Methods And Apparatus For Acoustic Fiber Fractionation

Patent · Tue Nov 09 00:00:00 EST 1999

OSTI ID:879552

Brodeur, Pierre ^[1]

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1. Smyrna, GA

Methods and apparatus for acoustic fiber fractionation using a plane ultrasonic wave field interacting with water suspended fibers circulating in a channel flow using acoustic radiation forces to separate fibers into two or more fractions based on fiber radius, with applications of the separation concept in the pulp and paper industry. The continuous process relies on the use of a wall-mounted, rectangular cross-section piezoelectric ceramic transducer to selectively deflect flowing fibers as they penetrate the ultrasonic field. The described embodiment uses a transducer frequency of approximately 150 kHz. Depending upon the amount of dissolved gas in water, separation is obtained using a standing or a traveling wave field.

• Research Organization: INST OF PAPER SCIENCE & TECH
• DOE Contract Number: FC07-97ID13578
• Assignee: Institute of Paper Science and Technology, Inc. (Atlanta, GA)
• Patent Number(s): US 5979664
• Application Number: 09/137356
• OSTI ID: 879552
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English