A liquid purification system includes a system raw liquid feed unit and a filtration unit, which includes a liquid concentration device having an internal partition dividing a variable volume collection cavity for raw liquid coming from an initial stage of liquid filtration and for mixing therein concentrate and a raw liquid displacement cavity. The cavity is connected to a secondary line that supplies raw liquid to the cavity to displace concentrate from the collection cavity and to recycle raw liquid from the displacement cavity through the secondary line under pressure exerted by concentrate and raw liquid in the collection cavity. A filtration unit provides long-term contact between raw liquid and concentrate in the variable-volume collection cavity to provide smooth increase in the concentration of liquid supplied to a liquid purification device.

Metal-chelating compositions having the structure (1a) wherein: R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, and R.sup.4 are independently selected from the following groups: (i) hydrogen atom, (ii) hydrocarbon groups (R) containing 1-12 carbon atoms; (iii) halogen atoms; (iv) —P(R.sup.5) (═O)OH groups; (v) —C(═O)OH groups; (vi) —S(═O).sub.2OH groups; and (vii) —OH groups, wherein R.sup.5 is selected from hydrocarbon groups (R) and —OH; R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 may optionally interconnect to form Ring A fused to the ring on which R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are present; R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 may optionally interconnect to form Ring B fused to the ring on which R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 are present; wherein Ring A and Ring B are optionally and independently substituted with one or more of groups (ii)-(vii). Methods of using the above-described compositions for chelating metal ions having an atomic number of at least 56 (e.g., Ba or Ra) are also described. ##STR00001##

This disclosure includes systems and methods for extracting water vapor from atmospheric air and, more particularly, but not by way of limitation, systems and methods for optimizing liquid water production from air, in some instances, taking into account diurnal variations. The systems comprise an adsorption zone an a desorption zone, an actuator to move a desiccant between the adsorption zone and the desorption zone. The liquid water production is optimized based, at least in part, on measurements of one or more of: an ambient air temperature, ambient air relative humidity, and a level of solar insolation.

This disclosure includes systems and methods for extracting water vapor from atmospheric air and, more particularly, but not by way of limitation, systems and methods for optimizing liquid water production from air, in some instances, taking into account diurnal variations. The systems comprise an adsorption zone an a desorption zone, an actuator to move a desiccant between the adsorption zone and the desorption zone. The liquid water production is optimized based, at least in part, on measurements of one or more of: an ambient air temperature, ambient air relative humidity, and a level of solar insolation.

This invention relates in general to a system for treating hard water encountered in aircraft potable water equipment; such as hot water heaters and, more particularly, to the prevention of scale deposits in aircraft lavatory and galley heated water system components by installing a unique scale reduction system. The scale reduction system generally comprised of a housing with a modular cartridge inserted therein. The cartridge is porous and contains a chemical composition within its inner cavity, and this chemical composition is mixed with untreated inlet fluid flow so that the outlet flow is of a sufficiently diluted concentration. Various chemical compositions may be utilized to counteract any number of conditions that affect potable water equipment and, in one embodiment, a water softening agent is utilized to combat scale build-up in aircraft plumbing.

A tool adapted for use with a diffuser cartridge and a fluid container, wherein the tool is adapted to facilitate insertion and removal of the diffuser cartridge to and from the fluid container. The diffuser cartridge contains mineral agent beads or other materials which can enhance the quality of fluid contained within the container.

A tool adapted for use with a diffuser cartridge and a fluid container, wherein the tool is adapted to facilitate insertion and removal of the diffuser cartridge to and from the fluid container. The diffuser cartridge contains mineral agent beads or other materials which can enhance the quality of fluid contained within the container.

The invention discloses a portable beverage vessel, comprising: a bottom portion; a wall extending from the bottom portion, wherein a upper portion of the wall forms an opening through which beverage can be poured into or out of the portable beverage vessel; a first container element; a second container element, wherein a cavity is formed between the first container element and the second container element; and a display device positioned in the cavity and having a display element for displaying information; wherein the first container element can be at least a part of the bottom portion and/or at least a part of the wall; wherein the second container element can be at least a part of the bottom portion and/or at least a part of the wall; and wherein the first container element and the second container element comprise at least one of the following: glass; ceramics; SiO.sub.2; wherein the first container element and the second container element are connected by at least one of welding, laser welding, infrared welding, infrared laser welding and welding by an infrared laser emitting pulses of a duration shorter than 1 psec.

The invention discloses a portable beverage vessel, comprising: a bottom portion; a wall extending from the bottom portion, wherein a upper portion of the wall forms an opening through which beverage can be poured into or out of the portable beverage vessel; a first container element; a second container element, wherein a cavity is formed between the first container element and the second container element; and a display device positioned in the cavity and having a display element for displaying information; wherein the first container element can be at least a part of the bottom portion and/or at least a part of the wall; wherein the second container element can be at least a part of the bottom portion and/or at least a part of the wall; and wherein the first container element and the second container element comprise at least one of the following: glass; ceramics; SiO.sub.2; wherein the first container element and the second container element are connected by at least one of welding, laser welding, infrared welding, infrared laser welding and welding by an infrared laser emitting pulses of a duration shorter than 1 psec.

Provided are a pharmaceutical composition, a quasi-drug composition, a feed additive, a drinking water additive, a feed, and a drinking water for preventing, ameliorating, or treating porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED) virus infection, each including, as an active ingredient, a complex including a curcuminoid-based compound and a licorice extract or a fraction thereof.