Hybrid acoustic,centrifugal oil/water separation

A method for separating oil droplets from water in a mixture thereof, comprising:

• flowing said mixture through a first length of pipe having a first exit;
• generating first acoustic standing waves inside of the first length of pipe effective for producing acoustic radiation forces having first pressure nodes such that said oil droplets concentrate and coalesce at the first pressure nodes, and wherein the acoustic waves have a first frequency;
• flowing the mixture having concentrated and coalesced oil droplets passing through the first exit through a second length of pipe having a second diameter and a second exit, the second length of pipe being formed into a planar circular configuration having a radius of curvature and an axis, such that the coalesced oil droplets move to greater distances from the axis as a result of centrifugal forces;
• and
• flowing the mixture having concentrated and coalesced oil droplets passing through the second exit orifice through a third length of pipe disposed vertically and having an upper exit orifice and a lower exit orifice, whereby the concentrated and coalesced oil droplets separate from the water as a result of the buoyancy of the coalesced oil droplets and pass through the upper exit orifice of the third length of pipe, and the water passes through the lower exit orifice thereof.

An apparatus for separating oil droplets from water in a mixture thereof, comprising:

• a first length of pipe through which said mixture is caused to flow, said first length of pipe having an outer surface, an inner volume, and a first exit orifice;
• at least one first acoustic transducer in acoustic contact with the outer surface of said first length of pipe, for generating first acoustic standing waves in the inner volume of said first length of pipe effective for producing acoustic radiation forces having first pressure nodes such that said oil droplets concentrate and coalesce at the first pressure nodes, and wherein the acoustic waves have a first frequency;
• a first waveform generator for powering said at least one first acoustic transducer;
• and
• a second length of pipe for receiving the concentrated and coalesced oil droplets flowing through the first exit orifice of said first length of pipe, having a second exit orifice, said second length of pipe being formed into a planar configuration having a radius of curvature and an axis, such that the coalesced oil droplets move to greater distances from the axis as a result of centrifugal forces.

An apparatus for separating oil droplets from water in a mixture thereof, comprising:

• a first length of pipe through which said mixture is caused to flow, said first length of pipe having an outer surface, an inner volume, and a first exit orifice;
• at least one first acoustic transducer in acoustic contact with the outer surface of said first length of pipe, for generating first acoustic standing waves in the inner volume of said first length of pipe effective for producing acoustic radiation forces having first pressure nodes such that said oil droplets concentrate and coalesce at the first pressure nodes, and wherein the acoustic waves have a first frequency;
• a first waveform generator for powering said at least one first acoustic transducer;
• a second length of pipe for receiving the concentrated and coalesced oil droplets flowing through the first exit orifice of said first length of pipe, having a second exit orifice, said second length of pipe being formed into a planar configuration having a radius of curvature and an axis, such that the coalesced oil droplets move to greater distances from the axis as a result of centrifugal forces;
• and
• a third length of pipe for receiving the concentrated and coalesced oil droplets flowing through the second exit orifice, disposed vertically and having an upper exit orifice and a lower exit orifice, whereby the concentrated and coalesced oil droplets separate from the water as a result of the buoyancy of the coalesced oil droplets and pass through the upper exit orifice of said third length of pipe, and the water passes through the lower exit orifice thereof.