Device and Method for Chemo-Physical Modification of Particles of a Suspension

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This invention describes a device and method for efficiently breaking down (disintegrating or comminuting) particles suspended in a fluid using ultrasound energy. The device consists of a flow channel for the suspension, pumps to control the speed and direction of flow, and one or more ultrasonic sources to generate high-energy sound fields in a specific zone inside the channel. By finely controlling the flow velocity and exposing the suspension to inertial forces (gravity or centrifugal force), the device can selectively and effectively treat particular particle populations. Additionally, chemical modification (e.g., using plasma sources) can be combined with ultrasound for enhanced or specialized particle treatment.

Use CasesContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Homogenization of particle size in suspensions for material processing.
• Selective separation or removal of unwanted or hazardous particles based on size, density, or composition.
• Preparation of fine dispersions or emulsions in food, pharmaceutical, or cosmetic production.
• Wastewater treatment, including breaking down and removing contaminants or organic matter.
• Disinfection or sterilization of slurries by destroying microbes or pathogens.
• Agricultural applications such as processing digestates or manure for improved handling or nutrient release.
• Recycling or recovery of materials from mixed solid-liquid suspensions.

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Precise control of particle treatment based on flow, ultrasonic energy, and inertial forces, resulting in uniform or tailored particle distributions.
• Higher energy efficiency and effectiveness due to prolonged and selectively adjustable exposure of particles to ultrasound and/or plasma.
• Capability to treat a broad range of suspensions and particle types (organic or inorganic, solid or soft).
• Flexibility to operate in serial or parallel modes for scaling to different treatment volumes.
• Ability to integrate chemical (plasma) and physical (ultrasound) processes, achieving synergistic effects like more complete disintegration or sterilization.
• Easy removal or further processing of settled or treated particles through adjustable settling and recirculation features.
• Automated or programmable operation for process optimization and reduced labor.

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Inventors & Applicants

Patent Abstract

The invention relates to a device (1) for disintegrating particles (3) of a suspension with ultrasonic sound. The device (1) comprises a channel (10) for a suspension, wherein the channel (10) comprises a particle processing portion (12). Furthermore, the device (1) comprises at least one pump (20) configured and arranged to adjust a flow velocity of the suspension in the channel (10), and at least one ultrasonic sound source (30), which is arranged such at the channel that an ultrasonic field generated by the ultrasonic sound source (30) extends at least in the particle-processing portion (12) inside the channel (10). The device (1) is configured such that particles (3) of the suspension are arrangeable in a predefined spatial particle distribution in the particle-processing portion (12) of the channel (10) by adjusting the flow velocity of the suspension with respect to an inertial force (40) acting on the suspension, wherein the inertial force (40) is gravity (42) or a centrifugal force (44).