Separation of Microparticles from Suspension Utilizing Ultrasonic Standing Waves in a Piezoelectric Cylinder Actuator

A method of microparticle separation from larger volumes of suspension is proposed. A piezoelectric cylinder is selected as an ultrasonic wave actuator, the diameter and length of which the volume of the suspension to be purified depends. Numerically and experimentally, it is demonstrated that the low-level pressure field nodal circles of ultrasonic radiation standing waves concentrate microparticles at different velocities depending on the fluid viscosity. Numerical mathematical modeling has allowed us to identify the basic dynamic characteristics of the piezoelectric actuator to ensure a more effective process of microparticle separation. An important feature of the proposed method is that the ultrasonic radiation stresses that are directly applicable to cell membranes are inadequate to cause them damage.