Size selective particle filtering on centimeter scale by frequency sweep type dynamic acoustic field

The objective of the study was to investigate and demonstrate the application of frequency-sweep dynamic acoustic fields for size-selective particle filtration on centimeter scale in a regulated continuous flow. The 3D-printed prototype of the acoustic separator has two inlets and two outlets, whereas the dynamic acoustic field is generated between a transducer, operating in the MHz range, and a reflector. The measured frequency response of the prototype was input to computer models, and simulations were carried out to explore the effects of the sweep period and the flow parameters on the filtration performance. A design-of-experiments study showed that the filtration performance is largely affected by the sweep period and the outlet flow rate. Lab experiments with model particle mixtures demonstrated the size selective filtration performance of the prototype with a total flow rate of 1 L h(-1). A mixture with unknown properties was also used to demonstrate the selective filtration performance of the prototype.