A method and apparatus for extracting CO.sub.2 from air comprising an anion exchange material formed in a matrix exposed to a flow of the air, and for delivering that extracted CO.sub.2 to controlled environments. The present invention contemplates the extraction of CO2 from air using conventional extraction methods or by using one of the extraction methods disclosed; e.g., humidity swing or electro dialysis. The present invention also provides delivery of the CO.sub.2 to greenhouses where increased levels of CO.sub.2 will improve conditions for growth. Alternatively, the CO.sub.2 is fed to an algae culture.

A sorbent based monitoring system for measuring the solute concentration of at least one component of a fluid. The system has a sorbent regeneration system for regeneration of the fluid and has a sorbent cartridge that has at least one material layer. The fluid is conveyed through the sorbent cartridge and contacts at least one sensor after having contacted at least one material layer.

A method for manipulating ion concentration to maximize ion exchange media performance is disclosed herein. First a source liquid is directed through an ion concentrator such as a nanofilter, reverse osmosis membrane, or an evaporator/crystallizer. The ion concentrator separates the source liquid into a concentrate stream and a permeate stream wherein the permeate stream comprises a smaller concentration of ions than the concentrate stream. The concentrate stream and/or the permeate stream (input stream) may then be directed through an ion exchange vessel. The ion exchange vessel receives the input stream, enables ion exchange between the ion exchange media in the vessel and the input stream resulting in a liquid output having a smaller concentration of ions than the input stream.

A method for manipulating ion concentration to maximize ion exchange media performance is disclosed herein. First a source liquid is directed through an ion concentrator such as a nanofilter, reverse osmosis membrane, or an evaporator/crystallizer. The ion concentrator separates the source liquid into a concentrate stream and a permeate stream wherein the permeate stream comprises a smaller concentration of ions than the concentrate stream. The concentrate stream and/or the permeate stream (input stream) may then be directed through an ion exchange vessel. The ion exchange vessel receives the input stream, enables ion exchange between the ion exchange media in the vessel and the input stream resulting in a liquid output having a smaller concentration of ions than the input stream.

A sorbent based monitoring system for measuring the solute concentration of at least one component of a fluid. The system has a sorbent regeneration system for regeneration of the fluid and has a sorbent cartridge that has at least one material layer. The fluid is conveyed through the sorbent cartridge and contacts at least one sensor after having contacted at least one material layer.

A sorbent based monitoring system for measuring the solute concentration of at least one component of a fluid. The system has a sorbent regeneration system for regeneration of the fluid and has a sorbent cartridge that has at least one material layer. The fluid is conveyed through the sorbent cartridge and contacts at least one sensor after having contacted at least one material layer.

Methods of stabilizing virgin ion exchange resin material are provided. The methods include cleansing the virgin ion exchange resin material with a preparation comprising a non-ionic detergent. The methods include cleansing the virgin ion exchange resin material with a preparation comprising an alcohol solvent. The methods include rinsing virgin ion exchange resin material with deoxygenated water, the methods include introducing the cleansed/rinsed virgin ion exchange resin material into a gas impermeable vessel and hermetically sealing the vessel. The methods include introducing an oxygen scavenging material into the gas impermeable vessel, and hermetically sealing the vessel. A method of facilitating water treatment in a site in need thereof by providing a cleansed virgin ion exchange resin material in deoxygenated water is also disclosed.

Methods of stabilizing virgin ion exchange resin material are provided. The methods include cleansing the virgin ion exchange resin material with a preparation comprising a non-ionic detergent. The methods include cleansing the virgin ion exchange resin material with a preparation comprising an alcohol solvent. The methods include rinsing virgin ion exchange resin material with deoxygenated water, the methods include introducing the cleansed/rinsed virgin ion exchange resin material into a gas impermeable vessel and hermetically sealing the vessel. The methods include introducing an oxygen scavenging material into the gas impermeable vessel, and hermetically sealing the vessel. A method of facilitating water treatment in a site in need thereof by providing a cleansed virgin ion exchange resin material in deoxygenated water is also disclosed.

A control device of a fuel cell system includes an electric conductivity comparing unit for comparing the electric conductivity of the water inside the ion exchanger which is measured by the electric conductivity measuring unit with a predetermined electric conductivity range, and an ion exchange environment determining unit for arbitrarily determining whether or not air has been mixed into an ion exchanger and whether or not the ion exchange efficiency of the ion exchanger has been degraded, based on a comparison result by the electric conductivity comparing unit.

A control device of a fuel cell system includes an electric conductivity comparing unit for comparing the electric conductivity of the water inside the ion exchanger which is measured by the electric conductivity measuring unit with a predetermined electric conductivity range, and an ion exchange environment determining unit for arbitrarily determining whether or not air has been mixed into an ion exchanger and whether or not the ion exchange efficiency of the ion exchanger has been degraded, based on a comparison result by the electric conductivity comparing unit.