APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR SEPARATION OF WET AND DRY PARTICLES

摘要

Apparatus and method for the separation of particles in either a liquid or gas stream is provided. The fluid stream is directed in a swirl-flow pattern to develop thereby centrifugal forces on the stream. Optionally, magnetic and/or electrical fields may be applied to the system to enhance separation of the particles. Air sparging may also be employed to further enhance the separation of hydrophilic particles from hydrophobic particles in a liquid system. Optionally, the swirl-flow pattern may exit the downstream end of the separator where a stream splitter is employed to split the swirl-flow pattern stream which splays outwardly at the outlet in two or more streams which carry desired particles to be recovered.