Acoustophoretic device with uniform fluid flow

US9827511B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• FloDesign Sonics, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Bart Lipkens · Hampden, US
• Brian McCarthy · East Longmeadow, US
• Jason Barnes · Westfield, US
• Dane Mealey · Avon, US
• Ben Ross-Johnsrud · Wilbraham, US
• Walter M. Presz, Jr. · Wilbraham, US
• Kedar Chitale · Vernon, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jul 2, 2015
• Grant date: Nov 28, 2017
• Expiry date: Jul 31, 2035

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B01D21/0045
• WIPO field: Chemical engineering
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

An acoustophoresis device which includes a substantially vertical flow path of the fluid mixture in order to improve separation of particles/secondary fluid from a primary fluid is disclosed. The vertical flow path reduces velocity non-uniformities in the acoustic chamber resulting from gravity forces. The device includes an acoustic chamber in which multidimensional acoustic standing waves are generated. The fluid can be introduced into the acoustic chamber using a dump diffuser in which a plurality of inlets enter near the bottom of the acoustic chamber such that flow symmetry reduces both, gravity driven flow non-uniformities, and any flow interference effects between inlet mixture flow into the acoustic chamber and the continuous gravity driven particle cluster drop out.