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US5039426A
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Process for continuous particle and polymer separation in split-flow thin cells using flow-dependent lift forces
Assignee: University of Utah
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Filing: 1989-08-21
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Granted: 1991-08-13
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Expires: 2009-08-21
Abstract
Abstract A process for continuous particle and polymer separation comprising injecting a stream of carrier fluid containing the material to be separated into the inlet end of a thin channel, adjusting the flow rate to a sufficiently high level that flow-dependent lift forces the different components to different transverse positions by the time they reach the end of the channel, splitting the outlet flow into at least two substreams by means of physical splitters, adjusting the flowrates of the multiple substreams such that the transverse position of the outlet splitting plane divides the particles into enriched fractions, collecting the enriched or separated components from the emerging outlet streams.
Inventors
- 👤 John C. Giddings
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 23:56
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N30/00; G01N30/0005; B; B01; B01D; B01D21/00; B03; B03B; B03B5/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
162 words
A process for continuously separating components of particulate and macromolecular materials comprising introducing a continuous stream of carrier fluid containing such materials into an inlet end of a separation cell comprising a thin channel whose thin dimension is less than 5 mm and whose breadth and length are at least about 2 cm, adjusting flowrate of said stream through the channel to a sufficiently high level that flow-dependent lift forces drive different components to be separated to different transverse positions or distributions across the thin dimension of the channel by the time they reach an outlet end of the channel, splitting outlet flow from the outlet end along a plane transverse of a coordinate axis extending across the thin dimension of said channel to divide the outlet flow into at least two substreams by means of physical splitters, and adjusting relative flowrates of the substreams by external flow control means such that the materials are divided into enriched fractions in the substreams.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
162 words
A process for continuously separating components of particulate and macromolecular materials comprising introducing a continuous stream of carrier fluid containing such materials into an inlet end of a separation cell comprising a thin channel whose thin dimension is less than 5 mm and whose breadth and length are at least about 2 cm, adjusting flowrate of said stream through the channel to a sufficiently high level that flow-dependent lift forces drive different components to be separated to different transverse positions or distributions across the thin dimension of the channel by the time they reach an outlet end of the channel, splitting outlet flow from the outlet end along a plane transverse of a coordinate axis extending across the thin dimension of said channel to divide the outlet flow into at least two substreams by means of physical splitters, and adjusting relative flowrates of the substreams by external flow control means such that the materials are divided into enriched fractions in the substreams.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
75 words
A process as in claim 1 wherein a physical splitter is used to divide the inlet end of the channel into first and second inlet passages on opposite sides of a plane transverse of a coordinate axis extending across the thin dimension of said channel, with the stream containing the material to be separated being introduced in the first inlet passage and another stream not containing the material being introduced into the second inlet passage.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
58 words
A process as in claim 1 wherein an externally controlled driving force is applied across the thin dimension of the channel, said driving force acting to drive the components transversely across the thin dimension of the channel to assist the lift forces in driving the different components to different transverse positions across the thin dimension of the channel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
71 words
A process as in claim 3 wherein a physical splitter is used to divide the inlet end of the channel into first and second inlet passages along a plane transverse of a coordinate axis extending across the thin dimension of said channel, with the stream containing the material to be separated being introduced in the first passage and another stream not containing the material being introduced into the second inlet passage.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
A process as in claims 1, 2, 3, or 4 wherein there are at least two splitters for splitting the outlet flow into at least three substreams to provide for the separation of at least three or more fractions.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
A process as in claims 1, 2, 3, or 4 wherein at least one of the substreams emerging from said channel are fed to a subsequent channel similar to said channel where further fractionation takes place.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
A process as in claims 1, 2, 3 or 4 wherein the cell thickness is less than 2 mm.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
42 words
A process as in claims 1, 2, 3 or 4 wherein the external driving force consists of a member of the group consisting of sedimentation force, an electrical force, a dielectrical force, a magnetic force, a temperature gradient force, and combinations thereof.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
A process as in claims 1, 2, 3 or 4 wherein the driving force consists of the cross flow of fluid transversely across the separation cell.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
61 words
A process as in claims 1, 2, 3, or 4 wherein the particles are continuously distributed with respect to size and in which the splitters at the outlet end of the channel are positioned to split the outlet flow in such a way that each substream has material having a designated size range different from that found in any other substream.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
A process as in claims 1, 2, 3 or 4 wherein the material to be separated consists of rigid particles.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
A process as in claims 1, 2, 3 or 4 wherein the material to be separated consists at least in part of deformable particles.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
A process as in claims 1, 2, 3 or 4 wherein the material to be separated consists of biological cells.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
A process as in claims 1, 2, 3 or 4 wherein the material to be separated consists of different macromolecular components.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
26 words
A process as in claims 1, 2, 3 or 4 wherein the material to be separated consists of a mixture of rigid particles and deformable particles.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
35 words
A process as in claims 1, 2, 3 or 4 wherein at least one of the components to be separated does not approach its equilibrium hyperlayer position prior to stream splitting at the outlet end.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-08-12 | 1995-02-11 | 1995-08-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-08-12 | 1999-02-11 | 1999-08-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-08-12 | 2003-02-11 | 2003-08-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |