Modelling in the design of a flow-through ultrasonic separator

This paper describes the design and testing of a flow-through ultrasonic separation device that allows the concentration of particles within a fluid. The device operates without the use of an acoustically transparent element. Three models are used to examine the behaviour of the cell, dealing with acoustic-particle interaction, electro-acoustic characteristics, and fluid flow. The device is able to concentrate up to 84% of the 60 mu m sand particles in the 'dirty' stream, 13% in the intermediate stream and 3% in the 'clean' stream. Flow rates of up to 201 h(-1) (equating to an inlet velocity of 10(-2) m s(-1)) have been used with an electrical power input of up to 50 W (10 kW m(-1)). (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.