Abstract: Acoustophoretic devices are disclosed. The devices include a flow chamber, an ultrasonic transducer, a reflector, an inlet, a filtrate outlet, a concentrate outlet, and optionally a lipid collection trap. The ultrasonic transducer and reflector create a multi-dimensional acoustic standing wave in the flow chamber that traps and separates red blood cells and/or lipids from blood. Concentrated red blood cells can be recovered via the concentrate outlet, the lipids can be recovered via the lipid collection trap, and the remaining blood can be recovered via the filtrate outlet. Methods for separating blood components (e.g., red blood cells, lipids, platelets, white blood cells) from blood are also disclosed. The red blood cells can undergo washing with a solvent to remove undesired admixtures. Cryoprotectants can be added or removed from the blood.

Abstract: A method of separating magnetic nanoparticles is described. The method comprises placing the magnetic nanoparticles in a periodic magnetic field. The periodic magnetic field varies between a first magnetic field strength and a second magnetic field strength that is higher than the first magnetic field strength. The nanoparticles may be superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method comprising discharging a slurry from a vessel to a conduit; where the slurry comprises a liquid and a composition comprising at least two materials having different densities-a first material having a higher density and a second material having a lower density than that of the first material; creating a surge in velocity in slurry flow as it is transported through the conduit; separating the first material from the second material; where the first material is disposed on an inner surface of the conduit and where the second material flows through the conduit to a container; and removing the first material from the inner surface of the conduit.

Abstract: A flow cell including inlet and outlet ports in fluid communication with each other through a flow channel that extends therebetween. The flow channel includes a diffuser region and a field region that is located downstream from the diffuser region. The field region of the flow channel directs fluid along reaction sites where desired reactions occur. The fluid flows through the diffuser region in a first flow direction and through the field region in a second flow direction. The first and second flow directions being substantially perpendicular.

Abstract: An apparatus including an acoustic transducer configured to acoustically associate with at least a portion of a fluid cavity. The fluid cavity is configured as a resonator. The acoustic transducer is configured to create an acoustic wave in the at least a portion of the fluid cavity. The acoustic wave is selected to increase the concentration of at least one particulate in a location in the fluid cavity.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a simplified valuable mineral sorting apparatus including, a first storage tank which accommodates a mixture of water and heavy powder and includes a specific gravity measurement module; a second storage tank accommodating a portion of the mixture exceeding a capacity level line of the first storage tank; a first discharge tube which is connected to the first storage tank and the second storage tank to introduce the excess portion of the mixture into the second storage tank, and which is positioned at the capacity level line of the first storage tank; a second discharge tube which is connected to the first storage tank to discharge the mixture in the first storage tank and which includes a flow rate control module; a specific gravity sorting device which includes a sorting container for receiving the mixture discharged from the second discharge tube and which changes a slope of the sorting container to sort minerals from the mixture in the sorting container; and a control unit for controll

Abstract: The present invention relates to the recovery of nylon from co-mingled materials (e.g., carpet) with reduced or eliminated ash (e.g., calcium carbonate) contamination.

Abstract: A solvent that reversibly converts from a hydrophobic liquid form to hydrophilic liquid form upon contact with water and a selected trigger, e.g., contact with CO2, is described. The hydrophilic liquid form is readily converted back to the hydrophobic liquid form and water. The hydrophobic liquid is an amidine or amine. The hydrophilic liquid form comprises an amidinium salt or an ammonium salt.

Abstract: A method of operating a flotation cell wherein a feed stream containing particles is provided to the flotation cell wherein a proportion of the particles rise in the cell and exit the cell in a concentrate stream and a proportion of the particles sink in the cell, wherein at least a portion of the particles that sink in the cell are subject to a classification process to produce classified particles and at least a portion of the classified particles are recycled to the flotation cell.

Abstract: A pumpbox, the pumpbox being in fluid communication with one or more vessels, wherein the pumpbox comprises a classification portion and level control means adapted to control the level of fluid within the one or more vessels.

Abstract: The disclosure related to a method and system to separate a subgroup of objects from a mixture of objects present in a suspension wherein said suspension if exposed to acoustic forces acting in one or two dimensions, which forces said objects to separate from each other into groups which have similar properties in connection with size and/or mass density and/or compressibility.

Abstract: An apparatus (25) for use in screening a liquid and solids mixture feed (2) comprises a conduit (18), including a screening portion (22) that is formed and arranged to divide a liquid and solids mixture feed flowing through the conduit. The feed (2) is divided into a first, cleaned stream (C1) comprising liquid and solid particles of below a selected size limit, and a second, concentrated, stream (24) comprising liquid, and particles above the selected size limit. The apparatus (25) may be a stand alone module, part of a system with other solids and liquids separating equipment or an integral part of a solids and liquid separator such as a shale shaker. Methods of using the apparatus (25) are also described.

Abstract: A particle classifier apparatus used to mine for gold and other precious particles. The present invention is meant to replace the sluice box or any inefficient means for gold mining. The present invention is used with and without a stream of flowing water. The present invention comprises a PVC channel, a main trough and a plurality of small troughs. The PVC channel comprises a slit with a narrow end and a wide end. The present invention is designed for the stream of flowing water to flow from the narrow end to the wide end. The water flow pushes the particles through the slit and into the plurality of troughs located beneath the slit. The smallest particles fall into the narrow end whereas the big particles fall into the wide end. The plurality of small troughs are removed from the main trough so the captured particles may be panned for gold.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of separating a particle fraction from a particle stream making use of gravitational force and which is performed in a fluid. This provides particle fractions that are collected in respective collecting means. According to the invention the fluid and the collecting means are moved in relation to each other defining a relative direction of movement. There are means provided to limit the movement of the particles to be separated with respect to the fluid in the relative direction of movement. The invention also relates to an apparatus for carrying out the method.

Abstract: A mineral separating gold cube concentrator presents at least two modular portable stacking trays defining alternating inclined surfaces over which a continuing supply of water flows. A first tray provides an inclined smooth surface with controlled water flow to the incline which imparts fluidity allowing the aggregate to move downward and form a slurry that separates the aggregates into lightest first, heaviest last. A second tray is a collection tray is below the first tray and defines a G force separator, forcing all materials under the gate into vertical column within the turbulent water, the column descending upon the vortex mat upon the second tray, forcing the lighter materials within the aggregate to advance ahead of the heavier material. Any material not captured by the vortex mat travels to the end of the matting and is either expelled or subsequently transferred into another collection tray through another G force separator.

Abstract: Trapping structures are provided for particle separation devices that make use of traveling wave fluid flow. These trapping structures are operative to capture and collect separated particles and present them for extraction. The extraction can be accomplished in conventional manners, such as through the use of suitable sized pipettes.

Abstract: A cement manufacturing apparatus capable of increasing quantity of fly ash used in the apparatus while controlling unburned carbon content in cement within a permissible range. The cement manufacturing apparatus comprises a removal means for removing unburned carbon from gypsum, and a grinding means for grinding gypsum from which unburned carbon is removed by the removal means together with clinker to generate cement. With the apparatus, total unburned carbon content in cement can be reduced, and the quantity of fly ash used in the apparatus can be, increased by the reduced amount of unburned carbon. The removal means can remove unburned carbon contained in gypsum as well as unburned carbon contained in fly ash, and the grinding means may grind the fly ash from which unburned carbon is removed together with the gypsum, from which unburned carbon is removed, and clinker.

Abstract: A method for screening mixed particulate into multiple sized particulate simultaneously in a low dust high safety environment.

Abstract: A solvent that reversibly converts from a hydrophobic liquid form to hydrophilic liquid form upon contact with water and a selected trigger, e.g., contact with CO2, is described. The hydrophilic liquid form is readily converted back to the hydrophobic liquid form and water. The hydrophobic liquid is an amidine or amine. The hydrophilic liquid form comprises an amidinium salt or an ammonium salt.

Abstract: Apparatus for removing heavy material from ore in a water environment includes an upstanding tube, a reservoir, and a pulsator connected between the upstanding tube and the reservoir. The pulsator cyclically causes the upstanding tube to move downward, and fluid pressure within reservoir causes it to move back upward. This vertical pulsation of the upstanding tube effects the separation of heavy material from lighter material contained within the ore. The pulsator includes a member and diaphragm which are cyclically forced downward into the reservoir by a cam-driven rocker arm. A given downward movement of the member and diaphragm results in an amplified upward movement of the ore and the water within the upstanding tube.

Abstract: The invention relates to an equipment and method for flotating mineral slurry (4) in a flotation cell provided with a flotation mechanism (3), comprising at least a drive shaft (6), a rotor (5) and a stator (7), and at least one inlet (11) for feeding mineral slurry (4), a froth launder system (8) for removing mineral enriched froth, at least two discharge outlets (28, 12) for removing two material flows with two different grain sizes from the flotation cell, in which case the flotation cell (2) is provided with a classifying equipment (1) including means for setting the mineral slurry (24) to be classified, separated from the mineral slurry, in an essentially upwardly moving rotary motion in the flotation cell, as well as means for separating coarser material (25) from finely divided material (26).

Abstract: A method of harvesting carbon nanotubes (CNTs) is provided. According to this method, CNT bundles, comprising CNTs associated with metallic catalysts and having amorphous carbon coatings are agitated in an aqueous liquid containing a dispersant with free-flowing grit particles to disassociate the CNTs from the metallic catalysts, remove the amorphous carbon of the amorphous carbon coatings and shorten the CNTs via shearing.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for separating differently additivated polymers based on polystyrene, the copolymers and/or blends thereof. This method is used in particular when recycling flame-retardant plastic materials, in particular from old electrical appliances. The method is characterised by a density separation with at least one liquid or gaseous separation medium.

Abstract: A separation apparatus contains: a dispersion liquid introduction path to which a dispersion liquid containing particles is introduced; a separation path that has a inclined upper face inclined with respect to a direction of gravity and separates the particles; and a discharge path from which particles separated by the separation path are discharged.

Abstract: A method of operating a flotation cell wherein a feed stream containing particles is provided to the flotation cell wherein a proportion of the particles rise in the cell and exit the cell in a concentrate stream and a proportion of the particles sink in the cell, wherein at least a portion of the particles that sink in the cell are subject to a classification process to produce classified particles and at least a portion of the classified particles are recycled to the flotation cell.

Abstract: A method for separation of heterogeneous products included in household waste (HW) comprises separating the products in a fractionation vessel containing a liquid. The waste includes components, of which at least some are capable of floating in the liquid. The components are exposed to a first essentially horizontal force (P1) in a first direction (D1) enforced by a flow of the liquid in the fractionation vessel and to a second essentially horizontal force (P2) in a second direction (D2), which is substantially different from the first direction (D1). The combined impact of the forces (P1; P2) on the components spreads the components and leads them to at least two collection areas. Products of varying buoyancy may thus be treated separately.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fluidic separation device comprising: at least one microchannel (2; 66) extending along a longitudinal axis (X), the microchannel having a cross-section that presents a width measured along a first transverse axis (Y) and a thickness measured along a second transverse axis (Z) perpendicular to the first, the width being greater than the thickness, the microchannel including, along the second transverse axis, bottom and top walls (3 and 4); at least first, second, and third inlets (7, 8, and 9) in fluidic communication with the microchannel (2), the second inlet (8) being disposed on the second transverse axis (Z) between the first and third inlets (7 and 9); and at least first and third transverse separation walls (10 and 11) respectively separating the first and second inlets and the second and third inlets, the first and second separation walls (10; 11) being arranged in such a manner that the second inlet (8) is separated from each of said bottom and top walls (3 and 4

Abstract: An apparatus for acoustic concentration of particles in a fluid flow includes a substantially acoustically transparent membrane and a vibration generator that define a fluid flow path therebetween. The fluid flow path is in fluid communication with a fluid source and a fluid outlet and the vibration generator is disposed adjacent the fluid flow path and is capable of producing an acoustic field in the fluid flow path. The acoustic field produces at least one pressure minima in the fluid flow path at a predetermined location within the fluid flow path and forces predetermined particles in the fluid flow path to the at least one pressure minima.

Abstract: A method of classifying fine particles includes: introducing a fine particle dispersion containing the fine particles to a micro flow channel having an inlet part and a collection part from the inlet part; moving the fine particles to an inner upper side of the micro flow channel by an electric field applied in a gravitational direction; and delivering the fine particle dispersion in a laminar flow state to the collection part. The delivering step includes classifying the fine particles according to differences in settling velocity among the fine particles.

Abstract: A method for the separation of particles of different densities using a step-wise gradient density extraction method as described herein where a sample is suspended in a liquid volume of an extracting medium of specific density and the particles that have a density less than or equal to that of the extracting medium of specific density can be recovered from a horizonatally rotatable hollow disk or a removable receptacle within a horizontally rotatable hollow disk designed for such purposes while the particles that have a density greater than the extracting medium of specific density form a deposit which can be cycled through the extraction process in an iterative fashion by varying the density of the extracting medium allowing the recovery of discrete particles of differing densities from a test sample.

Abstract: The aim of the invention is to provide a sieve jigger comprising a sieved-product rocker that can be pivoted upwards and downwards, whose lifting displacement and/or lifting frequency can be controlled beyond previously accepted limits and which does not require vibration dampers that are subject to wear. To achieve this, the sieved-product rocker is operated by means of a lifting and braking cylinder comprising an integrated measuring device for the displacement of the cylinder piston and a working chamber, to which a hydraulic-oil supply and evacuation conduit is connected, said conduit containing an integrated proportional control valve. The lifting and braking cylinder interacts with the proportional control valve by means of a displacement sensor and a governor in order to control the displacement upwards and downwards and thus the lifting height and/or the lifting frequency of the rocker.

Abstract: An aqueous aerated oil sand slurry is conditioned in a pipeline and then spun within an elongate vessel of circular cross-section, to cause bitumen droplets in the slurry to coalesce. This increases the probability that the droplets will become aerated by contact with air bubbles. The slurry is then subjected to separation of the sand and bitumen.

Abstract: Enhanced methods for separating of overlapping density porous materials are provided. The methods of the invention exploit the differences in the porosity of porous feed materials compared to that of the solid plastics. In the first stage, air is forced out of the pores of a porous feed material. In the second stage, a solution, having the appropriate density, is forced into the pores. This increases the density of the porous material relative to the density of the solid plastics. As a result, the porous material can be made to sink, while the solid plastics continue to float.

Abstract: A material handling system is provided. The material handling system includes a tank defining a reservoir for receiving a solid material, and a wheel including a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart scoops for scooping solid material from the tank and subsequently discharging scooped solid material from the tank during rotation of the wheel.

Abstract: A method for the separation of particles of different densities using a step-wise gradient density extraction method as described herein where a sample is suspended in a liquid volume of an extracting medium of specific density and the particles that have a density less than or equal to that of the extracting medium of specific density can be recovered from a horizonatally rotatable hollow disk or a removable receptacle within a horizontally rotatable hollow disk designed for such purposes while the particles that have a density greater than the extracting medium of specific density form a deposit which can be cycled through the extraction process in an iterative fashion by varying the density of the extracting medium allowing the recovery of discrete particles of differing densities from a test sample.

Abstract: A method for separating metallic carbon nanotubes and semi-conducting carbon nanotubes includes providing a suspension containing a plurality of individual metallic carbon nanotubes and semi-conducting carbon nanotubes in a liquid, for which the dielectric constant ?L meets the requirement: ?M>?L>?H, wherein ?M is the dieletric constant of the metallic carbon nanotubes and ?H is the dielectric constant of the semi-conducting carbon nanotubes. A a non-homogeneous electric alternating field is applied to the suspension to create spatially separate species of the metallic carbon nanotubes and the semi-conducting carbon nanotubes. At least one of the separate species is then removed.

Abstract: A material classifier for classifying a liquid-solid mixture containing solid material to be separated. The material classifier includes a tank and an angularly mounted scoop wheel for scooping solid material which has settled on the bottom of the tank.

Abstract: A method has been developed for the post-synthesis separation of nanotubes by size and/or type. Solubilized, functionalized nanotubes are passed over a GPC column such that length-separated fractions are collected. These length-separated fractions can then further be separated by diameter or type. Particularly useful are methods for separating nanotubes into metallic and semiconducting fractions.

Abstract: A combination of prospecting equipment and apparatus, for the purpose of collecting precious minerals from mineral bearing sand and gravel, located in regions that are arid in nature, have little water or limited water usage, due to environmental concerns. The Wash Plant Unit comprising; A feed hopper for receiving and washing materials. A sluice box and apparatus for collecting precious minerals. A sluice box extension with a filter screen for separating gravel from sand and water. A filtration box with a sediment pan and screening devices for separating sand from water. A receptacle and implement holder for holding miscellaneous prospecting supplies. A water pump with a suction and discharge for drawing and dispensing water. All built upon and attached to its own water reservoir, which is attached to a frame with a hitch, built upon a set of axles with tires, suitable for being transported by an All Terrain Vehicle.

Abstract: Method for the removal and recovery of the oily component from cuttings coming from the drilling of oil wells by treatment of the cuttings with a solvent, which can be compressed to the liquid state, at a pressure value ranging from 45 to 80 bar and a temperature corresponding to the saturation value.

Abstract: An improved nozzle system for a flow cytometer and accompanying methods have been invented for a high efficiency orientation and sorting process of a flat sample and dedicates items such as equine or bovine sperm cells. This improved nozzle system comprises a nozzle with a novel interior surface geometry that can both gently accelerate the cells and can include an elliptical-like, single torsional interior surface element within the nozzle, i.e., a single torsional orientation nozzle. The elliptical-like, single torsional interior surface element may have a laminar flow surface and may produce the simplest flow path for applying minimal forces which act in either an accelerative nature or orienting hydrodynamic forces, namely, the single torsional orientation forces, to orient a flat sample such as animal sperm cells into a proper direction for an analyzing and efficiently sorting process in clinical use, for research and for the animal insemination industry.

Abstract: A method and system for separating and sorting recyclable materials from mixed waste streams provides improved separation and reduced cost in trash and recyclable material processing systems. A low surface-current bath is used within the sorting system to separate materials having a low wet-density, such as plastics and coated paper, from materials having a high wet-density, such as uncoated paper. A novel newspaper separation device using an appropriately-sized gap in a conveying system provides separation of newspaper from other large pieces of recyclable material or trash, while leaving heavier materials on the conveying system for further sorting. An improved plastics separator is included for separating plastics by melting-point range.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for removing lightweight particulates during processing of a primary material. The apparatus includes a classification tank having an inlet, an outlet and a plurality of settling stations located therebetween. A slurry of fluid and particles is introduced into the inlet and directed towards the outlet. As the slurry traverses along the classification tank, particles come out of suspension at the settling stations according to weight and to a lesser degree, density. The composition as well as the quantity of particles at the settling stations is periodically inspected. If particles deposited at a particular settling station are more or less the same size, and if they have accumulated in sufficient quantity, they are discharged to a flume which directs them to preselected collection areas.

Abstract: An improved flow field-flow fractionation (flow FFF) process has been developed which permits the high-resolution separation of analytes without stopping or reversing the axial flow, introducing additional axial flow streams, or further splitting the axial flow stream. The improved procedure speeds up, streamlines, and simplifies the apparatus and the procedure without unduly concentrating the sample, permits the use of flow-sensitive detection technologies in a manner which has previously been difficult or impossible, and avoids the artifactual aggregation which is known to result from other relaxation procedures. The process also permits the calculation of the channel width w without reference to system or void peaks in the fractogram. These capabilities render the improved flow FFF procedure more accurate as well as more practical, and permit automated flow FFF separations to be routinely performed on commercially-available HPLC systems with only minor modifications.

Abstract: An apparatus which manipulates particles suspended in a fluid includes a duct for the flow of the fluid in which the particles are suspended, and a mechanism for establishing an acoustic standing wave field across the width of the duct, the duct being formed with an expansion in width downstream of the standing wave field. In use, the particles in the fluid are displaced into a series of parallel bands by the acoustic standing wave field. The particles remain in these bands as the fluid flows downstream from the section in which the standing wave field is present. When the fluid reaches the expansion of the duct, the stream of fluid expands accordingly in width and, in so doing, the bands of particles are spread further apart, so increasing the spacing between adjacent bands. The bands can then be observed or separated from the duct.

Abstract: The present invention, therefore, provides stage crushing method for recovering precious metals from slag produced by a coal burning furnace or boiler comprising: a plurality of crushing steps, wherein each crushing step produces slag particles having successively smaller particle diameter sizes, said crushing steps continued until a final desired particle diameter sized is obtained; wherein each of said crushing steps is followed by suspending said crushed slag particles in a liquid medium to form a slurry of light-weight particles and heavy weight-particles and allowing the crushed slag particles within the slurry to separate, based on weight of the particles, thereby forming a light-weight particle population and a heavy-weight particle population; wherein each suspending step is followed by removing said light-weight particles from said slurry, such that said slurry consists of substantially heavy-weight particles; and collecting said heavy-weight particles.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for extracting resin from plant material. Conventionally, plant resins, which are useful in many products, are extracted using chemical solvents, which may alter the extract, and may produce a by-product or residue that may be unusable or problematic. The present invention overcomes these drawbacks by using cold water in a wash process to cause the resins to become brittle, while the remaining plant material becomes more flexible. Separation is accomplished using an extractor (10) having a washing chamber (12) with an open top (14) and a screen filter (16) disposed above a settling chamber (18). A collection bottle (24) is placed below a valve (22), and may include a filter (26) to separate resin particles from the solute. The washing chamber is first filled with cold water and then a quantity of plant material (P) is placed therein, followed by an ice layer (30). An agitator (32) is then actuated to mix the contents to separate the resins.

Abstract: A method for recovering coal from a mixture containing fine particles of coal, the mixture including fine coal particles, water, and impurities, the method including feeding the mixture to a first liquid/solid separator that removes relatively large pieces of material from the mixture producing a first stream containing recoverable fine coal particles, and pumping the first stream from the first liquid/solid separator to at least one second liquid/solid separator, the at least one second liquid/solid separator separating recoverable fine coal particles from the first stream producing a product flow containing fine coal particles and a discharge stream containing, e.g., water and impurities. In one aspect, the coal in the product flow is then dried and/or pelletized. In one aspect fine coal particles in the product flow have a largest dimension of less than 100 microns. In one aspect, fine coal particles in the product flow have a largest dimension of at least about 40 microns.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating out light materials from mineral raw materials is provided. The apparatus includes a charging device that has a charging tube provided with an eccentrically arranged inlet for tangential introduction of raw material. The apparatus also has an inner chamber for separating out coarse sand received from the charging tube, and an outer chamber that serves for sorting out fine sand pursuant to the fluidized bed process. The outer chamber communicates with an overflow chute of the charging tube via an inclined overflow surface. An impingement body is centrally disposed in the inner chamber while leaving free an outer annular gap. The charging tube opens out centrally above the impingement body. A perforated basket, for adjusting flow resistance, is disposed so as to be displaceable in the axis of the charging tube and bridges a space between the impingement body and the end of the charging tube.

Abstract: Cryogenic sedimentation is effective to bring about the rapid separation of sub-micron particles from powder mixtures containing such particles without leading to significant agglomeration.