A system is provided for treating and distributing water. The system includes a first container and an input conduit that supplies water (e.g., purified, unpurified, etc.) to the first container. The system also has a treatment delivery system that delivers a mineral composition into the first container. Further, the system uses a controller to selectively deliver the mineral composition in to the first container so that the mineral composition mixes with, and dissolves in the water delivered to the first container. This produces treated water having a programmed profile, which can be distributed to a destination (e.g., a coffee shop) via an output conduit.

In a water treatment system, a pretreatment chemical is added to water stream in a pretreatment process including a coagulation, flocculation and separation to reduce amount of dissolved and/or particulate matter in the water stream. Hydrophobic conditions in the water stream are monitored upstream or downstream from adding the pretreatment chemicals. Dosing of the pretreatment chemical to the water stream is controlled based on the monitored hydrophobic conditions. Thereby a membrane fouling in subsequent membrane filtration stage can be minimized.

A water filtration system is provided and includes a raw-water inlet, a pure-water outlet, a purified-water outlet, a waste-water outlet and an integrated filter cartridge. The integrated filter cartridge has a first port, a second port, a third port, a fourth port, a fifth port and a sixth port. The first port is connected to the raw-water inlet, and the second port is connected to the purified-water outlet, a connection conduit is connected to the third port, and a free end of the connection conduit is connected between the second port and the purified-water outlet, the fourth port is connected to the pure-water outlet, the fifth port is connected to the waste-water outlet, at least one of a conduit in connection with the pure-water outlet and the sixth port is provided with a water storage device.

Disclosed is a process for enriching silicate content in drinking water that includes separating raw water via reverse osmosis into a permeate comprising demineralised raw water and a retentate comprising mineral enriched raw water. The permeate is mixed with a water glass solution comprising sodium silicate and/or potassium silicate. An ion exchange process is used to reduce the concentration of sodium and/or potassium ions in at least part of the mixture. At least part of the retentate is supplied to the mixture after reducing the concentration of sodium and/or potassium ions to provide a silicate-enriched drinking water. Also disclosed is an apparatus for producing a drinking water enriched with silicate. The apparatus includes a reverse osmosis unit, a mixing unit, an ion exchanger, and a feed unit for feeding at least part of the retentate to the mixture after reducing the concentration of sodium and/or potassium ions.

Apparatus and methods are provided for extracting compounds from raw materials. One such apparatus may include an extraction column where it is a one column, one pass design capable of withstanding high temperatures and pressure. Additionally, the extraction column may also be capable of containing a self-perpetuating energy cycle used to achieve the required solubilization and mass transfer temperatures necessary for optimal extraction. The apparatus may also include a first opening and a second opening to control the flow of incoming solvent and filter extraneous sediment trapped within the fully extracted effluent. Additionally, the apparatus may be configured to create a self-perpetuating and self-sustaining energy cycle by manipulating the pressure and temperature generated within the apparatus. While the generated temperatures may help achieve a dynamic and efficient extraction process, a trailing cool layer of solvent is also present to effectively preserve the heat sensitive compounds extracted from the raw materials.

Modular pure water systems are provided that have a tank and a cover assembly, wherein the tank and cover assembly are configured to removably receive therebetween one or more expansion tubes in a fluid tight manner to allow for selective volume expansion of the pure water system. Also provided are purification media bags for pure water systems that have a shape, construction, and/or material that mitigates the flow of water between the outer wall of the bag and an inner wall of the pure water systems.

A nanofiltration membrane comprising a selective layer comprising or consisting of poly(amide-imide) cross-linked with polyallylamine is provided. A method of manufacturing a nanofiltration membrane and use of a nanofiltration membrane in a water softening process that is carried out at a low pressure of less than about 2 bar are also provided.

A method and apparatus for extracting compounds from raw materials with an extraction column is provided. The control and manipulation of pressure exerted and contained within the extraction vessel or column may be vital in obtaining a certain flavor profile or intensity of the effluent extracted from the raw materials. As such, the method may include directing a flow of pressurized solvent into a base of the extraction column and utilizing the flow of pressurized solvent to create a pressure gradient applied to the raw materials. The method may further include compressing the raw materials with hydraulic compression. As the raw materials become further compressed, frictional heating may result allowing most, if not all, of the volatile aromatic heat sensitive compounds and constituencies to be extracted depending on the pressure strength applied to the raw materials. As such, manipulating the pressure gradients for each extraction process allows for distinct and specific flavor profiles to be extracted from the raw materials.

Compositions, tablets, prills and granules are provided including (a) about 95 to about 99.999 weight percent of at least one alkali metal hydrogen sulfate; and (b) about 0.001 to less than 0.08 weight percent of at least one alkali metal salt of a fatty carboxylic acid and/or at least one alkaline earth metal salt of a fatty carboxylic acid; wherein the composition includes less than 1 weight percent of chlorite and/or hypochlorite and less than 1 weight percent of alkali metal salt and/or alkaline earth metal salt that is chemically different from the at least one alkali metal hydrogen sulfate, the at least one alkali metal salt of a fatty carboxylic acid and the at least one alkaline earth metal salt of a fatty carboxylic acid, on a basis of total weight of the composition. Methods of use also are provided.

The disclosure relates to a system for separating waste. The waste separating system includes a compacting assembly, a liquid diverting assembly, and a controller configured to control aspects of the compacting assembly and the liquid diverting assembly. The waste separating system can divert waste liquid from a manufacturing assembly to a liquid diverting assembly, where a controller is configured to selectively control a flow of the waste liquid to a drain or to a storage tank.