Apparatus and method for separating particles
OwnerJoseph B. Culkininventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method and apparatus for separating particles mixed with liquid utilizing a container for holding the same. The system also employs at least one separation membrane, which is permeable to the heterogeneous particles mixed with the liquid, divides the container into first and second separation chambers. A pump biases the flow of the particle liquid mixture from one side of the membrane to the other. Simultaneously, an electric field or potential is applied to the particle liquid mixture to bias flow of the same in the other direction.
Claims19
A separator for heterogeneous particles mixed with a liquid comprising:
- a. a container for holding the heterogeneous particles mixed with the liquid;
- b. a separation membrane permeable to at least a portion of said heterogeneous particles mixed within liquid, said separation membrane dividing said container into first and second separation chambers each having an inlet and an outlet;
- c. means for pumping at least a portion of the heterogeneous particles mixed with the liquid in said container to bias flow of said heterogeneous particles mixed with the liquid in said container to bias flow of said heterogeneous particles mixed with the liquid through said separation membrane from said first separation chamber to said second separation chamber;
- d. means for applying an electrical potential to the heterogeneous particles mixed with the liquid to bias flow of at least a portion of the heterogeneous particles through said membrane from said second separation chamber to said first separation chamber;
- e. means for injecting an electrolytic buffer into said container, said electrolytic buffer mingling with the heterogeneous particles mixed with the liquid within the container;
- f. filter means for segregating said electrolytic buffer from said heterogeneous particles exiting said first separation chamber of said container;
- said filter means communicating with the outlet of said first separation chamber;
- and
- g. means for recirculating said first separation chamber heterogeneous particles segregated by said filter means into said first separation chamber at a predetermined rate.
A method of separating heterogeneous particles in a liquid
- comprising the steps of:
- a. confining the heterogeneous particles to one container;
- b. dividing the containers into first and second separation chambers with a separation membrane permeable to at least a portion of the heterogeneous particles said first and second separation each having an inlet and an outlet;
- c. pumping at least a portion of the heterogeneous particles mixed with the liquid in said one container to bias flow of said heterogeneous particles mixed with the liquid through said separation membrane, from said first separation chamber to said second separation chamber;
- d. applying an electrical potential to the heterogeneous particles mixed with the liquid to bias flow of at least a portion of the heterogeneous particles through said separation membrane, from said second separation chamber to said first separation chamber;
- e. segregating said electrolytic buffer from said heterogeneous particles exiting said first separation by employment of filter means communicating with the outlet of said first separation chamber, and
- f. recirculating said first separation chamber heterogeneous particles segregated by said filter means into said first separation chamber and at a predetermined rate.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.