to attain pressuriation and so suction any gas from the interior of a drainage chamber disposed around the cylindrical main body so as to attain depressurization. An internal tube (8) as a constituent of a dewatering apparatus (6) in which the gas hydrate slurry (S) is introduced is provided with a separating section (7). A drainage chamber (10) is formed by the internal tube (8) and, disposed with a given spacing therefrom, an external tube (9). An exhaust blower (B2) and a drainage pump (P2) are connected to the drainage chamber (10). A gas feed blower (B3) for a raw gas (G1) is connected to the internal tube (8). A differential pressure detector (x1) is provided for detecting any pressure difference between the interior of the internal tube (8) and the interior of the drainage chamber (10).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a separating cyclone for separating a mixture of liquids into a heavy fraction, the cyclone comprising:—a cyclone tube (2) in which a flow space is defined, wherein the cyclone tube is provided with an inlet for infeed of a mixture of at least two different liquids, a heavy fraction outlet for discharging the heavy fraction separated from the mixture and a light fraction outlet for discharging the light fraction separated from the mixture;—a rotation generating unit (8) for setting into rotation the mixture fed in via the inlet;—a flow body (6) arranged substantially concentrically in the cyclone tube, in which body is provided a light fraction discharge channel (12) connected to the light fraction discharge, wherein the discharge channel has in flow direction a cross-section substantially decreasing along at least a portion of the length thereof.

Abstract: A system is described generally for a water capture structure that is configured to capture wave water lapping over at least one wall of the water capture structure. The at least one wall extends at least above a nominal surface water level and at least one conduit extends downward from the water capture structure. The at least one conduit has a length extending to a depth at which at least one property of water at the depth differs substantially from that of water at the surface. The at least one conduit is configured to provide thermal energy to water outside of the at least one conduit. The at least one conduit has at least one conduit wall.

Abstract: A filter media supporting the biological treatment and filtering of fluids and the method thereof.

Abstract: A bioretention module (40) for treating water is provided, which includes a side wall (42), and a base (41) having drainage openings (44) therein, wherein the side wall (42) and base (41) are configured to contain a filtration medium in which plants can be grown. A system for treating water is also provided, which includes one or more bioretention modules (40) placed in a filtration zone (14) to form a filtration layer (22), wherein the modules are configured to be removable from the filtration zone (14).

Abstract: A disc filter having a controller for controlling or minimizing effluent surges is provided. The disc filter is operative to carry out a method or process for controlling the flow of effluent produced by the disc filter. The basic method entails sensing one or more process variables that are a function of the effluent, and based at least in part on the sensed process variables, the disc filter controls the flow of the effluent by implementing various control functions such as: 1) rotating the rotary filter discs of the disc filter one revolution or less without backwashing; 2) rotating the rotary filter discs more than one revolution at a relatively slow speed without backwashing; 3) rotating the rotary filter discs for one revolution or more at a relatively slow speed while backwashing; 4) rotating the rotary filter discs at a relatively high speed with or without backwashing; and 5) rotating the filter discs one revolution or more and periodically backwashing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for water filtration of a milk of lime solution that contains water, impurities, and grit particles, in which the milk of lime solution enters a vessel, and wherein turbulence is created in the vessel, by which larger grit particles settle out of the milk of lime solution, to form a bed of grit particles in the lower end of the vessel, such that grit particles and impurities are filtered from the lime-treated water that comprises a milk of lime solution, with water then being drawn off, that may be discharged out one or more dosing locations and/or recycled back for further filtration, as may be desired.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for treating wastewater. The system includes a bioreactor which defines a basin for receiving wastewater to be treated; a membrane module in fluid communication with the bioreactor; and a dissolution tank. The tank includes a pressure vessel that contains a portion of the wastewater to be treated and provides a regulated, pressurized gas head space above the wastewater. The tank also includes at least one liquid spray nozzle that permits passage of the wastewater into the gas head space of the pressure vessel and an outlet for discharging the wastewater having a desired gas concentration from the pressure vessel. The system also includes a pumping mechanism for supplying the wastewater to the spray nozzle of the tank such that fluid droplets are formed in the gas head space and the gas contained within the pressurized head space is dissolved into the wastewater.

Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring the presence of blood in an extracorporeal blood circuit are disclosed. A control unit, which is connected to a blood detector and to one or several pressure sensors, determines whether blood is present in the membrane device based on the differential pressure there over and generates a signal if the presence of blood as detected by the blood detector and the presence of blood as determined based on the differential pressure value do not coincide with each other.

Abstract: The invention presents a drinking water server having a configuration capable of suppressing generation of bacteria in a cold water tank, in a cold water pour tube, and in a pour valve. An opening part (2c) is formed in bottom side of a cold water tank (2), and a straight cold water pour tube (6) disposed horizontally in this opening part (2c) by way of a bent part (6b). An ultraviolet lamp (8) is disposed so as to reach up to a bottom part of the bent part (6b) by way of the opening part (2c) from inside of the cold water tank (2), so that ultraviolet rays emitted from the ultraviolet lamp (8) may be emitted uniformly both in the cold water tank (2) and in the duct of the cold water pour tube (6). As a valve body of a cold water pour valve (7), a diaphragm (71) for clogging the leading end of the cold water pour tube (6) is used, and dead angle of ultraviolet rays is eliminated.

Abstract: A filter disposed as a cylinder around an axis line, and provided to be rotatable around the axis line, a treated water nozzle for emitting treated water toward an outer circumferential surface of the filter, a case provided to surround the filter, and including an outer cylindrical portion having a nozzle opening of the treated water nozzle therein, a filtered water flow path for guiding filtered water that has been transmitted through the filter to outside of the case from within the cylinder of the filter, and a discharge flow path for discharging discharged water that was not filtered through the filter to the outside of the case are provided.

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 rainwater collection system is described which includes generally a rainwater routing system and a collection unit. The rainwater routing system may comprise a first flush diversion unit designed to discharge to a run-off path, an initial amount of rainwater such that initial particulate matter from rooftops, etc., are not collected. The rainwater routing system may comprise a pre-treatment unit, the pre-treatment unit designed to remove particulate matter from the rainwater. The collection unit of the rainwater collection system comprises a storage tank having an internal day tank compartment. The described rainwater collection system allows for the collection of rainwater with a substantially reduced amount of particulate matter.

Abstract: A water producing system is provided that produces fresh water by treating treatment target water A at a first semipermeable membrane treatment plant, that mixes concentrate resulted by the treatment carried out at the first semipermeable membrane treatment plant with treatment target water B, and that treats the mixed water at a second semipermeable membrane treatment plant to produce fresh water. A bypass line allows the treatment target water A to be mixed with the treatment target water B or the concentrate while bypassing the first semipermeable membrane treatment plant, so that the second semipermeable membrane treatment plant can operate even when any trouble occurs at the first semipermeable membrane treatment plant and treatment cannot be carried out thereby.

Abstract: A system for cleaning water of a swimming pool is disclosed. The system includes at least one first housing, at least one second housing, at least one third housing and pipes. The first housing includes at least one skimmer element and a corresponding filtration element. The skimmer element receives water. The corresponding filtration element filters water drawn via the skimmer element. The second housing includes a pump element spaced apart from the first housing and draws water from the swimming pool and pump water into the first housing through the skimmer element and the filtration element, for filtering and purification purposes and finally ejecting filtered water. The third housing is spaced apart from the first and second housing and includes an output element to receive and eject filtered water. The system of the present disclosure is non invasive in nature and provides flexibility of installation.

Abstract: A method of starting up a filtration plant for the filtration of a process liquid, after cleaning of the filtration plant, and a filtration plant which is arranged to be able to started up in accordance with this method. A secondary liquid supply unit connected to the post-treatment equipment during the starting up of the plant provides a flow of e.g. sterilized water to the post-treatment equipment, so that this can be held in a condition in which it is ready for operation. Thereafter, the process liquid is led to the filtration equipment, and the flow of liquid from the secondary liquid supply unit to the post-treatment equipment is shut off when a flow of filtered process liquid is obtained, and which thereafter replaces the liquid from the secondary liquid supply unit.

Abstract: A three-way diverter assembly with a movable member is provided. The three-way diverter assembly includes a housing having a first inlet, a second inlet, a first outlet, and a second outlet. The first inlet and the second inlet are adapted to receive a fluid. The movable member, disposed in the housing adjacent the first inlet, is rotatable about an axis from a first positional limit to a second positional limit, and selectively positional therebetween. Fuel cell systems having the three-way diverter assembly for regulating temperature and humidity of a fuel cell stack are also provided.

Abstract: Fluid processing apparatuses and systems are disclosed. In some embodiments the fluid processing apparatuses include a movable enclosure, a plurality of filter housings disposed substantially within the movable enclosure, and a stand disposed within the enclosure. The filter housings are in fluid communication with one another. Each filter housing defines an elongate path and is configured to support a respective filter along the elongate flow path to filter a substantially continuous flow of fluid. The stand supports each filter housing such that the elongate flow path of each filter housing is substantially parallel to a vertical axis, wherein each filter housing is independently rotatable, relative to the stand.

Abstract: Monitoring of the performance of a blood fluid removal medium of a blood fluid removal device includes monitoring of condition, such as fluid flow rate or concentration of blood waste product, downstream of the medium. Upstream monitoring of the condition may also be performed to enhance the ability to determine whether the blood fluid removal medium is performing within predetermined ranges.

Abstract: A method for controlling an apparatus for treating blood outside the human body, with a view to improving the operation of the apparatus, the apparatus including a semi-permeable membrane carrying out an exchange of solutes, referred to as dialysis, and of liquid, referred to as ultrafiltration, with the blood, the method including at least one iteration of the following steps: determination of a so-called instantaneous value, of an ultrafiltration coefficient corresponding to the ratio of an ultrafiltration flow rate to a difference in pressure, the so-called transmembrane pressure, on either side of the semi-permeable membrane, comparison of the instantaneous value with at least one previously determined characteristic value; and control of the treatment apparatus to reach a maximum value of the ultrafiltration coefficient, the control including a variation of the ultrafiltration flow rate up to a value corresponding to the maximum value of the ultrafiltration coefficient.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an anaerobic digester configured to include input reactors into which livestock wastewater or food waste (hereinafter, ‘inflow’) is introduced; regions of an anaerobic digestion reactor designed for the inflow passing through an input reactor to perform methane fermentation to produce and transfer biogas simultaneously into the next region; an inlet pipe into which sludge liquid is drawn; an inlet pipe into which activated liquid is drawn; a biogas capturing device; a first heat exchange tube to allow the sludge liquid to perform heat exchange with a new inflow; regions of a subsequent treatment reactor to allow the sludge liquid whose heat exchange is completed to be introduced and to treat gas odor components generated from the sludge liquid; and a liquid-composting reactor in which the emitted sludge whose odor components have been removed is stored.

Abstract: A river water utilizing flue gas desulfurization system 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a pre-treatment facility 13 that removes humic substances in river water 11 to produce makeup water 12; and a desulfurization apparatus 17 that brings sulfur content in flue gas 15 into contact with limestone gypsum slurry 16 in an apparatus body 14. The pre-treatment facility 13 includes a flocculant mixing basin 22 in which a flocculant 21 is added to the river water 11 to flocculate and remove the humic substances contained in the river water 11; and an activated carbon absorption unit 23 in which the humic substances contained in the river water 11 are absorbed and removed by way of activated carbon.

Abstract: A wastewater treatment system comprising: a first treatment zone (11) fluidly connected to one or more further treatment zones (12-14), a membrane module (16) comprising a filter membrane is positioned in or fluidly connected to the further treatment zone; and a gravity settling device (15) fluidly connected to the first treatment zone (11) to receive overflow therefrom. A method of treating wastewater comprising flowing wastewater through one or more treatment zones (11-14) to produce a fluid product which is passed through a filter membrane (16) to produce a concentrated mixed liquor and a filtrate; returning at least a portion of the concentrated mixed liquor to at least one of the treatment zones (11); when the flow of wastewater water exceeds a predetermined level, flowing a portion of the returned mixed liquor to a gravity settling device (15) and clarifying the mixed liquor within the gravity settling device (15).

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for conveying a fluid to a filter unit of a medical treatment apparatus, in particular for conveying a dialysing fluid to a filter unit, in particular a blood treatment unit of an extracorporeal blood treatment apparatus, in which device includes one or more means for measuring pressure in the fluid system. Moreover, the invention relates to a method for measuring the pressure in the fluid system of such a supply device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device and a method for conveying a fluid to a filter unit of a medical treatment apparatus, in particular for conveying a dialysing fluid to a treatment unit, in particular a dialyser or filter of an extracorporeal blood treatment apparatus. The device comprises a balancing unit and a recirculation unit, which comprises one or more chambers. With the balancing unit, it is possible to supply fresh fluid continuously to the recirculation circuit and to discharge used fluid from the recirculation circuit. The supply and discharge of fresh and used dialysing fluid can take place at a flow rate other than the flow rate at which the fluid circulates in the recirculation circuit via the filter unit.

Abstract: An optical blood monitoring system with a ratiometric model determines hematocrit values for a hemodialysis patient, from which hemoglobin values for the patient are estimated. The ratiometric model is calibrated, normally against a cell counter, using blood from a blood bank. The blood from a blood bank is preserved in a long term preservative which is typically different than that found in clinical settings. The hematocrit value determined by the ratiometric model is scaled by scaling factor so that the estimated hemoglobin level output from the monitor consistently matches that measured in a clinical setting. The hematocrit scaling factor is substantially about 1.033 when the patient's blood sample is stored in a short term preservative ethylene diamine tetra acetic, and is substantially about 1.06 when the hematocrit is measured in the blood sample without preservative being added to the blood sample. The hemoglobin value can also be adjusted for altitude.

Abstract: The inventions relate to means for purifying water, primarily drinking water, and can be used in domestic water purification systems. The claimed filtered water storage unit for the storage device of a water purification system comprises a housing, an elastic chamber disposed therein for filtered water, and a region for pressurizing untreated water, which is defined between the wall of the chamber and the wall of the housing. The elastic chamber is made of a modified biaxially oriented thermoplastic elastomer and consists of a chamber body and neck, formed as a single piece, the neck being rigidly secured in the housing. The water purification system comprises a reverse osmosis membrane, a clean water discharge pipe, an overflow into a drain, a clean water tap, and a storage device comprising a filtered water storage unit and a hydro-automatic unit.

Abstract: An organic wastewater treatment apparatus comprises a biological treatment tank provided with a whole floor aeration section in which a first aerator is disposed so as to perform whole floor aeration, a solid-liquid separation section formed above the whole floor aeration section and provided with a membrane separation device immersed in activated sludge, and a flow path narrowing section formed between the whole floor aeration section and the solid-liquid separation section so as to vertically separate the whole floor aeration section and the solid-liquid separation section, wherein the flow path narrowing section includes a flow path narrowing device configured to narrow a cross-sectional area of the flow path from the whole floor aeration section to the solid-liquid separation section so as to combine fine air bubbles discharged from the first aeration device to each other and discharge the combined bubbles to an area below the membrane separation device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for operating a pool cleaner body in a manner to maximize the time spent on cleaning relative to the time spent on repositioning. More particularly, the invention is directed to a control subsystem for operating a cleaner body to enable it to primarily travel in a forward direction (i.e., forward state) along a travel path but operable also in a backup/redirect state to translate and or rotate the body to enable it to escape from obstructions while also minimizing the formation of conduit tangles. The control subsystem is configured to perform reposition operations without increasing incidents of conduit tangling by: 1—avoiding an excessive rotation of the body, e.g., approximately 180° or more, when attempting to free the body from an obstruction; and/or 2—avoiding the initiation of a timed reposition operation while the body is transitioning between a travel path at the wall surface and a travel path at the water surface.

Abstract: A system is provided to control fluid flow in a wastewater treatment system. The wastewater treatment system may include a wastewater treatment plant and a main that connects a plurality of pump stations to the wastewater treatment plant. Each of the plurality of pump stations may include a wet well and a pump carried by the wet well to pump the wastewater. The system may include a central server and a sensor in communication with the central server to sense a level of wastewater within the wet well. The pump may be moved to an on position when the level of the wastewater in the wet well is at or above a first level. The level of wastewater within the wet well may be systematically manipulated responsive to the central server to control the fluid flow in the wastewater treatment system.

Abstract: An apparatus for magnetic pre-treating of a first or second flow of fluid (11, 12) in one supply pipe (1, 1?) to a combustion chamber (6), wherein at least one magnetic field (22) is extended through said flow of fluid (11, 12) passing through said supply pipe (1, 1?), wherein said magnetic field (22) is induced by at least one electromagnet (2) each said electro magnet comprising an electrical coil (21) provided with energy from a voltage source (3); with an electrical pulse generator (4) provided with voltage from said voltage source (3) and arranged to generate electrical pulses (p) with a desire frequency (f) to said electrical coil (21).

Abstract: There is a water enhancement system coupled to a water conduit, wherein the water enhancement system is configured to enhance a water supply. The water enhancement system includes a filtration system coupled to a water conduit, configured to filter water flowing therethrough. The water enhancement system also includes an enhancement system coupled to the filtration system, configured to treat water flowing therethrough by dispensing a fluid therein. The enhancement system includes a plurality of cartridge sockets and matching cartridges configured to selectably couple together and contain enhancing fluid. The water enhancement system further includes a treatment bracket coupled about the water conduit and to the enhancement system. The water enhancement system additionally includes a treatment device coupled about the treatment bracket and configured to alter a characteristic of the water flowing therethrough.

Abstract: The present invention provides an integrated method and system for treating a contaminated fluid. The integrated system and method is configured to simultaneously perform multiple functions, for example, transportation, mixing, treatment and separation. The contaminated fluid and treating agents are pumped simultaneously into a processing tank and vigorously mixed by at least one pump-mixer. The at least one pump-mixer is configured to simultaneously perform combined functions such as fluid transportation, rapid and vigorous mixing and treatment. The rapid and vigorous mixing by at least one pump-mixer enhances the processing rates considerably. The contaminants and the disaggregated particles undergo treatment as a result of their reactions with the treating agents. The process residuals, usually in the form of sludge, are separated from the treated fluid. The separation system is also configured to simultaneously perform multiple functions.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to hemodialysis and similar dialysis systems, including a variety of systems and methods that would make hemodialysis more efficient, easier, and/or more affordable. One aspect of the invention is generally directed to new fluid circuits for fluid flow. In one set of embodiments, a hemodialysis system may include a blood flow path and a dialysate flow path, where the dialysate flow path includes one or more of a balancing circuit, a mixing circuit, and/or a directing circuit. Preparation of dialysate by the preparation circuit, in some instances, may be decoupled from patient dialysis. In some cases, the circuits are defined, at least partially, within one or more cassettes, optionally interconnected with conduits, pumps, or the like. In one embodiment, the fluid circuit and/or the various fluid flow paths may be at least partially isolated, spatially and/or thermally, from electrical components of the hemodialysis system.

Abstract: A device (1) for subjecting a liquid to a purifying process comprises an assembly of a first container (10) and a second container (20) for receiving and containing a liquid, wherein means (11) for performing a purifying action on the liquid are arranged in the first container (10), wherein the second container (20) is arranged for receiving an overflow from the first container (10), and wherein a liquid passage (15) is present between the first container (10) and the second container (20). Furthermore, the device (1) comprises means (16) which are associated with the liquid passage (15) between the first container (10) and the second container (20), and which are adapted to assume various states, including a state for blocking the liquid passage (15), and a state for deblocking the liquid passage (15), wherein the device (1) may also be equipped with means (17) for controlling the blocking/deblocking means (16).

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 separating system for separating a fluid mixture incorporates a smart surface having reversibly switchable properties. A voltage is selectively applied to the smart surface to attract or repel constituents of a fluid mixture, such as oil and water produced from a hydrocarbon well. The smart surface can be used in a conditioner to increase droplet size prior to entering a conventional separator, or the smart surface and other elements of the invention can be incorporated into an otherwise conventional separator to enhance separation. In a related aspect, a concentration sensor incorporating smart surfaces senses concentration of the fluid mixture's constituents.

Abstract: The present invention is directed generally to devices and methods for controlling fluid flow in meso-scale fluidic components in a programmable manner. Specifically, the present invention is directed to an apparatus and method for placing two microfluidic components in fluid communication at an arbitrary position and time, both of which are externally defined. The inventive apparatus uses electromagnetic radiation to perforate a material layer having selected adsorptive properties. The perforation of the material layer allows the fluid communication between microfluidic components allowing volumetric quantitation of fluids. Using the perforation of the material functionality such as metering and multiplexing are achieved on a microscale. This functionality is achieved through basic operations, like dosimeters filling, dosimeters purging, dosimeters extraction, dosimeters ventilation and channels routing.

Abstract: A water treatment system can be essentially non-electric, and can use gravity to produce water that is safe for drinking. By such a system there can be provided a low cost, reliable way to treat water that is contaminated by water borne pathogens, to reduce or eliminate such contaminants to a safe level, and thereby produce water that is drinkable.

Abstract: There is provided a chemical liquid supply system configured to filter a chemical liquid by opening/closing operations of first and second opening/closing valves and a supply/exhaust operation. The chemical liquid supply system includes a pressure sensor, a flow meter, an electro-pneumatic regulator and a controller. The pressure sensor detects a pressure in the operation room when the first opening/closing valve is opened at a time of starting a replenishment of the chemical liquid into the chemical liquid pump. The flow rate sensor detects an exhaust flow rate exhausted from the operation room. The controller adjusts an exhaust pressure by controlling the electro-pneumatic regulator based on the detected pressure and the detected exhaust flow rate so as not to cause an excessive pressure change when the replenishment of the chemical liquid is started.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a filter (5) for a return line (L1, L2) for hydraulic oil to a hydraulic tank (2), which filter (5) comprises a filter element (11). According to the invention, the filter (5) is arranged to filter the hydraulic oil through the filter element (11) when the hydraulic oil lies below a first oil level (H1) in the filter (5), and the filter (5) comprises an arrangement (15) to lead the hydraulic oil past the filter element (11) when the oil level (H) in the filter (5) exceeds the first oil level (H1).