公开(公告)号：US20220274138A1

公开(公告)日：2022-09-01

申请号：US17631556

申请日：2020-07-31

Applicant: Drexel University

Inventor： Maria Mercedes DIAZ ACEVEDO ,  Simge UZUN ,  Nicolas Javier ALVAREZ ,  Giuseppe Rafaello PALMESE

IPC: B07B9/02 ,  D01G5/00 ,  B07B7/06 ,  B07B7/01

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus and method of using the apparatus for separating individual particles from a collection of clumps (or bundles or aggregates) of particles. The apparatus has n number of separation columns, wherein each separation column is connected at an upper portion thereof to at least one fluid connection, and a particle collector. A pressurized fluid flows through the apparatus and 1) suspends a portion of the clumps within the separation column and/or the at least one fluid connection thereby separating at least some clumps into smaller clumps and/or individual particles; and 2) conveys a portion of the clumps and/or individual particles to the next separation column in the series of separation columns, or, in the case of the nth separation column conveys individual particles to the particle collector.