Two dimensional separation system

A flow gating interface system, comprising:

• a flow gating interface having an effluent channel and a gating channel formed therein, said gating channel having a cross sectional area larger than said effluent channel cross sectional area, said gating channel transversely intersecting said effluent channel at an intersection portion so that said channels are in fluid communication with one another, with said intersection portion dividing said effluent channel into an upstream portion and a downstream portion, and with said intersection portion dividing said gating channel into an upstream portion and a downstream portion;
• and
• valve means operably connected to said gating channel upstream portion for regulating a flow of flush solution to said gating channel upstream portion;
• wherein said valve means is switchable between a first position supplying flush solution to said gating channel upstream portion at a first rate sufficiently great to prevent essentially all effluent in said effluent channel upstream portion from flowing to said effluent channel downstream portion, and a second position supplying flush solution to said gating channel upstream portion at a second rate lesser than said first rate and sufficiently small to permit essentially all effluent in said effluent channel upstream portion to flow to said effluent channel downstream portion.

A method of gating fluid flow, comprising:

• providing a first fluid stream;
• providing a second fluid stream of larger cross sectional area than said first fluid stream, said first and second fluid streams transversely intersecting to divide said first fluid stream into an upstream portion and a downstream portion, and to divide said second fluid stream into an upstream portion and a downstream portion;
• and
• alternately supplying fluid to said second fluid stream upstream portion at (i) a first rate sufficiently great to divert essentially all of said first fluid stream to said second fluid stream downstream portion, and (ii) at a second rate lesser than said first rate and sufficiently small to permit essentially all fluid in said first fluid stream upstream portion to flow to said first fluid stream downstream portion.