Kinetico Incorporated

Jimmy D Buth

Keith E Brown

Kenneth C Seufer, Jr

Dale J Spangenberg, Jr

Norman R Avery

Kenneth C Seuffer, Jr

A method and apparatus for controlling a fluid treatment apparatus that includes a resin tank containing an ion exchange media. A control valve controls the regeneration cycle and includes a regeneration control turbine operatively connected to a regeneration control disk forming part of a servo system. During regeneration, a meter flow of fluid emitted by a regeneration control nozzle produces rotation in the turbine to effect a regeneration sequence. Regeneration is initiated by a regeneration initiating nozzle which emits a stream of fluid at the turbine for a predetermined time interval in order to initiate a regeneration cycle. A control system includes a sensor for monitoring the fluid quality level of the source fluid or the treated fluid and initiates regeneration. When the control system is used with the disclosed control valve, the control system communicates presssurized fluid to the regeneration initiating nozzle upon sensing a predetermined quality level. The control system preferably includes a programmable controller interconnected with a flow sensor and conductivity sensor and periodically samples the conductivity of the influent. Based on the conductivity and volume date provided by the sensors, the programmable controller maintains a running total of 'total grains' processed by the ion exchange material. When the total grains processed equals or exceeds a preset value which is related to the capacity of the resin bed, the control system initiates regeneration.

Fluid treatment system

A water softening apparatus and method for reducing odor in, and improving the taste of, problem water, including a pair of treatment tanks and a control valve assembly for determining which tank is on-line, and which tank is off-line, and for controlling the regeneration of the off-line tank. An exhausted tank is taken off-line and partially regenerated by communicating a regeneration solution from a reservoir to the tank and passing the solution through a resin compartment after which the solution is discharged to drain. After a predetermined quantity of regeneration solution is passed through the tank, the resin compartment is slowly rinsed using treated water from the on-line tank. Prior to fully rinsing the off-line tank, the fluid flow is terminated leaving a diluted regeneration solution in the off-line tank thereby keeping the off-line tank in a 'high solids' condition. Just prior to placing the off-line tank, on-line, treated water from the on-line tank is communicated to the off-line tank and passed through the resin compartment at a flow rate higher than the fluid flow rate during the rinsing step such that the off-line tank is fully backwashed prior to being placed on-line. To further inhibit the propagation of taste and odor degrading bacteria, a growth retarding agent is automatically added to the regeneration solution reservoir prior to initiating a regeneration cycle by a pumping arrangement that operates automatically in response to sensing the flow of regeneration solution to the control valve assembly.

Water softening apparatus

A deionization method and apparatus comprising separate cation and anion removing sections 10a, 10b, the cation section having separate tanks 14, 16 and the anion section having separate tanks 24, 26. Respective cation and anion control valve assemblies 18, 28 control the fluid communication between various components of respective sections and control the regeneration cycle of exhausted cation and anion tanks, respectively. Each valve assembly includes independent water usage monitoring devices 118 which, upon sensing a predetermined quantity of water discharge by its respective valve assembly, effects regeneration of an associated tank. An exhausted cation tank is regenerated by feeding cation regeneration fluid by way of the cation control valve assembly into the exhausted cation tank in a counterflow direction for a predetermined time. Decationized water from the on-line cation tank is then passed through the exhausted cation tank in a counterflow direction to effect a counterflow rinse. An exhausted anion tank is similarly regenerated using an anion regeneration fluid and passing it through the exhausted tank in a counterflow direction, followed by a counterflow rinse using deionized water from the on-line anion tank. The anion section also includes a flushing circuit 46 that flushes residual anion regeneration fluid from a supply line 40a and the anion control valve assembly and also effects a counterflow slow rinse prior to a counterflow fast rinse. Water for the flushing step is obtained from a valve operating chamber 102a by way of a restricted passage 218 so that a back pressure in the piston chamber is maintained in order to exert a valve operating force on a valve 78 when necessary.

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Chardon, OH, United States of America

Jimmy D Buth