Particle separation/purification system, diffuser and related methods

A system for electrostatically separating a first species of selectively charged particles from a particle mixture, comprising:

• a feeder for supplying the particle mixture;
• a pressurized driving fluid source for supplying a driving fluid for carrying the particle mixture supplied by the feeder;
• a separator comprising a tubular, elongated body for receiving the driving fluid carrying the particle mixture, a first electric field in at least a portion of the body for deflecting selectively charged particles, and at least one partition defining first and second channels for receiving first and second portions of the driving fluid after entering the first electric field, wherein a direction of an electrical field force acting on the selectively charged particles passing through the first electric field is not perpendicular to a direction of gravity;
• a first collection device for receiving particles collected in the first channel;
• a second collection device for receiving particles collected in the second channel;
• and
• an induction source in fluid communication with the first and second collection devices for drawing the driving fluid through the system.

A separator for intended use in separating a selected species of particles having a particular charge from a particle mixture carried by a fluid flow, comprising:

• a tubular, elongated body for receiving the fluid flow;
• first and second electrodes for creating a first electric field for deflecting the selectively charged particles in a portion of the body receiving the fluid flow;
• and
• a third electrode positioned between the first and second electrodes and together with one of the first and second electrodes creating a second electric field adjacent to the first electric field for deflecting the selectively charged particles,
• wherein the third electrode includes a longitudinal dimension in a direction of fluid flow less than a corresponding dimension of the first or second electrode in the same direction.

A diffuser assembly for receiving a fluid medium, such as a gas, and creating a spray having an elongated profile or flow pattern, comprising:

• a body including a top wall, a bottom wall, and a pair of spaced sidewalls defining an inlet and an outlet;
• and
• a tubular nozzle associated with the inlet of the body, the nozzle including a generally circular portion adapted for receiving the fluid medium and a frusto-conical portion extending at least partially along the body toward the outlet for delivering the fluid medium to the body;
• wherein the top wall, bottom wall, and spaced sidewalls define a passageway having a generally rectangular cross-section and an elongated, generally rectangular opening adjacent to the outlet through which the fluid medium passes after exiting the nozzle to form the spray having the elongated profile.

A method of separating at least one species of selectively charged particles from a mixture of particles entrained in or carried by a fluid flow, comprising:

• passing the fluid flow through a first electric field formed in a portion of a tubular, elongated body, wherein a direction of the electric field force acting on selectively charged particles in the mixture is not perpendicular to a direction of gravity;
• dividing the fluid flow passing the electric field into a first portion including selectively charged particles deflected after entering the electric field and a second portion;
• and
• collecting at least the selectively charged particles in at least the first portion of the fluid flow.