SBIR Phase II: A novel economic, efficient, environmentally benign, and sustainable multi-component separation technology based on acoustophoresis

该小型企业创新研究（SBIR）二期项目重点研究一种经济、高效、可持续、环保的新型超声声光分离技术。目前的技术，如水力旋流器和膜过滤，都存在一些问题，如能源成本高、使用消耗品、污染和微米级颗粒分离效率有限。该技术不产生废物，不使用消耗品，能源成本低，并能有效分离微米级颗粒。超声波驻波用于捕获流体中的二次相颗粒，当施加在颗粒上的声辐射力大于流体阻力和浮力的综合作用。声力对被困颗粒的作用导致颗粒和液滴的聚集和/或聚并。比水重的粒子通过增强重力沉降分离，而较轻的粒子通过增强浮力分离。在第一阶段，成功设计了原型，在流量为2500升/分钟的情况下，1000 ppm乳液的分离效率超过90%。第二阶段的重点是开发一个能够处理4gpm的系统，具有完全集成的定制电子设备，并在现实世界的乳剂上测试系统。该项目更广泛的影响/商业潜力在于，新型声波分离技术为多组分相混合物的能量分离提供了更便宜和更低的成本。它可以替代传统的分离技术，如水力旋流器和其他方法。社会影响是分离技术的发展，这种分离技术是可持续的，对环境无害的，因为它们不产生任何废物或使用消耗品。提高从水中提取微米级油滴的能力，为提高采收率和清理溢油提供了机会，并减少了微米级油滴向环境中的排放。本项目增加了利用声辐射力对大体积流率的科学技术基础。完整的数值模型将与实验结果结合使用。我们将通过在同行评议的期刊和会议上发表我们的研究结果来传播这项工作。该项目为工科本科生提供了几个实习机会，让他们有机会在一家小型初创公司学习和实践工程、创新和创业精神。FloDesign sonic有着悠久的历史，并致力于通过提供实习机会和对高级顶点设计项目的监督，将本科生整合到他们的技术开发中。

This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project focuses on a novel ultrasonic acoustophoretic separation technology that is economic, efficient, sustainable, and environmentally benign. Current technologies, e.g., hydrocyclones, and membrane filtration, suffer from problems, such as high energy costs, use of consumables, fouling, and limited efficiency in separation of micron-sized particles. The proposed technology does not generate waste, does not use consumables, operates at a low energy cost, and provides efficient separation for micron-size particles. Ultrasonic standing waves are used to trap secondary phase particles in a fluid stream, when the acoustic radiation force exerted on the particles is stronger than the combined effect of fluid drag and buoyancy. The action of the acoustic forces on the trapped particles results in agglomeration and/or coalescence of particles and droplets. Heavier than water particles are separated through enhanced gravitational settling, and lighter particles through enhanced buoyancy. During Phase I, successful prototypes were designed with a separation efficiency of more than 90% of a 1000 ppm emulsion at flow rates of 2500 Liters per minute. Phase II focuses on the development of a system capable of processing 4 gpm, with fully integrated customized electronics, and testing of the system on real-world emulsions.The broader impact/commercial potential of this project is that the novel acoustophoretic separation technology provides for a cheaper and lower cost of energy separation of multi- component phase mixtures. It can function as a drop-in replacement for conventional separation technology, such as hydrocyclones and other methods. The societal impact is the development of separation technologies that are sustainable and environmentally benign since they do not generate any waste or use consumables. Enhanced extraction of micron-sized oil droplets from water offer opportunities for enhanced oil recovery and oil-spill cleanup and reduce the emission of micron-sized oil droplets into the environment. This project increases the science and technology behind the use of acoustic radiation force on large volume flow rate. Full numerical models will be created to use in conjunction with experimental results. Dissemination of this work will be done by publishing our results in peer reviewed journals and conferences. This project provides several internships to undergraduate engineering students, an opportunity to learn and practice engineering, innovation, and entrepreneurship at a small start-up company. FloDesign Sonics has a strong history and commitment to integrating undergraduate students in the development of their technology through offering internships and providing supervision for senior capstone design projects.