This project is an experimental and modelling study of a technique for separating suspended particles which differ in their sedimentation speeds. The technique uses a combination of appropriately phased forced oscillatory flow in a horizontal tube with periodic rotation about the tube axis to reverse the vertical motion of the particles. The technique has been successfully used on particles in the 100 micron size range. The new research will concentrate on particles in the technologically much more important size range of 10 micron and smaller. The research also will explore the use of centrifugal fields instead of gravity to extend the basic technique to submicron diameter particles. The proposed technique may fill a useful niche for the size fractionation of small particles for size analysis or for production of high value added powders such as closely sized particles for chromatographic separations and closely sized fibers for fiber reinforced composites.
