Multistage deterministic lateral displacement devices, methods of forming the devices, and methods of separating a fluid mixture including particles having three or more particle sizes generally include a first module and at least one additional module. Each module includes a condenser portion and a separate portion. The condenser portion is generally configured to focus a streamline of all particles to a center of a channel whereas the separator separates the streamline of all particles into two different streamlines. One of the streamlines focuses the largest particles in the fluid mixture along a sidewall of the channel and the other streamline of smaller particles is between opposing sidewalls that define the channel. Each additional module can be used to further separate the largest particles remaining in the fluid mixture from the smaller particles.

An exemplary method includes forming a sacrificial layer along sidewalls of an array of trenches that are indented into a substrate, depositing a fill layer over the sacrificial layer, and then creating an array of gaps between the fill layer and the substrate by removing the sacrificial layer along the sidewalls of the trenches, while maintaining a structural connection between the substrate and the fill layer at the floors of the trenches. The method further includes covering the substrate, the fill layer, and the gaps with a cap layer that seal fluid-tight against the substrate and the fill layer. The method further includes indenting a first reservoir and a second reservoir through the cap layer, and into the substrate and the fill layer, across the lengths of the array of gaps, so that the array of gaps connects the first reservoir in fluid communication with the second reservoir.

An exemplary method includes forming a sacrificial layer along sidewalls of an array of trenches that are indented into a substrate, depositing a fill layer over the sacrificial layer, and then creating an array of gaps between the fill layer and the substrate by removing the sacrificial layer along the sidewalls of the trenches, while maintaining a structural connection between the substrate and the fill layer at the floors of the trenches. The method further includes covering the substrate, the fill layer, and the gaps with a cap layer that seal fluid-tight against the substrate and the fill layer. The method further includes indenting a first reservoir and a second reservoir through the cap layer, and into the substrate and the fill layer, across the lengths of the array of gaps, so that the array of gaps connects the first reservoir in fluid communication with the second reservoir.

An apparatus for removing debris from water in a channel includes a bar screen assembly having a plurality of spaced apart, elongated filter bars arranged in a parallel relationship. A continuous conveyor carries a plurality of rakes. Each rake includes a plurality of spaced-apart tines interdigitated with the filter bars as the rake is moved along the filter bars by the conveyor to remove debris from the bar screen assembly. A conveyor belt retaining system includes at least one guide engaging an upstream side of an inner run of the conveyor and a counterweight connected to the at least one guide for biasing the inner run in a downstream direction.

The present invention relates to an inlet screen adapted to be arranged at the water inlet (8) of a hydropower plant and comprises a plurality of elongated bars (20), said bars (20) being separated by a distance holding means, each elongated bar (20) having in its elongation a proximal portion and a distal portion, and an upstream region and a downstream region, said upstream and downstream regions being at an angle in relation to said proximal and distal portions, at least one of said bars (20) defining a space (36; 36a) extending along at least a portion of the elongation of said bar (20), said bar (20) being provided with an electric heating means (31). In accordance with the invention, said elongated bar has an elongated intermediate portion (38a), said space (36; 36a) being defined in either of the upstream region (35a) and the downstream region (35b), said intermediate portion (38a) extending along the elongation of the bar (20) between the upstream region (35a) and the downstream region (35b), said electric heating means (31) comprising at least one electric heating member (37) being introduced into said space (36; 36a).

A filtration system includes a filtration device having filter slats positioned in a linear array and connected via a supporting structure, the filter slats being parallel to one another and being fixed at an angle relative to the linear array; and pores created by the filter slats; a fluid flow chamber to hold the filtration device such that fluid passes through the filtration device, the fluid flow chamber having a filtration channel with an inlet to receive fluid and an expulsion channel in fluid communication with the filtration channel; a filtrate channel in fluid communication with the filtration channel such that fluid passes through the filtration device between the filtration channel and the filtrate channel, the filtrate channel having a filtrate channel outlet; one or more pressure modulating structures in fluid communication with the fluid flow chamber such that the pressure modulating structure modifies pressure in the fluid flow chamber.

A filtration system includes a filtration device having filter slats positioned in a linear array and connected via a supporting structure, the filter slats being parallel to one another and being fixed at an angle relative to the linear array; and pores created by the filter slats; a fluid flow chamber to hold the filtration device such that fluid passes through the filtration device, the fluid flow chamber having a filtration channel with an inlet to receive fluid and an expulsion channel in fluid communication with the filtration channel; a filtrate channel in fluid communication with the filtration channel such that fluid passes through the filtration device between the filtration channel and the filtrate channel, the filtrate channel having a filtrate channel outlet; one or more pressure modulating structures in fluid communication with the fluid flow chamber such that the pressure modulating structure modifies pressure in the fluid flow chamber.

A rake system and method may include a framework, a chain, an elongated rail, a support arm, and an engagement feature. The elongated rail may be pivotably connected to the framework. The support arm may be connected to the elongated rail at a first point and may be pivotably connected to the framework at a second point. The engagement feature may be connected to the support arm and may be configured to engage the chain. The rake system may be configured to discard debris.

Microscale and/or mesoscale condenser arrays that can facilitate microfluidic separation and/or purification of mesoscale and/or nanoscale particles and methods of operation are described herein. An apparatus comprises a condenser array comprising pillars arranged in a plurality of columns, wherein a pillar gap greater than or equal to about 0.5 micrometers is located between a first pillar of the pillars in a first column of the columns and a second pillar of the plurality of pillars in the first column, and wherein the first pillar is adjacent to the second pillar. The first ratio can be characterized by D.sub.x/D.sub.y is less than or equal to a first defined value, wherein D.sub.x represents a first distance across the lattice in a first direction, wherein D.sub.y represents a second distance across the lattice in a second direction, and wherein the first direction is orthogonal to the second direction.

Microscale and/or mesoscale condenser arrays that can facilitate microfluidic separation and/or purification of mesoscale and/or nanoscale particles and methods of operation are described herein. An apparatus comprises a condenser array comprising pillars arranged in a plurality of columns, wherein a pillar gap greater than or equal to about 0.5 micrometers is located between a first pillar of the pillars in a first column of the columns and a second pillar of the plurality of pillars in the first column, and wherein the first pillar is adjacent to the second pillar. The first ratio can be characterized by D.sub.x/D.sub.y is less than or equal to a first defined value, wherein D.sub.x represents a first distance across the lattice in a first direction, wherein D.sub.y represents a second distance across the lattice in a second direction, and wherein the first direction is orthogonal to the second direction.