Ultrasonic flow-through fractioning of particles of different kinds. 1. Limiting parameters of inorganic particles fractioning

The paper presents a theoretical model promoting estimation of characteristics of an acoustic flow-through filter used for particle fractioning; the model is constructed based on the analysis of joint action of the acoustic radiation force, Stokes force, and gravity on retaining the particles within the ultrasonic field. A case of a vertically installed ultrasonic chamber with ultrasonic field superimposed in parallel to the flow direction has been considered. Simulation with this model showed that it is possible to fractionize natural inorganic particles whose densities vary in the wide range (1500 to 9000 kg·m^-3) and particle sizes differ from the preset values by no more than ± 5 % (in case the solution is supplied from above). Notice that it is potentially possible to fractionize particles not only by size but also by density.