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.

This specification describes systems for the treatment and reuse of grey water and related processes. An exemplary system collects grey water from baths and showers and treats it for use in toilet flushing. Influent bathing water passes through a prefilter to remove larger particles and flows into a grey water collection tank. Collected grey water is filtered through a membrane designed to remove suspended solids. Membrane permeate passes through a sorbent media to remove soluble organics and then flows into a permeate tank. A chemical agent is used to disinfect water in one or more parts of the system and optionally to clean the membranes. A control system manages the operation of system. The system operates in a generally daily cycle with permeation dispersed over a material time, for example 4 or 8 hours or more.

A centrifugal filter unit for an apparatus for use in the treatment of a substrate with a treatment formulation is provided. The centrifugal filter unit includes a) a housing having an outlet; b) an inlet; c) a filter rotatably mounted in the housing and having a side wall with perforations that allow liquid to pass through but prevent solid material from passing through; d) an aperture; and e) a drive for rotating the filter. A portion of the centrifugal filter unit in the filter chamber is removable and, when removed from the centrifugal filter unit following operation, takes with it at least a portion of the solid material prevented from passing through the perforations. The centrifugal filter unit is arranged such that the feed is drawn into the filter from the inlet through the aperture and the liquid is expelled through the perforations to the outlet and the solid material is retained in the filter. The removable portion is shaped to scrape against the side wall during removal.

The present invention describes a system (1) enabling treating water from a water tank (3), which water tank (3) is arranged in a water distribution architecture also comprising one or more user units (8), said system (1) also enabling recycling of water or discarding of water not suitable to recycle, said system (1) comprising a water distribution unit (2), at least one water treating unit (6) and a sensor unit (7) arranged for measurement of at least water quality, said water distribution unit (2) comprising one common user unit inlet 9 connectable via piping to said one or more user units (8) on their used water output side; said water distribution unit (2) further comprising a contaminated water outlet (10); and said water distribution unit (2) further comprising at least one water recirculation port (1000) connectable via piping to the water tank (3) to enable flowing water between the water distribution unit (2) and the water tank (3); and wherein said at least one water treating unit (6) enables to treat water to increase the water quality thereof and where the sensor unit (7) is connected to a control unit, which, based on the measurement of the water quality, is arranged to decide if water should be recycled to the water tank (3) from the water distribution unit (2) or should be discarded via the contaminated water outlet (10) from the water distribution unit (2).

A polar liquid mixture containing suspended or dissolved particles or solute is exposed to air or a hydrophilic surface. An exclusion zone having a reduced concentration of particles or solute is formed in the polar liquid adjacent to the interface with air or the hydrophilic surface. One or more fractions of purified polar liquid and/or concentrated particles or solute are collected. A sensor can provide feedback to the collector.

A waste treatment system may include a liquid separator for removing water from solid waste, a mixing tank connected to the liquid separator for mixing the solid waste with an oxidizing agent, a heat exchanger connected to the mixing tank for collecting heat generated by an exothermic reaction caused by mixing the oxidizing agent with the solid waste, and a sanitizer connected to the liquid separator to sanitize the water removed from the solid waste. A waste treatment method may involve separating water from solid waste in a liquid separator, mixing the solid waste from the liquid separator with an oxidizing agent in a mixing tank connected to the liquid separator to cause an exothermic reaction, collecting heat from the exothermic reaction in a heat exchanger coupled with the mixing tank, and sanitizing the water from the liquid separator in a sanitizer.

A waste fluid containment and draining system may have a black waste water holding structure for holding black waste water and a grey waste water holding structure for holding grey waste water. First and second valves may be included for enabling selective emptying of the two holding structures. A macerator pump may be used which has an input in flow communication with both of the first and second valves. A discharge conduit may be in flow communication with an output of the macerator pump. A control subsystem may be in communication with the first and second valves and the macerator pump for controlling the first and second valves, together with the macerator pump, to enable selective pumping out of the holding structures by the macerator pump through the discharge conduit.

A system that recycles waste so that the effluent coming out of the system actually equals a potable water standard with essentially no contaminated sludge. The solids in wastewater are subjected to aeration and enzymes in a digester for a period of time. The cleanest portion of the water from the digester is then clarified. Sludge, as well as scum, from the clarifier is vacuumed back to the digester. Clear water from the clarifier is delivered to a Recycling stage for filtering to remove suspended solids. When the recycling process housing reaches saturation, a back-flushing process with clean water sends all of the captured suspended solids back into the Digester.

A water conservation and recycling system where an integrated automated system comprising a sensor housing with at least one sensor, a diverting valve and controller, the system used to separate water based on quality parameters (for example, temperature, acidity (pH), dissolved oxygen, electrical conductance and/or turbidity). In one example, physical bio-filtration is used to remove debris particles from clean water and ultraviolet light and ionization is used for bacterial eradication of clean water. Separated clean water is stored and recycled for agriculture and toilet purposes resulting in up to 40% reduction in residential and commercial water consumption. Municipal water supply line pressure is used to pressurize storage tanks to provide intermittent irrigation water supply.

The present invention relates to a device and a process for purification of grey water and recovery of surfactants and purified water. In particular the invention relates to in-home purification of grey water generated from laundry wash and/or rinse liquor and recovery of surfactants and purified water for water saving by re-use.