Patent ID: 8875903
Filing Date: 2014-11-04
Classification: B01D,B03B,B04C

Abstract:
1. A system for separating or concentrating particles suspended in a fluid, the system comprising: a first device having an inlet, a chamber, and an outlet of the first device, the first device being configured to receive the fluid at the inlet, capture particles of a first size range urged by centrifugal forces to an outer portion of a vortex flow of the fluid in the chamber and expel the fluid and remaining particles urged by hydrodynamic pressure forces from the chamber through the outlet of the first device, wherein the chamber of the first device includes at least one collection cavity positioned to capture the particles of the first size range in the outer portion of the vortex flow and selectively placed in an open or closed state; a second device having an inlet connected to the outlet of the first device in a cascaded configuration to sequentially separate particles, a chamber, and an outlet of the second device, the second device being configured to receive the fluid at the inlet, capture particles of a second size range urged by centrifugal forces to an outer portion of a vortex flow of the fluid in the chamber and expel the fluid and remaining particles urged by hydrodynamic pressure forces from the chamber through the outlet of the second device; and, a pump operated to maintain fluid velocity of a continuous flow of the fluid at a level sufficient to generate and maintain the vortex flow in each of at least the first device and the second device.