Methods and apparatus for particle aggregation using acoustic standing waves

摘要

Devices for separating materials from a host fluid are disclosed. The devices include an acoustic chamber having an inlet and an outlet. An ultrasonic transducer and reflector create a multi-dimensional acoustic standing wave in the acoustic chamber that traps the materials and permits a continuous separation of the materials from the host fluid. The materials and the host fluid can thus be separately collected. Multiple sets of trapping lines are generated by the acoustic standing wave, and the transducer is oriented to minimize cross-sectional area for straight vertical channels between the trapping lines.

主权项

1. A method of separating a host fluid from a second fluid or particulate, the method comprising:
flowing a mixture of the host fluid and the second fluid or particulate through an acoustophoresis device, the device comprising:
a housing having a sidewall that defines an acoustic chamber;at least one outlet from the acoustic chamber;at least one inlet to the acoustic chamber; andat least one ultrasonic transducer located on the sidewall of the acoustic chamber and at least one reflector located on the sidewall of the housing opposite the at least one ultrasonic transducer, the transducer including a piezoelectric material driven by a voltage signal to create a multi-dimensional acoustic standing wave in the acoustic chamber; and trapping smaller particles of the second fluid or particulate in the acoustic standing wave to generate particle clusters that subsequently fall into or rise into the least one outlet; wherein the acoustic standing wave has a lateral radiation force and a axial radiation force that are of the same order of magnitude.