Fusion proteins containing a targeting sequence, an exosporium protein, or an exosporium protein fragment that targets the fusion protein to the exosporium of a Bacillus cereus family member are provided. Recombinant Bacillus cereus family members expressing such fusion proteins are also provided. Genetically inactivated Bacillus cereus family members and recombinant Bacillus cereus family members that overexpress exosporium proteins are also provided. Seeds coated with the recombinant Bacillus cereus family members and methods for using the recombinant Bacillus cereus family members (e.g., for stimulating plant growth) are also provided. Various modifications of the recombinant Bacillus cereus family members that express the fusion proteins are further provided. Fusion proteins comprising a spore coat protein and a protein or peptide of interest, recombinant bacteria that express such fusion proteins, seeds coated with such recombinant bacteria, and methods for using such recombinant bacteria (e.g., for stimulating plant growth) are also provided.

A wastewater to chemical fuel conversion device is provided that includes a housing having a first chamber and a second chamber, where the first chamber includes a bio-photoanode, where the second chamber includes a photocathode, where a backside of the bio-photoanode abuts a first side of a planatized fluorine doped tin oxide (FTO) glass, where a backside of the photocathode abuts a second side of the FTO glass, where a proton exchange membrane separates the first chamber from the second chamber, where the first chamber includes a wastewater input and a reclaimed water output, where the second chamber includes a solar light input and a H.sub.2 gas output, where the solar light input is disposed for solar light illumination of the first chamber and the second chamber.

Filter and method for filtering solve problem of filtering of microfibers. The filter is specifically designed for efficient removal of microfibers from fluids including wastewater such as is emitted by washing machines and clothes dryers in their normal mode of operation. The filter and filtering method hereby disclosed is characterized by the possibility to insert the filtering device directly into existing washing machines without the need for modifications. The filer has a form that allows its direct insertion into an existing void in the washing machine that is connected or an integral part of the drain pump.

Water treatment apparatus, including: a ceramic filter; and a flow apparatus operable to pass water through the ceramic filter in a forward direction so as to filter the water, the flow apparatus also operable to pass water through the ceramic filter in a reverse direction so as to remove material from the ceramic filter, whereby material having been deposited by filtration of the water is removed.

A mobile water treatment system and method, of which the system includes a bioreactor including an aerator tank configured to receive an influent fluid, a conical clarifier positioned in the aerator tank, the conical clarifier defining a downwardly-facing opening. An interior of the conical clarifier is in communication with the aerator tank, external to the conical clarifier, via the downwardly-facing opening. The bioreactor also includes a plurality of aeration vents positioned proximal to a bottom of the tank and configured to direct air into the aerator tank, but not toward a bottom of the conical clarifier, and an effluent outlet positioned in the conical clarifier. A relatively clean effluent fluid, in comparison to the influent fluid in the aerator tank, exits from the conical clarifier via the effluent outlet.

A wastewater treatment system, including: an equalization tank arranged to receive wastewater; a flow tube including an interior space bounded by at least one side wall of the flow tube; a plurality of media particles disposed within the interior space; and a pump arranged to pump the wastewater from the equalization tank to the flow tube. The plurality of media particles has a mean diameter of at least 4 millimeters. The wastewater is arranged to drain to the equalization tank through the plurality of media particles and the interior space. The flow tube is arranged to reduce a concentration of an organic contaminant in the wastewater.

The present invention describes a water recirculation system 1 intended for recycling of water or discarding of water not suitable to recycle, said water recirculation system 1 comprising a heating unit 2 with one cold-side space 3 intended for a water flow in the water recirculation system 1 to be heated and one hot-side space 4 arranged to provide a heating fluid which indirectly heats said water flow in the cold-side space 3, said hot-side space 4 being connected to any of the following: a reservoir comprising hot glycol or a hot water/glycol mixture; and/or one side of a heat-exchanger arrangement with water on one side and glycol or a water/glycol mixture on the other side.

An integrated component for supplying and treating water for a dishwashing machine having a washing tank includes a monolithic body of plastics material, within which an inlet conduit for water, a chamber containing substances with water-softening properties, into which the inlet conduit leads, a salt-containing reservoir arranged in the lowermost portion of the body and having a filler tube for loading the salt and to be connected to the washing tank, a compartment for blowing out vapours having an inlet opening to be connected to the washing tank and an outlet opening, an outlet conduit of water, a conduit for supplying water to the reservoir to produce the brine, and a conduit connecting the reservoir to the chamber are defined. The monolithic body has at least one protrusion, to which a sealing gasket is associated, for the direct connection within an opening of corresponding shape of the washing tank.

The present inventive concept relates to a device (500) utilizing water for a group of cleaning procedures, wherein each cleaning procedure (100) in the group of cleaning procedures comprises a plurality of cleaning phases (102, 104, 106, 108) each using cleaning phase water having a substance content with respect to a number of substances, wherein the device (500) comprises a sensor arrangement (554) configured to determine a first substance content (110) with respect to at least one of the number of substances in first cleaning phase water from a first cleaning phase (102) being part of the plurality of cleaning phases (102, 104, 106, 108); wherein the device (500) is configured to end the first cleaning phase (102) if a pre-determined condition related to the first substance content (110) and associated with the first cleaning phase (102) has been met.

A control valve (10) includes a valve body with a plurality of ports (A, B, C, D, E, F) and a plurality of annular flow passages (53, 55,57). A piston (34) which includes a plurality of annular flow passages and a longitudinal flow passage is selectively movable within a bore (32) within the valve body through operation of a valve controller (70). The valve controller is selectively operative to control the position of the piston so as to enable liquid flow through a plurality of flow paths. The valve controller further includes a installable and removable valve controller housing (74) which is releasibly engageable with a valve base (72). The valve may include a changeable piston and changeable injector and plug components to adapt the valve to different flow and fluid mixing requirements.