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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Opposed-flow virtual cyclone for particle concentration

Patent ·
OSTI ID:873422

An opposed-flow virtual cyclone for aerosol collation which can accurately collect, classify, and concentrate (enrich) particles in a specific size range. The opposed-flow virtual cyclone is a variation on the virtual cyclone and has its inherent advantages (no-impact particle separation in a simple geometry), while providing a more robust design for concentrating particles in a flow-through type system. The opposed-flow virtual cyclone consists of two geometrically similar virtual cyclones arranged such that their inlet jets are inwardly directed and symmetrically opposed relative to a plane of symmetry located between the two inlet slits. A top plate bounds both jets on the "top" side of the inlets, while the other or lower wall curves "down" and away from each inlet jet. Each inlet jet will follow the adjacent lower wall as it turns away, and that particles will be transferred away from the wall and towards the symmetry plane by centrifugal action. After turning, the two jets merge smoothly along the symmetry line and flow parallel to it through the throat. Particles are transferred from the main flows, across a dividing streamline, and into a central recirculating region, where particle concentrations become greatly increased relative to the main stream.

Research Organization:
SANDIA CORP
DOE Contract Number:
AC04-94AL85000
Assignee:
Sandia Corporation (Livermore, CA)
Patent Number(s):
US 6156212
Application Number:
09/244,259
OSTI ID:
873422
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English