A cavitation reactor having a pulse valve for receiving an input fluid flow and generating a pulsed output flow that is provided to the input of a resonance chamber, such as a tube. The pulse valve uses a shaft with a number of regularly spaced lands to form fluid conduits between an input port and the output port connected to the resonance tube to cause fluid communication between the input and output ports to be regularly opened and closed, thereby producing a pulsed output that drives the formation of resonance waves in the resonance chamber. The shaft is rotated at a suitable frequency to produce cavitation bubbles that collapse in the resonance chamber without damaging the valve shaft.

The invention relates to devices for purifying hydraulic and dielectric fluids (oils and fuels) of dispersed and dissolved water. The unit for dehydrating and degassing hydraulic and dielectric fluids comprises a vacuum tank, an atomizer with a spray member, said atomizer being disposed in the vacuum tank, a hydraulic feed pump connected by a pipe to the atomizer, a hydraulic discharge pump connected by a pipe to the tank, and a vacuum pump connected by a pipe to the tank, wherein the atomizer is arranged vertically in the lower part of the vacuum tank with the spray member oriented upward and consists of: a T fitting with a lower inlet for oil and with a lateral air inlet; a mixing chamber disposed above the T fitting; and a spray member disposed above the mixing chamber. The technical result consists in providing more efficient dehydration and degassing of hydraulic and dielectric fluids, increasing useful volume of the vacuum tank without increasing the dimensions thereof, reducing the dispersivity of fluid sprayed from the atomizer, and simplifying the design.

Acoustophoretic devices and methods for concentrating targeted biological cells in a reduced volume using multi-dimensional acoustic standing waves are disclosed. The methods include flowing a mixture of a host fluid and the biological cells through an acoustophoretic device. The acoustophoretic devices include an inlet, an outlet, and a flow chamber having an ultrasonic transducer-reflector pair. Biological cells, such as T cells, are separated from a host fluid for utilization in allergenic or autologous cell therapies. The disclosed devices and methods are capable of concentrating biological cells to at least 100 times their original cell concentration. The disclosed methods and devices are further capable of decreasing an original feed volume to a final concentrated volume that is less than one percent of the original feed volume.

An example of a method and apparatus to carry out the method are provided. The method involves receiving a process fluid into a cavitation chamber via an inlet. The process fluid is pumped into the cavitation chamber at an inlet pressure, and includes a first component and a second component. The method further involves reducing a pressure of the process fluid in the cavitation chamber as the process fluid moves away from the inlet. The pressure is reduced from the inlet pressure to below a fluid vapor pressure to create micro-bubbles. In addition, the method involves collapsing the micro-bubbles to generate a localized energy release. The localized energy release separates the first component from the second component to form a separated fluid.

An automated process and accompanying apparatus simultaneously separates and measures the flow rate of any multiphase mixture of immiscible fluids. Such separation and measurement can occur in a single vessel, or multiple vessels. Liquid levels, together with a material balance analysis, are utilized to determine constituent liquid flow rates. The vessel(s) can be remotely operated and monitored in real time, while also allowing for automated or manual calibration.

Acoustophoretic devices and methods for concentrating targeted biological cells in a reduced volume using multi-dimensional acoustic standing waves are disclosed. The methods include flowing a mixture of a host fluid and the biological cells through an acoustophoretic device. The acoustophoretic devices include an inlet, an outlet, and a flow chamber having an ultrasonic transducer-reflector pair. Biological cells, such as T cells, are separated from a host fluid for utilization in allergenic or autologous cell therapies. The disclosed devices and methods are capable of concentrating biological cells to at least 100 times their original cell concentration. The disclosed methods and devices are further capable of decreasing an original feed volume to a final concentrated volume that is less than one percent of the original feed volume.

A cavitation reactor having a pulse valve for receiving an input fluid flow and generating a pulsed output flow that is provided to the input of a resonance chamber, such as a tube. The pulse valve uses a shaft with a number of regularly spaced lands to form fluid conduits between an input port and the output port connected to the resonance tube to cause fluid communication between the input and output ports to be regularly opened and closed, thereby producing a pulsed output that drives the formation of resonance waves in the resonance chamber. The shaft is rotated at a suitable frequency to produce cavitation bubbles that collapse in the resonance chamber without damaging the valve shaft.

A system having improved trapping force for acoustophoresis is described where the trapping force is improved by manipulation of the frequency of the ultrasonic transducer. The transducer includes a ceramic crystal. The crystal may be directly exposed to fluid flow. The crystal may be air backed, resulting in a higher Q factor.

Acoustophoretic devices for separating particles from a non-flowing host fluid are disclosed. The devices include a substantially acoustically transparent container and a separation unit, with the container being placed within the separation unit. An ultrasonic transducer in the separation unit creates a planar or multi-dimensional acoustic standing wave within the container, trapping particles disposed within the non-flowing fluid and causing them to coalesce or agglomerate, then separate due to buoyancy or gravity forces.

A surface active compound is supplied into contact with an oilfield production fluid that comprises a mixture of water and oil including water soluble organics. The surface active compound comprises at least one alkoxylate chain and at least one end group attached to each of the at least one alkoxylate chain. The surface active compound is supplied into the oilfield production fluid at a dosage rate that is effective to self-associate at interfaces between the water and oil and inhibit the water soluble organics in the oil from entering the water when the oilfield production fluid is depressurized.