Abstract:
An apparatus and method for separating a particle stream into particle groups and treating a particle stream, comprising a dilution treatment chamber defining an upstanding passageway to receive a particle stream, such that the particle stream falls toward a first-particle-group outlet in the dilution treatment chamber. A transfer chamber casing is adjacent and interconnected to the dilution treatment chamber, and defines a transfer chamber to receive second particle group Second-particle-groups outlets of the transfer chamber are laterally positioned with respect to the passageway and allow jet fluid communication there between. A distributor in the passageway is provided to spread out the particle stream and to distribute the particle stream over a surface area of the dilution treatment chamber. Fluid flow apertures create a fluid flow between the transfer chamber and the passageway of the dilution treatment chamber so as to project/entrain second particle group to the transfer chamber with a first particle group remaining in the dilution treatment chamber for exiting through the first-particle-group outlet of the dilution treatment chamber. The apparatus and method is also used to treat particle streams/fluids. A method and device for separating/treating a stream of particles having a cross sectional area, the stream of particles flowing substantially along a stream flow direction. The method includes: directing a flow of fluid towards the stream of particles, the flow of fluid flowing substantially along a flow of fluid direction, the flow of fluid having a pressure and magnitude such that the velocity produce a jet of the fluid producing a force imparting on the particles causing the particles to move in a direction substantially parallel to the flow of fluid thereby increasing the cross sectional area and diluting the previous mass of the particles stream, and the separating/treating, particles/fluids.

Description:
This application claims priority on Canadian Patent Applications No. 2,421,246, filed on Feb. 12, 2003, No. 2,419,451, filed on Feb. 21, 2003, and No. 2,435,086, filed on Jul. 18, 2003. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention generally relates to the separation and mixing, of particles and, more specifically, to a dry particle stream separator/mixer and methods for separating particle streams into particle groups and for mixing/treating particle groups. 
   2. Background Art 
   Previously known techniques and methods are currently used for the separation of aggregates into particle groups. For instance, gravity classifiers, inertial classifiers, centrifugal classifiers, and cyclone separators are well known and used technologies. Amongst other patents, Canadian Patent No. 2,257,674, issued on Jan. 7, 2003 to Cordonnier et al., discloses an air classifier with centrifugal action. Canadian Patent Applications No. 2,068,935 (by Tyler et al.) and 2,294,829 (by Gruenwald) respectively describe an air separator and an air classification of water-bearing fruit and vegetable ingredients for peel and seed removal and size discrimination. 
   Another known separation method is gravity separation by elutriation. In this process, a predetermined particle group is lifted by airflow against the force of gravity. A finer particle group is collected by an upwardly positioned collector, whereas coarser particles overcome the airflow to be collected at a downwardly positioned collector. The velocity of air has a direct effect on the particle group that is collected by the upwardly positioned collector. 
   This previously described method is a dry process, in that the fluid used for the separation is not in a liquid phase. Such systems are advantageous in that no liquid is polluted in the separation process. The cleaning of liquids after particle separation is a costly process, and this results in a clear cost-efficiency advantage for dry processes. 
   SUMMARY OF INVENTION  
   It is therefore an aim of the present invention to provide a novel apparatus and method for separating a particle stream into particle groups. 
   It is a further aim of the present invention to cause a dilution of a particle stream and is related to enhance the separation of the particle stream into particle groups. 
   It is a further aim of the present invention to provide a novel apparatus and method for mixing a particle groups into a particle stream. 
   It is a further aim of the present invention that the apparatuses for separating a particle stream into particle groups, and for mixing particle groups into a particle stream use minimum space and air volume so as to be cost and space efficient. 
   It is a further aim of the present invention to provide a novel apparatus and method for separating particle streams into particle groups. 
   It is a further aim of the present invention to reduce a need for conventional dust collection systems. 
   A few factors are considered in creating separation, mixing equipment. For instance, it is desired that the amount of fluid used in the process be kept low. The fluid that is used for the separation, will lose the particles it carries for settling. 
   Also, the separation is a sub-process of larger processes, and is often performed in limited-space areas with the larger process. It is therefore desired to keep the dry-separation equipment as space efficient as possible. 
   Therefore, and non-restrictively, in accordance with the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for separating a particle stream into particle groups and treating a particles stream. The apparatus includes a dilution treatment chamber  12 , defining for instance a parallelepipedic upstanding passageway ( 20 ), dilution treatment chamber  12 , having a particle inlet  21 , at a top end, and a first-particle group outlet at a bottom end, the dilution treatment chamber  12 , being adapted to receive a particle stream at the inlet  21 , such that the particle stream falls toward the dilution treatment chamber and first particle group outlet  22 ; a transfer chamber casing  13 , for instance parallelepipedic and adjacent to the dilution treatment chamber  12 , and defining a transfer chamber  30 , adapted to receive the second particle group separated from the particle stream; a transfer chamber  13 , sharing a wall  23 , with the dilution treatment chamber  12 ; at least one transfer aperture  24 , second particle group outlet laterally positioned with respect to the dilution treatment chamber  12 , and allowing fluid communication between the longitudinal dilution treatment chamber  12 , and the longitudinal transfer chamber  13 ; a distributor  14 , in passageway of the dilution treatment chamber  12 , and at least one nozzle  14 , situated between the particle stream inlet  25 , and at least one transfer aperture  24 , second particle-group outlet for spread out, breaking down the particle stream and distributing the particle stream over a surface area of the dilution treatment chamber  12 , and; at least one dilution treatment chamber fluid flow aperture ( 25 ) in the dilution treatment chamber  12 , and below the distributor  14 , adapted to create a lateral fluid flow jet between the dilution treatment chamber  12 , and the transfer chamber  13 , so as to impact and entrain a second particle group, from the passageway of the dilution treatment chamber and to project the selected particles groups away through the transfer aperture  24 , and second-particle group outlet to the transfer chamber outlet  31 , with a first-particle-group remaining in the dilution treatment chamber  12 , and exiting through the dilution treatment chamber, first-particle-group outlet  22 , the apparatus being adapted to be connected to a positive pressure source to create the fluid flow stream. 
   Still further in accordance with the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for at least treating particle and/or fluid stream, comprising a generally parallelepipedic dilution treatment chamber  12 , defining a parallelepipedic upstanding passageway  20 , having an inlet  21 , at a top end, and an outlet  22 , at a bottom end, the passageway  20 , being adapted to receive said particle and/or fluid streams at the inlet such that said particle and/or streams fall toward the outlet; at least one dilution treatment chamber fluid flow aperture  25  connected to the nozzle outlet having an adjustable cross section area, in the dilution treatment chamber  12 , adapted to create a generally lateral flow of at least one of a fluid jet and particle jet within the passageway  20 , enhancing separation and to create a turbulence in the passageway  20 , for at least one of mixing said particle and/or fluid streams and treating said particle and/or fluid streams, whereby a mixture and/or treated matter will exit the passageway  20 , at the outlet  22 ; and a positive pressure source connected to the nozzle which is connected to the dilution treatment chamber fluid flow aperture to create the lateral flow of the at least one of the fluid and the particle jet. 
   Still further in accordance with the present invention, there is provided a method for at least one of treating particle and/or fluid streams, comprising the steps of: i) vertically diluting particle and/or fluid streams by directing particle and/or fluid streams to a falling condition; ii) creating a lateral flow of fluid and/or a particle jet force across the particle and/or fluid streams in said falling condition for at least one of treating the particle and/or fluid streams by a turbulence resulting from the lateral flow of fluid and/or particle jet stream, and treating said particle and/or fluid streams; and iii) collecting the treated matter below the lateral flow. 
   In some embodiments of the invention, the method and apparatus lets the particles decelerate, agglomerate and settle in the transfer chamber  13 , and exiting by the transfer chamber outlet  31 . 
   Advantageously, the claimed apparatus is able to process relatively large quantities of particles relatively fast. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Having thus generally described the nature of the invention, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, showing by way of illustration a preferred embodiment thereof and in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a schematic view of an apparatus for separating/treating a particle stream in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and of a method for separating/treating the particles stream; 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the apparatus in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 3  is a further perspective view of the apparatus of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a nozzle to be used with the apparatus of the first embodiment; 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the apparatus in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a lateral particle separator to be used with the apparatus of the second embodiment; 
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a recuperator tray of the apparatus; 
       FIG. 8  is a schematic view of impeller used to create horizontal dilution of a particle stream in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 9  is a schematic view of a laterally reciprocating strainer in accordance with a further alternative embodiment of the present invention; and 
       FIG. 10  is a schematic view of an apparatus for separating/treating particles stream in accordance with a still further alternative embodiment of the present invention. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   It is pointed out that the present invention is associated with the separating or mixing. The term “particles stream” is broadly used herein to designate a different component mass of particles, granules, pellets, and other elements of different mass and volume gathered together. Various uses of the present invention are defined hereinafter, for which the components masses which are separated/treated is referred to as particle stream, unless stated otherwise. 
   Referring to the drawings, and more particularly to  FIG. 1 , an apparatus for separating/treating a particle stream into particle groups is generally shown at  10 . The apparatus  10 , shown in the drawings is a typical apparatus according to the invention. The reader skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many other geometric shapes and configurations are within the scope of the invention. The apparatus  10 , has a substantially parallelipipedic dilution transfer chamber  12 , a substantially parallelipipedic transfer chamber  13  adjacent to the dilution treatment chamber  12 , sharing a wall  23 , between the transfer chamber  13  and the dilution treatment chamber  12 , a nozzles  14  serially mounted on the dilution treatment chamber  12 , and a pre-treatment module  15 . It is pointed out that the nozzles  14  are affixed with letters in various figures, whereby reference to the nozzles  14  will relate to all nozzles (e.g., nozzles  14 A,  14 B and  14 C), while reference to a specific one of the nozzles will include an affixed letter. 
   The dilution treatment chamber  12  performs a dilution of a particle stream by gravity, hosts a step of separation/ of the particle stream into particle groups. 
   The transfer chamber casing  13  is in fluid communication with the dilution treatment chamber  12  and receives particle group separated from the remainder of the particle stream in the dilution treatment chamber  12 . 
   The nozzles  14  are used to inject project fluid, which distributes the mass of particle stream and/or enhance the dilution of the particle stream in the dilution treatment chamber  12 . Moreover, the nozzles  14  are used to inject/project fluid jet which separates particle stream into the particle groups, and treating particles stream. 
   The pre-treatment module  15  is used to guide and-accelerate the particle stream toward the dilution treatment chamber  12 , such that the particle stream will have predetermined velocity. The velocity will cause a dilution of the particle stream. 
   Dilution Treatment Chamber  12   
   Referring concurrently to  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  3 , the typically parallelepipedic dilution treatment chamber  12  is shown having an upstanding elongated shape, and defines a substantially elongated passageway  20  having a passageway cross-section Although a passageway cross-section, is described, any other suitable cross-section shapes are contemplated. The passageway  20  has an inlet  21  at a top end thereof and an outlet  22  at a bottom end thereof. The dilution treatment chamber  12  shares a wall  23  with the preferably parallelepipedic transfer chamber casing  13 . Transfer apertures  24 , positioned opposite the dilution treatment chamber fluids aperture  25 , are provided in the wall  23 , such that the dilution treatment chamber  12  and the transfer chamber casing  13 , are in fluid communication. Moreover, the dilution treatment chamber  12  may vary in cross-sectional dimensions. For instance, appropriate translating mechanisms may be provided so as to increase/decrease a length or width of the cross-section parameters of the dilution treatment chamber  12 . 
   The dilution treatment chamber  12  also has pressure-differential apertures  25  (herein three apertures, i.e., dilution treatment chamber fluid flow apertures), two of which are horizontally positioned opposite the transfer aperture  24  in the wall  23 , between the dilution chamber  12  and transfer chamber casing  13 . 
   Transfer Chamber  13   
   Referring concurrently to  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  3 , the transfer chamber casing  13  defines an inner transfer chamber  30 . The inner transfer chamber  30  has a funnel-shaped outlet  31  at a bottom end thereof, so as to collect a particle group and allow deceleration and mass reconcentration for settling in the transfer chamber  30 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 5 , a lateral particle separator  60 , in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, is received in the inner transfer chamber  30  of the transfer chamber casing  13 . The lateral particle separator  60  will be described in further detail hereinafter, and is used to cause a further particle group separation. 
   Nozzle  14   
   Referring concurrently to  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  3 , the nozzle  14 B and  14 C are positioned opposite the transfer aperture  24  of the dilution treatment chamber  12 . The nozzle  14 , may take various geometric shape and configurations. For instance, the nozzle configuration are connected to a pressure source so as to produce and project, inject a gaseous fluid (e.g., air or any other suitable gas, whereby reference will be made non-restrictively hereinafter to air or gaseous fluid) into the passageway  20  of the dilution treatment chamber  12 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 4 , one of the nozzle  14  is illustrated in greater detail. The nozzle  14  has an inlet  40 , by which it is connected to a pressure source, and an outlet  41  of elongated shape. The nozzle  14  has a diffusing body  42  between the inlet  40  and the outlet  41 . 
   In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the diffusing body  42  has an accumulator portion  43  connected to the inlet  40 , and tapered diffusing sectors  44  between the accumulator portion  43  and the outlet  41 . The diffusing sectors  44  are used in order to create a substantially uniform diffusion of fluid out of each of the nozzle  14 . 
   A gate  45  is displaceable vertically for the adjustment of the height of the outlet and surface area of the nozzle outlet opening  41 . A connection flange  46  is used to secure the nozzle  14  to the dilution treatment chamber  12  opposite the pressure-differential apertures  25 . It is also seen in  FIGS. 2 and 3  that the gate  45  can be accessed from an exterior of the apparatus  10 , thereby enabling the rapid adjustment of the outlet size of the nozzle  14  from an exterior of the apparatus  10 . 
   The above-described configuration of the nozzle  14  enables a high-pressure, low-volume output of gaseous fluid into the dilution treatment chamber  12  to produce a high impact on the particles stream. 
   Accordingly, the output of gaseous fluid will decelerate at a high rate, so as to project and entrain in some instances described hereinafter a given selected particle group out of the dilution treatment chamber  12 , and to avoid creating turbulence in the transfer chamber  30 . Such turbulence would slow down the settling process in the transfer chamber  13 , for instance, if the apparatus  10  were used for classifying particle groups. 
   Pretreatment Module  15   
   Referring concurrently to  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  3 , the pre-treatment module  15  is positioned at the inlet  21  of the dilution treatment chamber  12 . The pre-treatment module  15  conveys the particle stream from a particle stream source, such as conveyor C, to the inlet  21  of the dilution treatment chamber  12 . More specifically, the pre-treatment module  15  will be used to produce specific inlet conditions for the particle stream. 
   In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the pre-treatment module  15  has a slide  50 , sloping downwardly towards the inlet  21  of the dilution treatment chamber  12 . A deflector  51  is positioned between the slide  50  and the inlet  21  of the passageway  20 . The deflector  51  has a generally horizontal launch surface, but may also be oriented otherwise. As seen in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the slide  50  tapers towards the inlet  21  of the dilution treatment chamber  12 , so as to have an outlet  22 , width generally equal to the inlet  21 , width of the passageway  20  of the dilution treatment chamber  12 . The particle stream reaching the slide  50  is preferably uniformly distributed toward the inlet  21  of the dilution treatment chamber  12 . 
   A further slide splitter  53  is optionally provided above the slide  50  so as to dampen the fall of the particle stream from the conveyor C. The slide  53  will absorb a portion of the downward force, and will absorb the lateral velocity transmitted from the conveyor C to the particle stream, such that the particle stream reaches the dilution treatment chamber  12  at predetermined velocity parameters. 
   It is contemplated to provide various geometry configuration to the pre-treatment module  15 . For instance and non restrictively, the slide  50  is herein illustrated as being generally a flat, inclined surface. However, it is contemplated to provide the slide  50  with a downwardly-tapered shape, whose cross-section would meet the inlet  21  of the dilution treatment chamber  12 . Moreover, for such an embodiment, the slide  53  preferably has an upright shape. 
   The Operation of the Apparatus in Separation 
   Now that the various components of the apparatus  10  have been described, of the apparatus  10  is set forth. 
   Referring concurrently to  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  3 , a particle stream is fed by the conveyor C to the apparatus  10 . The particle stream has a lateral velocity and will accelerate downwardly when leaving the conveyor C due to gravitational forces. 
   The slide  53  will absorb a portion of the downward force of the particle stream, and stop the lateral velocity of the particle stream that had been transferred to the particle stream by the action of the conveyor C. The mass of particle stream is directed by the slide  53  toward the slide  50  of the pre-treatment module  15 , at generally predetermined velocity conditions. 
   Upon reaching the slide  50 , the particle stream will be guided by the guiding rails  52  so as to be conveyed uniformly towards the dilution treatment chamber  12  as a result of the downward slope of the slide  50 . The downward slope of the slide  50  will cause the particle stream to accelerate. 
   The deflector  51 , having a launch surface, will deflect the particle stream so as to initiate a break-up of the particles stream. A dilution will be the result of the deflection of the particle stream by the deflector  51 . Accordingly, the particle stream will reach the dilution treatment chamber  12 , having been subjected to a mass break-up and to a horizontal dilution. 
   The particles stream then falls in the passageway  20  of the dilution treatment chamber  12 . The gravity velocity acceleration will cause a vertical dilution of the particle stream and will multiplies the previous dilution caused by the nozzle  14 . 
   A first one of the nozzles  14 , namely nozzle  14 A, will inject/air within the dilution-treatment chamber  12 , passageway  20 , so as to spread out the mass of particle stream into particle groups, dilute and/or creating space between the particles groups. This nozzle  14 A is also referred to as a distributor, as it will be distributing the particle stream over a surface area of the dilution treatment chamber dimension  12 . As an alternative of nozzle  14 , a distributors  14 , the apparatus  10  may be provided with vibrating strainers, impellers, or the like, as will be illustrated hereinafter. 
   The particle stream, having been subjected to a horizontal and a vertical dilution, will be crossing a horizontal flow of air as injected/by at least one others nozzles  14 B, and the optional nozzle  14 C. The nozzles  14 B and  14 C inject air, at a predetermined pressure through the dilution treatment chamber fluid aperture  25 , which are positioned opposite to the transfer chamber aperture  24 , such that the fluid will project particles group selected from the particle stream in the dilution treatment chamber  12  the finer particles carried through the particle stream and/or out of the passageway  20 , through the transfer chamber aperture  24 , and into the inner transfer chamber  13 , in a high ratio of particle to air concentration. The air injected by the nozzles  14  is at the predetermined pressure, such that the other groups of particles have not been projected out and remain in the particle stream depending. In other words, some groups of particles are projected over the dilution treatment chamber distance, which creates a separation of these groups of particles from other particles present in the stream of particles. Particle group will not entrained out of the passageway  20  by the air flow. The dilution that has taken place previously is an important factor for the separation and treating of the different particles. The magnitude of the pressure of air projected/injected will have a direct effect on the particles groups being withdrawn from the particle stream in the dilution treatment chamber  20 . It is pointed out that the vertical distance from the inlet  21  to the nozzle  14 B is an essential factor in diluting the particle stream to facilitate the subsequent separation/treating of the particle groups so as to increase fluid/particle contact. 
   Although three nozzles (namely  14 A,  14 B and  14 C) are described, the number of nozzles  14  is variable according to the present invention. The apparatus  10  is operative with a single nozzle  14  opposing an aperture  25 , but a plurality of nozzles  14  may be serially added on the dilution treatment chamber  12  to increase the efficiency of the operation taking place within the dilution treatment chamber  12 . 
   Thereafter, the selected particle group exits through the transfer chamber outlet  31  at the bottom of the transfer chamber  30  of the transfer casing  13  after settling, whereas the remaining particle stream particle group continues its drop into the dilution treatment chamber  12  outlet  22 . 
   The Operation of the Apparatus in /Treating 
   As mentioned previously, the apparatus  10  of the present invention is usable for treating particles and/or fluid streams. Therefore, treating an operation of the apparatus  10  is set forth. 
   Referring to  FIG. 1 , particle and/or fluid streams to treat are fed by the conveyor C, and possibly other conveyors or particle and/or fluid sources (not shown) to the apparatus  10 . The particle and/or fluid streams have a lateral velocity and will accelerate downwardly when leaving their source due to gravitational forces as similarly set for the separate process, just different force adjustment will take place as described previously. 
   The particle and/or fluid streams then falls in the passageway  20  of the dilution treatment chamber  12 . The gravity will cause a vertical dilution of the particle and/or fluid streams. 
   A first one of the nozzles, namely nozzle  14 A, will laterally project/inject fluid, or any other suitable fluid or particle jet, within the passageway  20  of the dilution treatment chamber  12  so as to cause a movement of components of particle stream for another step of dilution of the particle and/or fluid streams. The fluid/particle injected and projected by the nozzle  14 A is of predetermined pressure depending of the adjustment of the pressure source and the nozzle outlet gate  41 , to produce the different jet force through the particle stream so as to have a variable effect relative to the size, mass and other characteristics of the streams and/or fluid streams. The nozzle  14  and  14 A projects/injects air or any other suitable fluid, at high pressure and low volume. 
   The opposite transfer chamber apertures  24  are used in the treating process of the apparatus  10 . The nozzles  14 B and  14 C are optionally used with the opposite transfer chamber aperture  24  with a fluid at high pressure  26 , so as to create further turbulence, as it is contemplated to provide a plurality of the nozzles  14  to enhance the treating of particle and/or fluid stream in the passageway  20 , or for treating the particle and/or fluid streams. Additional nozzles may also be added to the apparatus  10 . 
   Thereafter, the treated matter, resulting from the treatment of the particle and/or fluid streams, continues its drop into the dilution treatment chamber  12  toward the outlet  22 . 
   Additional Components of the Apparatus  10   
   It is contemplated to provide additional components to the apparatus  10  in order to optimise the separation of the particle stream into particle groups. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , a lateral selector is generally shown at  60 . The lateral selector  60  is positioned in the transfer chamber  30  of the transfer casing  13 . Referring more specifically to  FIG. 6  in which all reference numerals are shown to simplify  FIG. 5 , the lateral selector  60  is shown defining three upstanding sectors  61 , each converging to a segmented outlet portion  62 . Each of the sector  61  has a respective collecting surface  63  upon which particles coming from the dilution treatment chamber  12  will be collected. A flow of fluid outlet  64  is provided downstream of the upstanding sectors  61  to allow an appropriate flow of fluid, that will not impede on the lateral flow of fluid (or gaseous fluid) out of the lateral outlets  24  of the dilution treatment chamber  12 . 
   More specifically, the lateral distributor  60  operates with the principle that the distance traveled by the particles transported in the flow of fluid from the dilution treatment chamber  12  is a function of the particle size parameters (e.g., surface area, mass) and the jet momentum of the flow of fluid. Accordingly, heavier mass of particles will travel a shorter distance than finer ones, whereby the coarser particles will be collected by the upstream sector  61 . Therefore, a further particle group separation takes place with the lateral distributor  60 . The hence separated particle groups are collected-separately at the segmented outlet portion  62 . 
   Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 7 , recuperation trays  70  are provided below each of the transfer chamber apertures  24  of the dilution treatment chamber  12 . More specifically, it is possible that particles groups should selectively remain with the dilution treatment chamber  12  are deflected out of the transfer chamber aperture  24 . It is anticipated that these heavier groups of particles will not travel a long distance out of the transfer chamber aperture  24  due to their mass parameters and momentum. Accordingly, the recuperation trays  70  are provided to collect these particles, as they are positioned directly below the transfer chamber apertures  24 . These particles are returned to the dilution treatment chamber  12  by the sloping shape of the recuperation trays  70 . 
   Moreover, the recuperation tray  70  illustrated in  FIG. 7  have various configurations also effects a particle separation. More specifically, the recuperation tray  70  as has a first sector  71  and a second sector  72 . The first sector  71  collects the particles that should not have left the dilution treatment chamber  12 , whereas the second sector  72  collects rapidly falling particles, of a grade just below that of the particle group remaining within the dilution treatment chamber  12 . It is pointed out that the second sector  72  is connected to its own outlet. 
   Also, the recuperation tray  70  may be pivotally connected at a bottom edge thereof to the wall of the dilution treatment chamber  12 . This would enable adjustment of an angle of the recuperation tray  70  with regard to the vertical, as a function of the particle stream/particle group being separated. 
     FIG. 8 and 9  illustrate alternative of the nozzle  14 A. In  FIG. 8 , an impeller is shown at  80 . In  FIG. 9 , a laterally reciprocating strainer is generally shown at  90 . Both these alternatives will cause a horizontal dilution of the particle stream. Other alternatives include, electrostatic or magnetic emitters (e.g., in accordance with the type of particles stream being treated), as well as any mechanical or ultrasound system. 
   It is also contemplated to inject additives to the particle stream being diluted in the dilution treatment chamber  12 . For instance, an aperture such as one of the dilution treatment chamber pressure-differential apertures  25  can be used with a suitable injection system (e.g., pressure source and conduit combination) to inject any kind of treatment agent color (e.g., in the form of a powder) to the particle stream being diluted in the dilution treatment chamber  12 , or to particle groups being treated therein. 
   It is also contemplated to provide a plurality of the apparatus  10  in series, with a conveying system transporting/conveying the output of an upstream one of the apparatus  10  to a downstream one. Alternatively, a pair (or more) of the apparatus  10  may be positioned in parallel and/or share a common transfer chamber  30 , to collect a specific particle group. In such a case, the transfer chamber  13  could be used to treat a particles group from a first dilution treatment chamber  12  with particles group of a second dilution treatment chamber  12 . 
   For instance, referring to  FIG. 10 , an apparatus in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention is generally shown at  10 ′. The apparatus  10 ′ is similar to the apparatus  10  of  FIG. 1  in that the apparatus  10 ′ has a dilution treatment chamber  12 ,  102 , nozzles  14 ,  104  (herein pluralities nozzles for the dilution treatment chamber  12 ,  102 ), and a pre-treatment module  15 ′. The pre-treatment module  15 ′ shows a different shape (e.g., with a slide  55 ′, but operates in a fashion similar to that of the pre-treatment module  15 . The apparatus  10 ′ has another transfer chamber casing  13 ′ in which a secondary separation/treatment is performed. 
   More specifically, the transfer chamber casing  13 ′ has a transfer plate  100 , a dilution treatment chamber  102 , nozzles  104 , and another transfer chamber sub casing  106 . The particles group reaching the transfer chamber casing  13 ′ from the dilution treatment chamber  12  will drop into the inlet of the dilution treatment chamber  102 , or will settle onto the transfer plate  100 , to then reach the inlet of the dilution treatment chamber  102 . 
   Optionally, the transfer plate  100  is provided with a vibrator  108  so as to avoid having particles collect thereon. The transfer plate  100  could also be provided with a low adherence coating, such as PTFE. 
   The dilution treatment chamber  102  is illustrated having the nozzles  104 A,  104 B, and  104 C. The nozzle  104 A serves the same function as the nozzle  14 A of  FIG. 1 , namely to distribute the particles group that has reached the dilution treatment chamber  102 . The nozzle  104 A can be replaced with other devices, such as those illustrated in  FIGS. 8 and 9 . 
   The nozzles  104 B and  104 C serve the same function as the nozzles  14 B and  14 C of  FIG. 1 , and are thus positioned opposite the transfer aperture  110 , through which a particle group will be forced out, to reach the transfer chamber sub casing  106  and settle therein. The removed particles group will exit through outlet  112 , whereas the remaining particles group in the dilution treatment chamber  102  will exit through dilution treatment chamber outlet  114 . Recuperation trays  116  are adjustable similarly to the recuperation trays  70  of the preferred embodiment. 
   Accordingly, the output of the apparatus  10 ′ have many particles groups, with particles group exiting from the passageway outlet  20 ,  102 , and transfer chamber outlet  112 . It is pointed out that the gaseous fluid magnitude output at the nozzles  14  and  104  is adjusted in view of the desired mass of the particles groups. The transfer chamber casing  13 ′ can be used for separating or treating, as described previously for the apparatus  10 . 
   Amongst the various process that can take place with the apparatus ( 10 - 10 ′) of the present invention, it is contemplated to separate, treat, classify (with an initial step of separation), add, vaporize, clean, calibrate, or eliminate group of fines particles from particle streams. Other treatments, such as painting, coating, sandblasting, cleaning, and so forth can be effected with the apparatus  10 - 10 ′ of the present invention. Existing batch processes, such as the injection of gas or chemicals into soft drinks, can be converted to continuous processes using the present invention. 
   The differential pressure in the dilution treatment chamber  12  can be controlled electronically and the apparatus  10  may be combined to magnetic, electrical, ultrasound, electronic, and electromagnetic systems. 
   The apparatus  10 - 10 ′ can be used with mineral, vegetable, biological, or organic aggregates, as well as with fertilizers, treatment or transformation residues, waste, food products, drugs and other pharmaceutical products, powders, agriculture related products, chemical or metallurgical products, compost, plastics and composites, paper, soil and bio-soil, ashes, crushed stone, ceramics, coal. 
   The apparatus  10 - 10 ′ of the present invention is relatively small. Accordingly, it is possible to place the apparatus  10 - 10 ′ at various parts of a process due to these advantageous features. The apparatus  10 - 10 ′ enables large quantities of particle fluid streams to be treated in a relatively limited amount of space, with little wear of material, low energy consumption and, in some embodiments, no moving parts (i.e., depending on the choice of the type of dilution). 
   The apparatus  10 - 10 ′ can be used as part of a multi-step or multi-pass process. For instance, the preferred embodiment includes a settling cavity for the collection of particles. The apparatus  10 - 10 ′ is made of rigid materials, such as metals, polymers, and so forth. It is pointed out that aside from the slide  53 , the apparatus  10 - 10 ′ goes through limited wear. 
   It is within the ambit of the present invention to cover any obvious modifications of the embodiments described herein, provided such modifications fall within the scope of the appended claims.