Apparatus for separation and conveying of clumped particles, such as carbon fibers

An apparatus for separating individual particles from a collection of clumps (or bundles or aggregates) of particles, comprising

• n number of separation columns, wherein each separation column is connected at an upper portion thereof to at least one fluid connection, wherein one of the separation columns connected to at least one fluid connection is defined as a particle separating zone thereby forming n particle separating zones,
• each separation column includes a porous or nonporous structure located at a lower end of said separation column;
• a particle collector;
• a particle feeder fluidly connected to a first of said separation columns, said particle feeder being configured to feed both particles and clumps of particles to the first of said separation columns;
• the nth fluid connection is connected at a downstream point to the particle collector;
• one or more fluid sources which are fluidly connected with each of the separation columns for supplying pressurized fluid to the particle separating zone,
• wherein each of the one or more fluid sources supplies pressurized fluid:
• i) through the porous or nonporous structure located at the lower end of the separating column;
• ii) through an opening in the separation column;
• iii) through an opening in the fluid connection;
• or iv) through an opening in the particle feeder,
• wherein said fluid sources are configured such that said pressurized fluid:
• a) suspends a portion of the clumps above the porous or nonporous structure and within the particle separating zone thereby separating at least some clumps into smaller clumps and/or individual particles;
• and
• b) conveys a portion of the clumps and/or individual particles to the next separation column in the series of separation columns, or, in the case of the nth separation column conveys individual particles to the particle collector.