Acoustic Particulate Capture via Standing Waves
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for capturing particulates in gas streams are inefficient, requiring additional equipment and resources for recycling or disposal, and often result in wasted particulates, as they rely on post-treatment processes like cyclones, filters, or electrostatic precipitators.
Innovation Solution
The method involves providing a gas stream with particulates in a channel where acoustic waves with modulating frequencies are used to transport particulates transversely to a quiescent zone, either immobilizing them or promoting agglomeration with electrostatic forces, allowing for more efficient capture and potential recycling without the need for post-treatment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If post-treatment processes like cyclones, filters, or electrostatic precipitators are used to capture particulates, then particulates can be collected, but additional equipment and expense are required for recycling or disposal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical post-treatment systems (cyclones, filters, electrostatic precipitators) with in-line acoustic standing waves that directly immobilize particulates in the gas stream. This substitution eliminates the need for separate collection equipment while achieving effective particulate capture through acoustic radiation pressure forces.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces acoustic standing waves as an intermediary mechanism between the gas stream and particulates. These acoustic waves create acoustic radiation pressure forces that act as a mediator to immobilize and control particulates directly within the process stream, eliminating the need for additional mechanical separation equipment.
2Reliability
If post-treatment processes are used to capture particulates, then particulates can be collected, but additional expense is required for recycling or disposal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces energy-intensive mechanical post-treatment systems with acoustic field-based particulate immobilization. The acoustic standing waves create radiation pressure forces that control particulates without requiring the mechanical energy input needed for cyclones, filters, or electrostatic precipitators, reducing operational costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The acoustic standing waves create self-contained acoustic radiation pressure forces that automatically immobilize particulates in the gas stream without requiring external energy input for operation. The system uses the acoustic field itself to perform the separation function, eliminating the need for additional power-consuming equipment.
3Reliability
If conventional methods are used, then particulates are captured, but the particulates are wasted due to disposal requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies acoustic standing waves to preliminarily immobilize particulates directly in the gas stream before they would normally require disposal. This preliminary control allows for potential recycling or reuse of the captured particulates, preventing waste before the disposal decision point is reached.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables recovery of captured particulates by immobilizing them in可控 positions within the gas stream using acoustic standing waves. This controlled immobilization allows for easy retrieval and potential recycling of the particulates, transforming what would be waste into recoverable material.
4Productivity
If conventional post-treatment is used, then particulates are collected, but the process is inefficient and requires additional equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the particulate capture function directly into the gas stream processing path by using in-line acoustic standing waves. This consolidation eliminates separate post-treatment equipment and integrates the capture mechanism into the existing process flow, improving efficiency while reducing system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical post-treatment systems with a streamlined acoustic field-based approach. The acoustic standing waves provide a simpler, more efficient mechanism for particulate immobilization that eliminates multiple equipment components and reduces overall system structure while maintaining or improving capture efficiency.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enables efficient capture and potential recycling of particulates by utilizing acoustic waves and electrostatic forces to transport and agglomerate them within the gas stream channel, reducing waste and the need for additional treatment processes.
Implementation Method 1
contacting the particulates with one or more acoustic waves having an intensity and a modulating frequency to transport at least a portion of the particulates transversely to the longitudinal axis to a quiescent zone of the channel
Implementation Method 2
contacting the particulates with one or more standing acoustic waves extending transverse to the longitudinal axis to immobilize at least a portion of the particulates
Implementation Method 3
contacting the at least a portion of the particulates with an electrostatic force to (i) transport the at least a portion of the particulates to a quiescent zone of the channel, (ii) promote agglomeration of the at least a portion of the particulates
Data Source
AI summary
Provided herein are methods of capturing particulates. The methods may include contacting particulates in a gas stream with one or more acoustic waves. The one or more acoustic waves may include standing waves or waves of modulating frequency. The methods may include promoting agglomeration of particulates with an electrostatic force. Also provided herein are systems for capturing particulates.