Solid-liquid separation process for fine particle suspensions by an electric and ultrasonic field

A method of dewatering an aqueous suspension comprising:

• a. flowing the suspension into a dewatering zone;
• b. subjecting the suspension to an acoustical field at an amplitude and frequency adapted to cause a separation of water bound to particles in the suspension;
• c. concurrently subjecting the suspension to an electrical field adapted to cause a migration of particles toward one portion of the zone and to cause a migration of water toward another portion of the zone;
• and
• d. removing water from the portion of the dewatering zone toward which water is migrating.

A method of dewatering an aqueous suspension in a dewatering chamber with an inlet and discharge outlet, and having two electrodes, one of which is water permeable, forming opposing walls of the dewatering chamber which method comprises:

• a. flowing the suspension into the dewatering chamber and between the two electrodes;
• b. applying an acoustical field to the suspension at a frequency and amplitude adapted to separate water bound to suspended particles in the suspension;
• c. applying an electrical field concurrently with step b between the two electrodes adapted to cause the suspended particles to migrate away from the water permeable electrode and water toward the permeable electrode;
• d. concurrently with step c removing water from the suspension through the water permeable electrode;
• and
• e. removing the dewatered suspension from the dewatering chamber.