An apparatus (100) for purifying fluid, wherein the apparatus (100) comprises an osmosis unit (102) configured for pre-purifying the fluid to be purified by forward osmosis of the fluid, which is to be purified, through an osmosis membrane (104) into a chamber (106) comprising dissolved first ions, in particular first cations and first anions, an ion exchange unit (108) configured for exchanging at least part of the first ions, in particular at least part of at least one of the first cations and the first anions, by second ions, in particular at least one of second cations and second anions, and a re-concentration unit (110) configured for separating the pre-purified fluid after the ion exchange into purified fluid and into a re-concentrate enriched with the respective ions, in particular anions and cations.

An apparatus (100) for purifying fluid, wherein the apparatus (100) comprises an osmosis unit (102) configured for pre-purifying the fluid to be purified by forward osmosis of the fluid, which is to be purified, through an osmosis membrane (104) into a chamber (106) comprising dissolved first ions, in particular first cations and first anions, an ion exchange unit (108) configured for exchanging at least part of the first ions, in particular at least part of at least one of the first cations and the first anions, by second ions, in particular at least one of second cations and second anions, and a re-concentration unit (110) configured for separating the pre-purified fluid after the ion exchange into purified fluid and into a re-concentrate enriched with the respective ions, in particular anions and cations.

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

A process for extracting a surfactant from a mixture using a boronic acid modified material.

Systems and methods for managing effluent from recharging zirconium phosphate and/or zirconium oxide are provided. The systems and methods control the pH of the zirconium phosphate and zirconium oxide effluent to allow for safe disposal. The systems and methods provide for management of the recharger effluent pH while recharging zirconium phosphate and zirconium oxide either independently or concurrently.

Control logic and processes for monitoring and controlling sorbent rechargers are presented. The control logic and processes use control systems to monitor the rechargers for performance problems and to control the recharging process. Various sensors in communication with the control systems are provided to ensure proper operation.

Methods and systems for an integrated acid regeneration of ion exchange resins are disclosed for use in cleaning applications. Acid resins designed for use in a variety of cleaning application using a treated, softened, acidic water source are disclosed. Various methods of using the softened acidic water generated by acid regenerate-able ion exchange resins within a cleaning application, e.g. ware wash machine, are disclosed to beneficially reduce spotting, filming and scale buildup on treated surfaces, reduce and/or eliminate the need for polymers, threshold reagents and/or rinse aids, and using protons generated in the acidic water effluent for triggering events useful in various cleaning applications.

In alternative embodiments, the invention provides processes and methods for the recovery, removal or extracting of, and subsequent purification of uranium from a wet-process phosphoric acid using a continuous ion exchange processing approach, where the uranium is recovered from a phosphoric acid, or a phos-acid feedstock using either a dual or a single stage extraction methodology. In both cases an intermediate ammonium uranyl-tricarbonate solution is formed. In alternative embodiments, in the dual cycle approach, this solution is contacted in a second continuous ion exchange system with a strong anion exchange resin then subsequently recovered as an acidic uranyl solution that is further treated to produce an intermediate uranyl peroxide compound which is ultimately calcined to produce the final uranium oxide product. In alternative embodiments, in the single cycle case, the intermediate ammonium uranyl-tricarbonate solution is evaporated to decompose the ammonium carbonate and produce an intermediate uranium carbonate/oxide solid material. These solids are digested in an acid medium, and then processed in the same manner as the secondary regeneration solution from the dual cycle process to produce an intermediate uranyl peroxide that is calcined to produce a final uranium oxide product.

In alternative embodiments, the invention provides processes and methods for the recovery, removal or extracting of, and subsequent purification of uranium from a wet-process phosphoric acid using a continuous ion exchange processing approach, where the uranium is recovered from a phosphoric acid, or a phos-acid feedstock using either a dual or a single stage extraction methodology. In both cases an intermediate ammonium uranyl-tricarbonate solution is formed. In alternative embodiments, in the dual cycle approach, this solution is contacted in a second continuous ion exchange system with a strong anion exchange resin then subsequently recovered as an acidic uranyl solution that is further treated to produce an intermediate uranyl peroxide compound which is ultimately calcined to produce the final uranium oxide product. In alternative embodiments, in the single cycle case, the intermediate ammonium uranyl-tricarbonate solution is evaporated to decompose the ammonium carbonate and produce an intermediate uranium carbonate/oxide solid material. These solids are digested in an acid medium, and then processed in the same manner as the secondary regeneration solution from the dual cycle process to produce an intermediate uranyl peroxide that is calcined to produce a final uranium oxide product.

Systems and methods for recharging zirconium phosphate and zirconium oxide are provided. The systems and methods provide for recharging of the zirconium phosphate and zirconium oxide in reusable sorbent modules. The systems and methods include recharging flow paths for recharging zirconium phosphate independently or concurrently.