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

这个小型企业创新研究(SBIR)第二阶段项目专注于一种经济、高效、可持续和环境友好的新型超声波声致分离技术。目前的技术，如水力旋流器和膜过滤，存在着诸如能源成本高、耗材使用、污染和分离微米级颗粒的效率有限等问题。这项拟议的技术不产生废物，不使用消耗品，以低能源成本运行，并为微米级颗粒提供有效的分离。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时，超声波驻波被用来捕获流体中的第二相颗粒。声波对捕获的颗粒的作用导致颗粒和液滴的团聚和/或聚合。重于水的颗粒通过增强重力沉降而分离，轻颗粒通过增强浮力分离。在第一阶段，成功地设计了样机，在每分钟2500升的流速下，分离效率达到了1000ppm乳状液的90%以上。第二阶段专注于开发一种能够处理4GPM的系统，具有完全集成的定制电子设备，并在真实世界的模拟上对该系统进行测试。该项目的更广泛的影响/商业潜力是，新的声光分离技术为多组分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。其社会影响是开发可持续和对环境无害的分离技术，因为它们不会产生任何废物或使用消耗品。加强从水中提取微米级油滴为加强石油回收和油污清理提供了机会，并减少了微米级油滴向环境的排放。该项目增加了声辐射力在大体积流量上的使用背后的科学技术。将创建完整的数值模型，以便与实验结果结合使用。这项工作的传播将通过在同行评议的期刊和会议上发表我们的成果来完成。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。FloDesign Sonics有着深厚的历史渊源，并致力于通过提供实习机会和为高级顶石设计项目提供监督，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.