Patent ID: 8709250

Claim:
An apparatus for aggregating microorganisms in an aqueous suspension, comprising: a. a tube configured to contain a flow of an aqueous suspension comprising microorganisms; b. an anode disposed within the tube and with a length parallel to a concentric longitudinal axis of the tube; c. a cathode disposed within the tube, and with a length parallel to the anode forming a gap between the anode and cathode comprising the concentric longitudinal axis of the tube; d. an electrical power source operably connected to the anode and the cathode for creating an electrical field by providing an electric current that is applied between the anode and cathode and the aqueous suspension; e. at least one transducer coupled to the tube; and f. a generator configured to produce and transmit radio frequency signals, wherein the generator transmits an electrical radio frequency signal to the transducer and the transducer converts the electrical signal into an acoustic signal which vibrates the tube and creates a standing wave with a pressure minima node at a location between the anode and cathode.