Patent ID: 8075786
Filing Date: 2011-12-13
Classification: B01D,C02F,Y02A

Abstract:
1. An acoustic/pressure wave-driven device for separating a first component from a fluid mixture of the first component and a fluid second component, the device comprising: a rich reservoir defining a space for containing a volume of the fluid mixture having an elevated concentration of the first component; a lean reservoir defining a space for containing a volume of the fluid mixture having a lesser concentration of the first component that is less than the elevated concentration of the first component of the fluid mixture in the rich reservoir; a pump reservoir defining a space for containing a volume of a fluid mixture of the first component and the second fluid component; a bridge structure having at least one sidewall defining at least one gradient channel having a first end in fluid communication with the space defined by the rich reservoir, a second end in fluid communication with the space defined by the lean reservoir, and a length extending between the first end and the second end, the gradient channel for containing a volume of a fluid mixture of the first component and the second fluid component having a concentration gradient of at least the first component along the length of the gradient channel, and wherein a diffusion portion of the bridge structure is disposed between the gradient channel and the space defined by the pump reservoir and wherein the diffusion portion permits diffusion of at least the first component between the gradient channel and the space defined by the pump reservoir while substantially preventing or preventing fluid flow between the gradient channel and the space defined by the pump reservoir and isolating the gradient channel from pressure oscillations within the space of the pump reservoir; and an acoustic/pressure wave source in communication with the pump reservoir for providing acoustic waves into a fluid mixture within the space defined by the pump reservoir for causing pressure oscillations in the fluid mixture therein adjacent to the diffusion portion for moving molecules of the first component against the concentration gradient from the lean reservoir into the rich reservoir.