Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes an air inlet, a filter, a fan, and a main air outlet. The filter has a clean side and an unclean side. An unclean air chamber is formed between the air inlet and the unclean side of the filter. A first air chamber is formed between the clean side of the filter and the fan. An air outlet chamber is formed between the fan and the main air outlet. The upstream end of the air outlet chamber is connected to the first air chamber. An airflow may enter the vacuum cleaner from an external environment via the air inlet under the action of the fan, and sequentially passes through the unclean air chamber, the filter, the first air chamber and the air outlet chamber the main air outlet. The vacuum cleaner may include a self-cleaning air passage and an air supply air passage.

Abstract: The present invention concerns an air filter cleaning device having a rotating stage on which an air filter to be cleaned is seated and rotated about its central axis; and an inner outlet head configured to extend through a central opening of the rotating stage and be vertically moveable between a lower position and an upper position at least parallel to the central axis of the air filter, said outlet head having at least one gas outlet for discharging pressurized air outwardly through at least one wall of the air filter for dislodging contaminants; an outer vacuum head located externally to the air filter for suctioning the contaminants dislodged from the air filter by the inner outlet head wherein the inner outlet head is further configured such that the lower position is located less than about 1,500 mm above a support surface for the cleaning device.

Abstract: Disclosed is a heat exchanger for a thermal management system of an aircraft assembly, the heat exchanger including: a core including a first side with a first core inlet, a second side opposing the first side and includes a first core outlet, the first core inlet is in fluid communication with the first core outlet, a third side having a second core inlet and a fourth side opposing the third side and includes a second core outlet, the second core inlet is in fluid communication with the second core outlet, and a screen wrapped around the core, the screen covering the first core inlet and the first core outlet, and a plurality of rollers disposed between the core and the screen for movably securing the screen to the core, the rollers engaging the screen and movement of at least one of the rollers moves the screen about the core.

Abstract: A fiber material storage device for a textile includes a storage chute having a chute housing and a supply line leading into the storage chamber. Fiber material is pneumatically conveyed with conveying air into the storage chamber. A cleaning unit in the storage chamber cleans contamination from the conveying air and includes a cleaning chamber. A semipermeable dividing wall is situated between the storage chamber and the cleaning chamber to retain the fiber material in the storage chamber and allow the contaminated conveying air to flow into the cleaning chamber. A filter element is situated in the conveying air flow between the cleaning chamber and outer surroundings to retain the contamination in the cleaning chamber and allow filtered conveying air to escape into the surroundings. The cleaning housing has a collection chamber situated underneath the cleaning chamber, wherein the contamination retained by the filter element settles in the collection chamber.

Abstract: An air purifier is provided. The air purifier according to an exemplary embodiment includes a body including an air inlet and an air outlet, an air blowing unit disposed in an inside of the body, the air blowing unit being configured to forcibly introduce outside air into the inside of the body through the air inlet and discharge air into the air outlet, a filter unit rotatably disposed between the air blowing unit and the air inlet, a driving motor configured to rotate the filter unit, and a cleaning member detachably connected to a vacuum cleaner and disposed in proximity to the filter unit to guide contaminants adhering to the filter unit to be flown into the vacuum cleaner.

Abstract: According to various aspects and embodiments, a system and method for two-stage filtration is provided. The system includes an inlet fluidly connectable with wastewater, a first stage filter assembly that is fluidly connectable with the inlet and has a rotary drum with a filter surface configured for radially inward fluid flow, a second stage filter assembly that is fluidly connectable with the first stage filter and has a plurality of filter discs configured for radially outward fluid flow, and an outlet fluidly connectable with filtrate generated by the second stage disc filter assembly.

Abstract: An emission control system is provided for diesel engines operated on ocean-going ships at-berth that may be easily installed and removed from on ocean-going ships (or vessels) while at-berth. The emission control system is arranged within a housing sized to fit within space allocated for standard shipping containers. The emission control system has an inlet for receiving exhaust from a ships engine, cleans the exhaust and then passes the exhaust through an exhaust outlet connected to the ships stacks.

Abstract: A separator and method for separating a heterogeneous supply into a liquid and a solid material. The separator includes a casing in which the supply can collect, and which has an inlet for receiving the supply and an outlet for conveying the supply. The separator also includes a screen which rotates relative to the casing. The screen has perforated sections having a plurality of perforations which permit passage of the liquid. The screen allows for the accumulation of the supply within it, which rises to a level corresponding to a supply height. As this supply height, a screening pressure acts against the perforated sections so as to compact the solid material against the perforations while the liquid passes therethrough. A suction unit sucks the compacted solid material from the perforations, and is disposed higher than the supply height. A supply level regulator regulates the level of the supply within the screen.

Abstract: An intake air distribution system for removing contamination from an air filter screen includes walls defining an interior space. The intake air distribution system includes an air blower positioned within the interior space of the air filter screen. The air blower includes an inlet positioned to draw air in through the air filter screen and an outlet through which air is exhausted from the blower. A manifold is connected to the outlet of the blower for directing air onto the walls of the air filter screen and out through the air filter screen.

Abstract: A method of filtering air entering the intake opening of a gas turbine engine. A straightening tube provides a straight channel for incoming air flow. A flow redirector provides a path for air flow that is at right angles to the channel provided by the straightening tube and that leads to the intake opening of the engine. A filter at the downstream end of the flow redirector has a pair of rollers for unrolling and re-rolling a roll of adhesive tape, with an exposed section of the adhesive tape blocking the downstream end of the flow redirector and capturing particles in the air flow. The rollers are activated as needed to expose fresh sections of tape.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a soot sensor. In one example, a method diverting exhaust gas from a main exhaust passage to a second exhaust passage comprising a soot sensor with a rotatable component configurable to capture soot.

Abstract: A particle separator for removing particles in a flow of air is provided. The particle separator having: a conduit for directing air towards a curved section of the conduit; and a drum in fluid communication with the conduit proximate to the curved section of the conduit, wherein particles in the air travelling towards the curved section will contact a surface of the drum.

Abstract: A device for cleaning and fine-sorting grain metallurgical waste fines and the method for cleaning and fine-sorting grain metallurgical waste fines. The material is fed to the device for cleaning of fine metallurgical waste from the feeding tank (1), by means of a feeding mechanism (2) and is transported to initial separator (3), into which air is blown with a fan (4). The most dusty fractions hovering in the initial separator (3) are directed to the collector (6). However, the largest fractions of metallurgical waste fall to the bottom part, and they are removed with a cascade pipeline (7) directed upwards to the cascade separator (8). Lighter fractions accumulated in the cascade separator (8), are directed to the collector (6), and then to the next cascade separator (15), from where lighter and finer fractions of metallurgical waste are directed to expanded cascade separator (16), and the lightest fraction of waste are then directed to the cyclone dust collector (18).

Abstract: Described are multi-stage drum filtration systems including a primary rotary drum filter stage, at least one passive filter stage, and a main fan configured to create a vacuum on an inlet side of the primary rotary drum filter stage. The multi-stage drum filtration system may also include a HEPA filter stage. A controller may be configured to control a speed of the main fan to maintain an inlet vacuum to the primary rotary drum filter stage that corresponds to an inlet vacuum set point input.

Abstract: An internally fed drum filter for treating waste water, includes an inlet distribution arrangement for distributing waste water entering the drum filter via an inlet duct, characterized in that the inlet distribution arrangement includes an adjustable flow deflection member arranged near the outflow opening of the inlet duct, downstream thereof, for adjusting the flow characteristics of waste water entering the drum filter via the inlet duct.

Abstract: A rotary dust screen for a cooling unit of an agricultural vehicle includes a frame having a ring shape, wherein a dust screen is mounted in the frame and wherein the frame includes a seal extending along the ring and comprising a lip adapted to abut, when the rotary dust screen is mounted on the cooling unit, against a housing of the cooling unit to prevent contaminants from entering the cooling unit at an edge of the dust screen, wherein the rotary dust screen further has a driving belt adapted to be driven by a rotary actuator to rotate the dust screen, wherein the driving belt engages with the rotary dust screen at an outer surface of the seal.

Abstract: A filter assembly and method of filtering a fluid containing particulates is provided having a filter element mounted on a horizontal mandrel, whereby the filter element and mandrel are rotatable within a housing during a self-cleaning step, wherein the filter element is immersed and agitated in a cleaning liquid followed by high speed rotation while a rinsing liquid is delivered to the core of the filter element. An ultrasonic transducer in the housing may be activated while the filter element is immersed in the cleaning liquid to assist in removing accumulated particulates from the filter element.

Abstract: Described are multi-stage drum filtration systems including a primary rotary drum filter stage, at least one passive filter stage, and a main fan configured to create a vacuum on an inlet side of the primary rotary drum filter stage. The multi-stage drum filtration system may also include a HEPA filter stage. A controller may be configured to control a speed of the main fan to maintain an inlet vacuum to the primary rotary drum filter stage that corresponds to an inlet vacuum set point input.

Abstract: Described are multi-stage drum filtration systems including a primary rotary drum filter stage, at least one passive filter stage, and a main fan configured to create a vacuum on an inlet side of the primary rotary drum filter stage. The multi-stage drum filtration system may also include a HEPA filter stage. A controller may be configured to control a speed of the main fan to maintain an inlet vacuum to the primary rotary drum filter stage that corresponds to an inlet vacuum set point input.

Abstract: A filtration system particularly suited for removing a particulate material from a hot gas includes a housing, a collection system including at least one collection belt, a cleaning system to clean the collected particulate material from the at least one collection belt, and a removal system for removing the collected particulate material from the housing.

Abstract: An electrostatic precipitator for removing a particulate material includes a housing having an internally formed air path communicating between an inlet for drawing polluted air containing particulate material and an air outlet for emitting clean air purified by removing the particulate material, an air stream generator that generates an air stream, a discharging mechanism that charges the particulate material, and a collection device provided in the air stream to collect the particulate material which has been charged by the discharging mechanism. The collection device includes a collection belt including a flat wire belt defining a three-dimensional collection surface. The precipitator further includes a brush and vacuum assembly for removing the particulate material and reducing the risk of reentrainment in the air stream.

Abstract: The present invention includes: a rolled filter stretched between first and second winding shafts and, unused part of the filter being wound around the second winding shaft; a brush provided between the first and the second winding shafts so as to come into contact with a surface of the filter; a feeding mechanism for driving the first and the second winding shafts to take up or rewind the filter; and a feeding control unit for controlling the feeding mechanism. When activating a renewing operation for feeding unused part of the filter from the second winding shaft, the feeding control unit controls the feeding mechanism such that once the filter is taken up by the first winding shaft by an take-up amount La, the filter is rewound by the second winding shaft by a rewind amount Lb, and La and Lb satisfy a relationship La?Lb.

Abstract: A machine includes a heat exchanger for an engine having a heat exchanger core and a filtration system. The filtration system includes a flexible filter sheet coupled with at least one take-up roller and a filter cleaner adapted to clean the filter via compressed air. A method of operating a machine cooling system includes rotating a rotatable drive element coupled with a filter, and cleaning the filter by directing compressed air therethrough.

Abstract: A filter device includes an inclining panel and a movable filter structure. The inclining panel is arranged between a first electronic device housing device and a second electronic device housing device for housing electronic device, and separates the space to the side of the first electronic device housing device and the space to the side of the second electronic device housing device. The movable filter structure circles around to surround the circumference of the inclining panel.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and apparatuses for removing aerosols and, in some cases, vapor phase contaminants, such as mercury, from a gas stream. One method is directed to the removal of additional aerosols from a gas stream from which aerosols have previously been removed by using a screen in combination with a primary aerosol collection device. Another method is directed to the removal of both aerosols and vapor phase contaminants by using a sorbent in combination with a screen. Another method is directed to the removal of vapor phase contaminants by using a catalyst to convert the contaminant to a form that is more easily removed from the gas stream and optionally injecting a chemical to increase the rate of conversion. The invention also provides various apparatuses for use in performing the various methods of the invention.

Abstract: Apparatus for evacuating water and dirt from a cooler box of a cooling system, incorporated with a blow-off for an air screen of the system. The water and dirt will flow through an aperture in a lower region of the cooler box into a smaller box of the apparatus disposed therebelow. A fan operable for generating the air flow through the air screen and the cooler box, also blows a portion of the flow through a blow-off channel to the air screen for blowing debris away from the air screen. The channel and smaller box are cooperatively configured such that the air flow through the channel will generate a partial vacuum condition in the smaller box operable for evacuating the water and the dirt into the channel so as to be carried away with debris from the air screen.

Abstract: An assembly includes a reservoir for holding a fluid, and a scavenge passage connected to the reservoir at a reservoir inlet. The scavenge passage returns the fluid from a delivery location to the reservoir. A bleed passage is connected in fluid communication between the reservoir and the scavenge passage.

Abstract: An air cleaner 10 includes an air cleaner case 3 having an inlet 1 for introducing air and an outlet 2 for ejecting air. An intake pipe 5 having an intake opening 4 opened upward or obliquely upward in the air cleaner case 3 is connected to the outlet 2. The air cleaner 10 includes a main air filter element 6a positioned above the intake opening 4 and an auxiliary air filter element 6b, which is separate from the main air filter element 6a, positioned above the intake opening 4 but below the main air filter element 6a. The main air filter element 6a is configured to be detachable from the air cleaner case 3 with the auxiliary air filter element 6b fixed in the air cleaner case 3.

Abstract: A self-cleaning blow-off for a rotary air screen, includes a blow-off channel including an inlet disposed for receiving a flow of air from a pressurized air source, and a movable blow-off channel section configured and supported to be movable between an operational position disposed adjacent to a portion of the air screen for directing the flow of air for blowing debris and dirt from the screen, and a cleaning position disposed away from the screen such that accumulated debris and dirt in the blow-off section will be released. And, an actuator is connected to and controllably operable for moving the movable blow-off section between the operating position and the cleaning position. The actuator can be controlled to move the movable blow-off section to the cleaning position periodically, as desired, or responsive to an input.

Abstract: An air filter arrangement for an agricultural combine located on a panel at a side wall of the agricultural combine. The air filter arrangement includes a rotary filter mounted for rotation at a first aperture, a scoop enclosing the rotary filter and blocking substantially all air flow to the rotary filter except at a scoop inlet disposed along an upper edge of the scoop above the rotary filter, and at least one stationary filter disposed to filter air passing through a second aperture in the panel, the stationary filter being located between an upper portion of the rotary filter and the scoop inlet.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for unblocking a perforated rotary filter screen. In the invention, at least one jet of high pressure air is directed at a surface of the filter screen as the filter screen is rotated and the or each jet of air is moved in a direction transverse to the direction of movement of the perforations in the screen in order to cause the or each air jet to trace a spiral or helical path over the surface of the screen.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises an inlet capable of receiving air around a seat, a contaminant conditioning system, an outlet, and a fan system. The contaminant conditioning system may be capable of removing contaminants from the air to form conditioned air. The outlet may be capable of expelling the conditioned air around the seat. The fan system may be capable of drawing the air from a breathing zone through the inlet, moving the air drawn from the inlet to the contaminant conditioning system to form the conditioned air, and moving the conditioned air out of the outlet.

Abstract: An assembly includes a reservoir for holding a fluid, and a scavenge passage connected to the reservoir at a reservoir inlet. The scavenge passage returns the fluid from a delivery location to the reservoir. A bleed passage is connected in fluid communication between the reservoir and the scavenge passage.

Abstract: A vehicle drain hole structure includes an enclosure (e.g., an air intake tube, an intake enclosure, a resonator, a cleaner, etc.) defined by at least one wall. The at least one wall has an inner surface and an outer surface. A drain hole is defined in the at least one wall for providing drainage from the enclosure. The drain hole extends from a first end defined in the inner surface to a second end defined in the outer surface. The first end of the drain hole at the inner surface has a larger cross-sectional area than the second end of the drain hole at the exterior surface to reduce the likelihood of a liquid film forming across the drain hole.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a manifold for a filter assembly. The manifold includes a first base which may define a first inlet configured to direct fuel flow to a first filter element, and a first outlet configured to direct fuel flow from the first filter element to the second filter element. The manifold includes a second base operably coupled to the first base. The second base may define a barrier which prevents the fuel flow from flowing from the first inlet to the second filter element without passing through the first filter element. The second base may also define a second inlet configured to receive fuel flow from the first outlet and direct the fuel flow to the second filter element, and a second outlet configured to receive the fuel flow from the second filter element.

Abstract: Compounds of formula (I) and formula (III): wherein A is —F or —CF3; Rf is independently C1-C6 perfluorinated linear or branched alkyl optionally interrupted by one or more oxygens; Ro is a linear or branched aliphatic group of about 10 to about 100 carbon atoms, interrupted by about 5 to about 50 ether oxygens, wherein the ratio of ether oxygen to carbon atoms is about 1:2 to about 1:3; and wherein each carbon atom has at most one ether oxygen atom bonded to it, and covalent bonding between ether oxygen atoms is absent; m is an integer of 1 to 3; Y?m is an anionic radical selected from the group consisting of halide, C1-C6 carboxylate, carbonate, hydrocarbonate, sulfate, hydrosulfate, C1-C6 sulfonate, phosphate, hydrophosphate, and dihydrophosphate. Further embodiments include methods of lowering surface tension of a medium comprising contacting the medium with a composition of formula (I), (III), or a mixture thereof.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine gas-oil separator is provided by one or more rotative inertial impactor separators in an interior chamber of the engine and mounted to a rotating engine shaft in such interior chamber.

Abstract: A refrigeration system that includes at least one semi-closed air-refrigerated chamber and an air-cycle refrigeration loop for drawing air from the refrigerated chamber(s), cools the air, and returns the now-cooled air to the refrigerated chamber(s). The refrigeration loop includes various compression, expansion and heat transfer stages for cooling the air drawn from the refrigerated chamber(s). The air within the refrigerated chamber and air infiltrating into the refrigerated chamber(s) will typically contain moisture. A positive-pressure cyclone separator located between a final expansion stage and the refrigerated chamber(s) removes snow created in the final expansion stage due to moisture in the air drawn from the refrigerated chamber(s).

Abstract: An endless filtering sheet, having an interior entrained about rollers, extends in a path of movement over an air inlet in a housing for receiving air flow and presents an exterior from which dirt and debris collected from the incoming air flow and which dirt and debris is removed in a horizontal reach by gravity and/or an air flow. A drive mechanism continuously moves the sheet in the endless path to provide a continuously operating air filtration system for a heat exchanger in a HVAC system that is self-cleaning.

Abstract: A lint filter device for an airflow in a tumble dryer, comprising an endlessly circulating element, arranged around at least two deflector elements and positioned such as to be crossed by the airflow. The circulating element has an upper edge and a lower edge and first engaging elements are arranged on at least one of the two edges which, on opening a loading door of the tumble dryer may come to cooperate with at least one second engaging element, arranged inside the tumble dryer such that, on the opening process of the loading door, the circulating element may be automatically moved in a circulating direction and may be passed across at least one device for the removal of lint from the circulating element. The invention further relates to a method for cleaning such a lint filter device.

Abstract: An inner portion of a filter cleaning portion 300 arranged at an inner portion of an interior unit is respectively arranged with cleaning units 300A, 300B constituted by arranging upper brushes 344a, 344b brought into contact with one face of an air filter and lower brushes 322a, 322b brought into contact with other face of the air filter 5 opposedly to each other at filter inlet/outlet 350a, 350b of the filter cleaning portion 300. Further, a longitudinal frame 54 and a transverse frame 55 of an air filter 5 having a filter sheet 51 in a shape of a meshed sheet for catching dust and a frame 52 for supporting the filter sheet 51 are formed on a rear face side (side of heat exchanger 3) of the filter sheet 51.

Abstract: An air cleaner assembly and an air induction system for an internal combustion engine. The air cleaner assembly preferably is formed using first and second housing members that are assembled to define an interior volume. A hydrocarbon adsorber is located within air induction system, e.g., within the interior volume of the air cleaner assembly. The hydrocarbon adsorber is positioned outside of the main air flow within a recess formed in a wall of one of the housing members. A purge channel is formed in the interior wall that houses the hydrocarbon adsorber. Air flow through the air induction system passes via the purge channel through the hydrocarbon adsorber. By facilitating air flow through the hydrocarbon adsorber that is positioned outside of the main airflow, the hydrocarbon adsorber is self-regenerating and does not have to be replaced over the lifetime of the vehicle as a result of hydrocarbon build-up.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is a fan to direct air through a screen to cool the engine. A cyclonic air cleaner assembly receives air from the blower fan and directs the air towards a carburetor.

Abstract: An air cleaner 10 includes an air cleaner case 3 having an inlet 1 for introducing air and an outlet 2 for ejecting air. An intake pipe 5 having an intake opening 4 opened upward or obliquely upward in the air cleaner case 3 is connected to the outlet 2. The air cleaner 10 includes a main air filter element 6a positioned above the intake opening 4 and an auxiliary air filter element 6b, which is separate from the main air filter element 6a, positioned above the intake opening 4 but below the main air filter element 6a. The main air filter element 6a is configured to be detachable from the air cleaner case 3 with the auxiliary air filter element 6b fixed in the air cleaner case 3.

Abstract: A bearing holder (66) having a bearing (67) rotatably supporting a crankshaft (14) is fixed so as to face an opening (11k) of the engine case (11). A gas-liquid separation chamber (83) is formed between a cover member (68) covering the opening (11k) and the bearing holder (66). Therefore, by utilizing the bearing holder (66) as a part of the wall surface of the gas-liquid separation chamber (83), the gas-liquid separation chamber (83) can be partitioned without increasing the number of components and without forming a special wall surface in the engine case (11). Thus, it is possible to reduce the size and weight of the engine case (11), and reduce the cost by simplifying the shape thereof and reducing the number of components. Also, a labyrinth 82 is formed by ribs (66d, 66e, 68a, 68d) projecting from the bearing holder (66) and the cover member (68), and therefore gas-liquid separation can be effectively performed by the labyrinth (82).

Abstract: An apparatus for pneumatic cleaning of diesel particulate filters (DPF). First and second nozzle members direct flows of compressed air into the axially-extending filter cells from both ends of the filter, the nozzle members generally being offset so as to avoid blowing directly towards one another. The flows form the nozzles impinge only relatively small areas of the end faces of the filter media, e.g., only one or a few cells at a time. The nozzle members are moved over substantially the entirety of the first and second end faces, so that as cleaning progresses compressed air is directed into substantially all of the filter cells from opposite directions. The nozzles may be translated on reciprocated arms while the filter is rotated simultaneously on a turntable or rollers, so that the nozzles sweep over the whole surface of each end; other mechanisms, such as various combinations of gears or pistons, may be used for relative movement between the nozzles and filters.

Abstract: An air cleaner includes an air intake port and an exhaust port on a side opposite to the intake port. A filter extends to the exhaust port side from the intake port side and divides the air cleaner into suction side and exhaust side air chambers. A distance between a side wall part of the suction side air chamber and the filter gradually decreases to the back of the suction side air chamber from the intake port. A distance between a side wall part of the exhaust side air chamber and the filter gradually increases to the exhaust port.

Abstract: The invention relates to a compensating shaft module of an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle or similar, comprising a compensating shaft and a cartridge which receives the compensating shaft at least in areas and is maintained by means of bearings. Said cartridge comprises at least one raw blowby-gas-inlet which is connected to a centrifugal force separator of the compensating shaft and a conveyor which conveys the blowby-gases into the inside of the compensating shaft, whereby the rotor thereof is arranged on the compensating shaft which comprises at least one pure blowby gas outlet which is arranged downstream of the conveyor.

Abstract: A swirl generator is arranged in a duct through which air is sent from the exterior to an air cleaner. The swirl generator has a plurality of guide vanes, which change the flow direction of an air flow. Each of the guide vanes has a guide fin that adjusts the air flow and a deflecting fin that applies swirl force to the air flow. The deflecting fin is configured by an upstream portion and a downstream portion, which are connected together at a predetermined angle. The upstream portion and the downstream portion each have a cross section extending linearly along a cylindrical plane coaxial with a nose cone.

Abstract: Compounds of formula (I) and formula (III): wherein A is —F or —CF3; Rf is independently C1-C6 perfluorinated linear or branched alkyl optionally interrupted by one or more oxygens; Ro is a linear or branched aliphatic group of about 10 to about 100 carbon atoms, interrupted by about 5 to about 50 ether oxygens, wherein the ratio of ether oxygen to carbon atoms is about 1:2 to about 1:3; and wherein each carbon atom has at most one ether oxygen atom bonded to it, and covalent bonding between ether oxygen atoms is absent; m is an integer of 1 to 3; Y?m is an anionic radical selected from the group consisting of halide, C1-C6 carboxylate, carbonate, hydrocarbonate, sulfate, hydrosulfate, C1-C6 sulfonate, phosphate, hydrophosphate, and dihydrophosphate. Further embodiments include methods of lowering surface tension of a medium comprising contacting the medium with a composition of formula (I), (III), or a mixture thereof.