# US 2015/0143784 A1 · Crossflow filtration particle separator > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2015/0143784 A1 - Document ID: US20150143784A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/549,803 - Filed: 2014-11-21 - Published: 2015-05-28 - Earliest claimed: 2012-06-07 - Assignees: The Regents of the University of California - Applicants: The Regents of the University of California - Inventors: Raul H. Piedrahita; Tien-Chieh Hung - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20150143784A1 ## CPC - B01D 45/16: generated by the winding course of the gas stream {, the centrifugal forces being generated solely or partly by mechanical means, e.g. fixed swirl vanes} - B01D 21/003: {Sedimentation tanks provided with a plurality of compartments separated by a partition wall (B01D21/0039 takes precedence)} - B01D 45/04: by utilising inertia (B01D45/12 takes precedence) - B01D 45/08: by impingement against baffle separators - B01D 45/12: by centrifugal forces (centrifuges B04B; cyclones B04C) - B01D 50/20: Combinations of devices covered by groups B01D45/00 and B01D46/00 - B04C 3/06: Construction of inlets or outlets to the vortex chamber - B01D: SEPARATION (separating solids from solids by wet methods B03B, B03D; by pneumatic jigs or tables B03B; by other dry methods B07; magnetic or electrostatic separation of solid materials from solid materials or fluids, separation by high-voltage electric fields B03C; centrifuges, vortex apparatus B04; presses per se for squeezing-out liquid from liquid-containing material B30B9/02; treatment of water C02F, e.g. softening by ion-exchange C02F1/42; {arrangements of air intake cleaners in gas turbine plants F02C7/05} ; arrangements or mounting of filters in air-conditioning, air-humidification or ventilation F24F13/28) - B04C: APPARATUS USING FREE VORTEX FLOW, e.g. CYCLONES ({centrifugal separation of water from steam B01D45/12;} jet mills B02C19/06; {wind sifters B07B7/00;} cyclonic type combustion apparatus F23; {vortex burners for cyclone-type combustion apparatus F23D1/02; cyclonic type combustion apparatus for gas turbines F23R3/00}) ## Abstract A form of crossflow filtration particle separator which receives a particle laden moving fluid surrounded by a clear moving fluid at a proximal end, and separates the particles into a collection zone, or collector, in response to vortices created by diagonal slits and baffles located from the center of the particle separator to its distal end. The filter operates horizontally in a small amount of space without use of physical filter media or the need of a high pressure flow, while allowing delicate particles to be separated without damage. Particle collection structures allow the separated particles to be carried away in a separate flow. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An apparatus for separating particles from a fluid, the apparatus comprising: a housing having a substantially horizontal tubular cavity with a closed distal end, with a proximal end configured for receiving a first flow of fluid containing particles to be separated and a second flow of fluid surrounding said first flow; a plurality of adjacent slits and baffles are positioned diagonally along the sides of the housing located from the center of the particle separator to its distal end; and a particle collector positioned at the bottom of said housing; wherein said second flow shields particles from said first flow from exiting said slits; wherein particles collect from the first flow at said particle collector in response to vortices created by a combination of fluid flow striking the baffles and passing through said diagonal slits, and fluid motion on the closed distal end. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus recited in claim 1, wherein said diagonal slits and baffles are slanted at an angle from said housing between 30° to 70°. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The apparatus recited in claim 1, wherein each of said baffles comprise a series of small projecting structures extending into an interior of said housing. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The apparatus recited in claim 1, wherein said apparatus operates without physical filter media, or need of a high pressure flow of said first flow or said second flow. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The apparatus recited in claim 1, wherein said apparatus can separate delicate particles from said first flow without damage to the delicate particles. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The apparatus recited in claim 1, further comprising a fluid connection on said particle collector, wherein particles are collected and taken away in a third flow having a flow rate which is less than either said first flow or said second flow. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The apparatus recited in claim 6, wherein said particle collector is shaped with a rapid vertical drop to a fluid connection distal of the first slits, and a more gently sloped vertical drop to this fluid connection from near the distal end of the housing. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The apparatus recited in claim 1, wherein said housing is approximately cylindrical. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The apparatus recited in claim 1, wherein the diameter of said housing is between approximately 2.5 cm and 25 cm. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The apparatus recited in claim 1, wherein the diameter of particles to be removed is dependent on particle specific gravity as well as particle size. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The apparatus recited in claim 1: wherein said fluid comprises a liquid; and wherein diameter of particles to be removed from the liquid fluid is between 1 μm to 1.5 mm, and more particularly greater than 200 μm for particles with a specific gravity of approximately one. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The apparatus recited in claim 1: wherein said fluid comprises a gaseous fluid; wherein particle removal performance depends on particle specific gravity; and wherein diameter of particles to be removed from air, as said gaseous fluid, is on the order of 2 mm. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The apparatus recited in claim 1, wherein a multiple of said apparatus are utilized, coupled in series, to remove larger percentage of the particles from said first flow of fluid. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The apparatus recited in claim 1, wherein at least one of said apparatus is coupled into a system as a prefilter, to reduce the amount of particles entering other filtering devices. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The apparatus recited in claim 1, wherein said apparatus is utilized in treatment of wastewater, algal cultures, or other aquacultures. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The apparatus recited in claim 1, wherein said apparatus is utilized in removing of fragile particles from a flow of liquid, without damage to the particles. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The apparatus recited in claim 16, wherein said apparatus is utilized in removing fragile particles selected from a group of particles consisting of flocks and algae. ### Claim 18 An apparatus for separating particles from a fluid, the apparatus comprising: a housing having a closed distal end, with a proximal end configured for receiving a first flow of fluid containing particles to be separated and a second flow of fluid surrounding said first flow; a plurality of adjacent slits and baffles that are positioned diagonally along the sides of the housing located from center of said housing to its distal end; and a particle collector positioned at a bottom of said housing having a fluid connection through which particles are collected and taken away in a third flow having a flow rate which is less than either said first flow or said second flow; wherein said second flow shields particles from said first flow from exiting said slits; and wherein particles collect from the first flow at said particle collector in response to vortices created by a combination of fluid flow striking the baffles and passing through said diagonal slits, and fluid motion on the closed distal end. ### Claim 19 An apparatus for separating particles from a fluid, comprising: a tubular structure with a closed distal end; said tubular structure forms a cavity and is configured for receiving fluid flow at a proximal end; a plurality of lateral baffles and slits positioned diagonally along walls of said tubular structure, with said slits having a width exceeding the particle diameter; and a particle collector disposed at the bottom of said tubular structure; wherein said fluid flow comprises a first fluid flow containing particles and a second fluid flow which annularly surrounds said first fluid flow; wherein a particle-free or low-particle concentration filtrate of said first fluid flow and second fluid flow exits the tubular structure through said lateral slits; and wherein the particles from said first fluid flow are concentrated at the particle collector in response to vortices generated in response to fluid flow interacting with the baffles, slits and closed distal end. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The apparatus recited in claim 19, wherein said apparatus operates without physical filter media, or need of a high pressure flow of said first flow or said second flow.