A system and method for collecting heat generated by the microbial action in a septic system effluent disposal area that is then transferred to a building structure where it may provide, for example, the temperature differential for a heat exchanger in a heat pump, thereby being the energy source for heating and cooling buildings.

The present disclosure provides a system for recovering and reusing graywater generated from at least one graywater source in a building. The system includes a controller configured to control recovery and reuse of the graywater; a graywater recovery device communicably coupled to the controller and configured to recover the graywater from the graywater source of the building; and a graywater distributor communicably coupled to the controller, connected to the graywater recovery device, and configured to distribute the recovered graywater to at least one target position in the building for reuse, wherein the controller controls the graywater recovery device to deliver the graywater to the graywater distributor according to a control signal sent by a user, and the controller controls the graywater distributor to deliver the graywater to a target position designated by the user for reuse according to a control signal sent by the user.

A modular wall frame for a recycled water system, the modular wall frame includes a horizontal frame module, a vertical frame module, a greywater tank coupled to the horizontal frame or the vertical frame, at least one water consuming appliance drain coupled to the horizontal frame module, and at least one water consuming appliance water input coupled to the vertical frame module.

An exemplary valve control system includes a master controller that wirelessly communicates with a plurality of slave controllers. The slave controllers are each associated with respective devices and sensors. In exemplary arrangements a valve slave controller is associated with a motor that controls a condition of a valve. An exemplary control valve includes a valve body with a plurality of ports (A, B, C, D, E, F) and a plurality of annular flow passages. A piston is selectively movable within a bore within the valve body through operation of the motor and valve slave controller. The valve slave controller is selectively operative to control the position of the piston so as to selectively enable liquid flow through the valve.

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. A master controller wirelessly communicates with a plurality of slave controllers, including the valve controller. The master controller is operative to control conditions of the valve and an associated liquid treatment tank.

A washing system includes a housing, a drain line, and a recirculation line. The housing receives, via a fluid inlet, fresh water during one or more wash cycles of a wash session. The drain line is coupled to the housing and includes a valve and is also configured to receive soiled water from the housing during the wash session. The recirculation line is coupled to and extends from the valve of the drain line and is configured to receive a portion of the soiled water via the valve. The recirculation line includes an integrated fluid sanitizer module configured to at least partially sanitize the portion of the soiled water, and the recirculation line is configured to deliver sanitized water from the integrated fluid sanitizer module to the fluid inlet of the housing.

The present disclosure relates to a dishmachine that includes one or more features directed to water, energy or material savings. The disclosed dishmachines are still capable of meeting the soil demands of the articles to be cleaned.

Methods and systems for conducting batch multi-effect distillation are disclosed. A multi-effect distillation system and one or more isolation devices are provided. A feed stream, consisting of water and a solute, is passed from a feed source into a brine side of the plurality of heat exchangers. The feed source is isolated from the plurality of heat exchangers by closing the one or more isolation devices. A first of the plurality of heat exchangers is heated by the heat source. A steam stream and a brine concentrate stream are produced in all but a last of the plurality of heat exchangers. A condensate stream from the steam stream is produced in all but the first of the plurality of heat exchangers. A warmed feed stream is produced in the last of the plurality of heat exchangers.

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 multi-piece piston and changeable injector and plug components to adapt the valve to different flow and fluid mixing requirements.

The invention relates to a program-controlled apparatus (1) for washing items that is equipped with a water purification system (8) for purifying the wash liquor by removing detergent and suspended soil, which purification system (8) utilizes addition of flocculant, wherein the amount of flocculant that is added is controlled to minimize the total amount of flocculant used without compromising the efficacy of the purification treatment.