CPC C02F 1/385 (2013.01) [C02F 1/36 (2013.01); C02F 1/40 (2013.01); C02F 2101/32 (2013.01); C02F 2301/026 (2013.01)] | 28 Claims |
1. A method for separating oil droplets from water in a mixture thereof, comprising:
flowing said mixture through a first length of pipe having a first exit orifice;
generating first acoustic standing waves inside of the first length of pipe effective for producing acoustic radiation forces having first pressure nodes such that said oil droplets concentrate and coalesce at the first pressure nodes, and wherein the acoustic waves have a first frequency;
flowing the mixture having the concentrated and coalesced oil droplets passing through the first exit orifice through a second length of pipe having a second exit orifice, the second length of pipe being formed into a planar configuration having a radius of curvature and an axis, such that the coalesced oil droplets move to greater distances from the axis as a result of centrifugal forces; and
separating the coalesced oil droplets from the water passing through the second exit orifice.
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