Acoustic barrier separator
AssigneeGeneral Atomics
InventorsRobert R. Goforth, Tihiro Ohkawa
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Abstract
High temperature gas emissions from industrial power plant or environmental clean-up processes are subjected to an acoustic waveform having second harmonic content and appropriate second harmonic phase shift to impart a net acoustic Oseen force on particulate matter contained in the gas for removal of said matter. Particulate matter of 1 micron radius is positively excluded, while smaller particles are agglomerated by the sound wave. The acoustic waveform further enhances both sorption of injected sorbent particles for removal of sulfur oxides, and the efficiency of an in-line catalytic converter for removal of nitrogen oxides. The invention improves overall removal efficiency, can operate at very high temperatures, and does not produce any secondary waste, such as filters.
Claims14
An apparatus for removing particulates from a gas flow, comprising:
- a separator chamber;
- an entrance flue means for delivering a gas flow containing particulates into said separator chamber;
- an exit flue means for delivering the gas flow from said separator chamber;
- acoustic waveform generating means for injecting an acoustic waveform into the separator chamber against the gas flow, imparting an oscillating gas velocity to the gas flow, and imparting a substantial Oseen force on said particulates that forces said particulates from the gas flow;
- and
- collection means for collecting particulates forced from the gas flow in said separator chamber by the Oseen force.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.