Dynamic equilibrium separation, concentration, and mixing apparatus and methods

Abstract

Particles are separated, concentrated, or mixed within a fluid by means of a fluid-containing cell having a longitudinal axis, a cross-sectional area generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, and at least one particle motivating force directionally interacting with at least one recurrent circulating fluid flow generally aligned with the longitudinal axis within the fluid containing cell.

1 . An apparatus for separating and concentrating particles within a fluid, comprising:
 a cell designed to contain fluids, the cell having a longitudinal axis and a cross-sectional area generally perpendicular to said longitudinal axis, wherein the cell is exposed to at least one particle motivating force directionally interacting with the cell such that the at least one particle motivating force affects at least one recurrent circulating fluid flow generally aligned with said longitudinal axis within said fluid containing cell.   
     
     
         2 . The particle separating and concentrating apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one particle motivating force directionally interacts with the at least one recurrent circulating fluid flow in a tangential orientation relative to the recurrent circulating fluid flow. 
     
     
         3 . The particle separating and concentrating apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one particle motivating force directionally interacts in a tangential orientation near a periphery of the at least one recurrent circulating fluid flow. 
     
     
         4 . The particle separating and concentrating apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one particle motivating force directionally interacts in a tangential orientation within the at least one recurrent circulating fluid flow. 
     
     
         5 . The particle separating and concentrating apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid is a gas. 
     
     
         6 . The particle separating and concentrating apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one particle motivating force is electrochemical. 
     
     
         7 . The particle separating and concentrating apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one particle motivating force is electromechanical. 
     
     
         8 . The particle separating and concentrating apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one particle motivating force is mechanical. 
     
     
         9 . The particle separating and concentrating apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the cross-sectional area is symmetrical. 
     
     
         10 . The particle separating and concentrating apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the cell has a plurality of the recurrent circulating fluid flows generally aligned with the longitudinal axis of the cell. 
     
     
         11 . The particle separating and concentrating apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the particles are charged. 
     
     
         12 . The particle separating and concentrating apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the particles are neutral. 
     
     
         13 - 19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . An apparatus for manipulating particles within a fluid, comprising:
 a cell having a longitudinal axis and a cross-sectional area generally perpendicular to said longitudinal axis,   at least one particle motivating force directionally interacting with the cell, wherein the cell has at least one recurrent circulating fluid flow generally aligned with the longitudinal axis of the cell.   
     
     
         21 . The apparatus of  claim 20 , wherein the particles are mixed. 
     
     
         22 . The apparatus of  claim 20 , wherein the particles are separated. 
     
     
         23 . The apparatus of  claim 20 , wherein the particles are concentrated. 
     
     
         24 . The apparatus of  claim 20 , wherein a plurality of time dependent particle motivating forces directionally interact with the cell. 
     
     
         25 . An apparatus for mixing particles within a fluid, comprising:
 a cell designed to contain fluids, the cell having a longitudinal axis and a cross-sectional area generally perpendicular to said longitudinal axis, wherein the cell is exposed to at least one particle motivating force directionally interacting with the cell such that the at least one particle motivating force affects at least one recurrent circulating fluid flow generally aligned with said longitudinal axis within said fluid containing cell.   
     
     
         26 . The apparatus of  claim 25 , wherein a plurality of time dependent particle motivating forces directionally interact with the cell. 
     
     
         27 . The particle separating and concentrating apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein a plurality of time dependent particle motivating forces directionally interact with the cell. 
     
     
         28 - 29 . (canceled)