A method for regeneration of an ion exchange material employed in a water softening or conditioning system that includes the step of contacting the ion exchange material with an aqueous process fluid to yield a regenerated ion exchange material, wherein the ion exchange material has at least one target material associated therewith. The target material includes at least one of the following: metal ions such as those that have been extracted from a source of hard water, ionically soluble organic compounds, active water borne pathogens. The aqueous process fluid comprises a compound having the general formula:

[00001]$.Math.H_x.Math.O_{\frac{\left(x-1\right)}{2}}.Math..Math.Z_y$ wherein x is an odd integer 3; wherein y is an integer between 1 and 20; and wherein Z is a polyatomic ion, a monoatomic ion, or a mixture of a polyatomic ion and a monoatomic ion;
during the contacting step, at least a portion of the target material associated with the ion exchange material is removed from association with the ion exchange material. After removal from association with the ion exchange material, the target material can be retained in the process fluid and conveyed to a suitable recovery and/or removal source as desired or required.

A method for regeneration of an ion exchange material employed in a water softening or conditioning system that includes the step of contacting the ion exchange material with an aqueous process fluid to yield a regenerated ion exchange material, wherein the ion exchange material has at least one target material associated therewith. The target material includes at least one of the following: metal ions such as those that have been extracted from a source of hard water, ionically soluble organic compounds, active water borne pathogens. The aqueous process fluid comprises a compound having the general formula:

[00001]$.Math.H_x.Math.O_{\frac{\left(x-1\right)}{2}}.Math..Math.Z_y$ wherein x is an odd integer 3; wherein y is an integer between 1 and 20; and wherein Z is a polyatomic ion, a monoatomic ion, or a mixture of a polyatomic ion and a monoatomic ion;
during the contacting step, at least a portion of the target material associated with the ion exchange material is removed from association with the ion exchange material. After removal from association with the ion exchange material, the target material can be retained in the process fluid and conveyed to a suitable recovery and/or removal source as desired or required.

A method for regeneration of ion exchange material employed in a water softening or conditioning system. The method includes the step of contacting the ion exchange material with an aqueous process fluid to yield a regenerated ion exchange material. At least one target material associated with the resin is removed. The target material includes at least one of the following: metal ions such as those that have been extracted from a source of hard water, ionically soluble organic compounds, active water borne pathogens.

A method for regeneration of ion exchange material employed in a water softening or conditioning system. The method includes the step of contacting the ion exchange material with an aqueous process fluid to yield a regenerated ion exchange material. At least one target material associated with the resin is removed. The target material includes at least one of the following: metal ions such as those that have been extracted from a source of hard water, ionically soluble organic compounds, active water borne pathogens.

Disclosed is a water softener that includes a water softener valve and an ion exchange tank. The water softener valve includes a valve body and valve core assembly. The valve body includes a valve chamber, and a water inlet passage and a water outlet passage in communication with the valve chamber. The valve chamber, the water inlet passage, and the water outlet passage all extend in a first orientation, and the water inlet passage and the water outlet passage are both located at a periphery of the valve chamber and are disposed on opposite sides of the valve chamber in a second orientation. The water inlet passage and the water outlet passage respectively define a water inlet and a water outlet at a same end of the valve body along the first orientation. The second orientation and the first orientation are perpendicular to each other.

Disclosed is a water softener that includes a water softener valve and an ion exchange tank. The water softener valve includes a valve body and valve core assembly. The valve body includes a valve chamber, and a water inlet passage and a water outlet passage in communication with the valve chamber. The valve chamber, the water inlet passage, and the water outlet passage all extend in a first orientation, and the water inlet passage and the water outlet passage are both located at a periphery of the valve chamber and are disposed on opposite sides of the valve chamber in a second orientation. The water inlet passage and the water outlet passage respectively define a water inlet and a water outlet at a same end of the valve body along the first orientation. The second orientation and the first orientation are perpendicular to each other.

A method of initiating a liquid treatment process, comprising steps of: providing a sensing material inside a liquid treatment tank, the sensing material being subject to a change in size in response to a composition of a liquid flowing therethrough; arranging an actuating means in association with the sensing material, the actuating means being movable in response to the change in size of the sensing material; and allowing flow of an actuating stream of the liquid in response to a mechanical movement of the actuating means to thereby hydraulically actuate operation of the liquid treatment system.

A method of initiating a liquid treatment process, comprising steps of: providing a sensing material inside a liquid treatment tank, the sensing material being subject to a change in size in response to a composition of a liquid flowing therethrough; arranging an actuating means in association with the sensing material, the actuating means being movable in response to the change in size of the sensing material; and allowing flow of an actuating stream of the liquid in response to a mechanical movement of the actuating means to thereby hydraulically actuate operation of the liquid treatment system.

The present invention relates to a liquid treatment system having a sensor comprising a body, the body having a sensing material disposed therein, the sensing material being subject to a change in size in response to a composition of a liquid flowing therethrough; an actuating means disposed within the body and associated with the sensing material; wherein the actuating means is movable between a first position and a second position in response to the change in size of the sensing material to thereby mechanically actuate a switch member, such that when the actuating means is in the first position, flow of an actuating stream of the liquid is allowed by the switch member to thereby hydraulically actuate operation of the liquid treatment system; and when the actuating means is in the second position, flow of the actuating stream of the liquid is prevented by the switch member.

The present invention relates to a liquid treatment system having a sensor comprising a body, the body having a sensing material disposed therein, the sensing material being subject to a change in size in response to a composition of a liquid flowing therethrough; an actuating means disposed within the body and associated with the sensing material; wherein the actuating means is movable between a first position and a second position in response to the change in size of the sensing material to thereby mechanically actuate a switch member, such that when the actuating means is in the first position, flow of an actuating stream of the liquid is allowed by the switch member to thereby hydraulically actuate operation of the liquid treatment system; and when the actuating means is in the second position, flow of the actuating stream of the liquid is prevented by the switch member.