APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CLASSIFYING FINE PARTICLES INTO SUBAND SUPRA MICRON RANGES WITH HIGH EFFICIENCY AND THROUGHPUT

摘要

A settling chamber for separating nanoparticles from microparticles. The settling chamber has an aspect ratio of sufficient value to allow the formation of two circulation zones of particles, one above the other. The settling chamber comprises a top section and a bottom section. An outlet por t is located in the top section and an inlet port is located in a side of the bottom section. A gas fluidized particle stream is introduced through the inlet port into the settling chamber at a given velocity. A gas stream flow pattern is established within the settling chamber that retards transportati on of microparticles to the outlet port while facilitating transportation of nanoparticles to the outlet port. Nanoparticles are then collected from the outlet port.