Methods and apparatus for moving and separating materials exhibiting different physical properties

A method for separating particulates from a particulate suspension, the method comprising the steps of:

• moving the particulates in the particulate suspension in a continuous flow through a separation vessel;
• propagating a first acoustic wave of a first frequency at least as great as one megahertz through the separation vessel;
• propagating a second acoustic wave of a second frequency through the separation vessel, said second frequency being different from the first frequency;
• superimposing the first and second acoustic waves to form a pseudo-standing acoustic wave having a group velocity, said pseudo-standing acoustic wave comprising maximum and minimum pressure surfaces that move with the group velocity of the pseudo-standing acoustic wave, said maximum and minimum pressure surfaces moving at least one of the particles towards a location in the vessel in the direction of the group velocity of the pseudo-standing acoustic wave;
• and
• separating at least one of the particulates from the particulate suspension.

A method for separating immiscible liquids, the method comprising the steps of:

• moving the immiscible liquids in a continuous flow through a separation vessel;
• propagating a first acoustic wave of a first frequency at least as great as one megahertz through the separation vessel;
• propagating a second acoustic wave of a second frequency through the separation vessel, said second frequency being different form the first frequency;
• superimposing the first and second acoustic waves to form a pseudo-standing acoustic wave having a group velocity, said pseudo-standing acoustic wave comprising maximum and minimum pressure surfaces that move with the group velocity of the pseudo-standing acoustic wave, said maximum and minimum pressure surfaces moving at least one of the immiscible liquids towards a location in the vessel in the direction of the group velocity of the pseudo-standing acoustic wave;
• and
• separating at least one of the immiscible liquids from the remaining immiscible liquids.

A method for separating undissolved gases from a liquid, the method comprising the steps of:

• moving the undissolved gases and the liquid in a continuous flow through a separation vessel;
• propagating a first acoustic wave of a first frequency at least as great as one megahertz through the separation vessel;
• propagating a second acoustic wave of a second frequency through the separation vessel, said second frequency being different from the first frequency;
• superimposing the first and second acoustic waves to form a pseudo-standing acoustic wave having a group velocity, said pseudo-standing acoustic wave comprising maximum and minimum pressure surfaces that move with the group velocity of the pseudo-standing acoustic wave, said maximum and minimum pressure surfaces moving the undissolved gases towards a location in the vessel in the direction of the group velocity of the pseudo-standing acoustic wave;
• and
• separating the undissolved gases from the liquid.

An apparatus for effectuating the controlled movement of materials having different physical properties, the apparatus comprising:

• a vessel capable of containing the materials;
• means for propagating a first acoustic wave of a first frequency through the vessel;
• and
• means for dampening at least some reflections of the first acoustic wave;
• means for propagating a second acoustic wave of a second frequency through the vessel, the second frequency being different from the first frequency, the second acoustic wave being propagated such that the first and second acoustic waves interfere with each other to form a pseudo-standing acoustic wave having a group velocity, said pseudo-standing acoustic wave comprising pressure gradients which separate regions of maximum and minimum pressure, said pressure gradients moving through space and time and acting upon at least one of the materials so as to move at least one of the materials towards a location in the vessel in the direction of the group velocity of the pseudo-standing acoustic wave.

An apparatus for separating materials having different physical properties the apparatus comprising:

• a separation vessel containing the materials;
• means for propagating a first acoustic wave or a first frequency through the separation vessel;
• means for dampening at least some reflections of the first acoustic wave;
• means for propagating a second acoustic wave of a second frequency through the separation vessel, the second frequency being different from the first frequency, the second acoustic wave being propagated such that the first and second acoustic waves interfere with each other to form a pseudo-standing acoustic wave having a group velocity, said pseudo-standing acoustic wave comprising pressure gradients which separate regions of maximum and minimum pressure, said pressure gradients moving through space and time and acting upon at least one of the materials so as to move at least one of the materials to a predetermined location;
• and
• means for separating the collecting at least one of the materials which has been moved to the predetermined location.