Crossflow electroacoustic separations

Experimental data are presented to show how imposed force fields can reduce flux decline during the crossflow microfiltration of aqueous, mineral based suspensions. Both electric and ultrasonic fields, employed individually or in combination, help prevent particle accumulation at the separating surface. This allows fluid removal rates an order of magnitude higher than those obtained in comparable tests without imposed force fields to be achieved. Such process intensification is demonstrated to have the added benefits of lower overall power requirements, reduced pumping requirements and smaller filtration areas