Patent ID: 6840383

Claim:
A particle separating apparatus for separating a stock solution containing particles into a concentrated solution having a high content of particles and a clear solution having a low content of particles, comprising; an outer tube formed of a tubular member; a pair of lids for closing openings at the opposite ends of the outer tube; a stock solution supplier for supplying the stock solution into the outer tube; a bubble generator for generating air bubbles to promote the separation of particles; a particle separating unit for moving the air bubbles toward its center according to a static pressure difference created in its radial directions by swirling the stock solution supplied from the stock solution supplier to generate a gas-liquid mixed swirl and concentrating the particles on one side of the longitudinal direction of the gas-liquid mixed swirl by the gas-liquid mixed swirl to separate the stock solution into a concentrated solution and a clear solution; a concentrated solution discharge passage for discharging the concentrated solution to the outside; and a clear solution guide passage for guiding the clear solution produced to the outside; wherein the concentrated solution discharge passage and the stock solution supplier are connected with the outer tube in positions spaced apart along the longitudinal direction of the outer tube, and the outer diameter of the connected end of the stock solution supplier is smaller than that of the connected end of the concentrated solution discharge passage and said outer tube has a straight inner wall that is configured such that the outer tube is widened towards its top.