Method and device for separating and/or cleaning aerosols and solid material particles and fibers from gases as well as solid material particles and fibers from liquid materials by acoustophoresis

Abstract

The invention relates to an aggregating device for separating and/or cleaning aerosols and solid material particles and fibers from gas as well as solid material particles and fibers from liquid materials by acoustophoresis, comprising I) conveying means for receiving and/or conveying an aerosol and/or a liquid material in the conveying direction into the aggregating device, II) at least one exciter for generating an acoustic sound wave which impinges upon the aerosol and/or the liquid material, and III) a mechanism for separating a first material part containing condensed liquids and/or aggregated solid materials from the aerosol and/or the liquid material, and the use thereof for carrying out the acoustophoric method.

Claims

1. An aggregating device for separation and/or purification of aerosols and solid material particles from gases, comprising: (a) an aggregating tube having an inlet at a front end, an outlet at a rear end, and a round cross section, the tube extending concentrically around an axis, said aggregating tube forming aggregated solid material particles; (b) a conveying means conveying an aerosol in a conveying direction into the front end of the tube, wherein the aerosol comprises the solid material particles and gases; (c) a plurality of mutually corresponding exciters arranged opposite to each other and located within the aggregating tube, each exciter comprising a piezoelectric element, each pair of mutually corresponding exciters generating a standing acoustic sound wave at a right angle to the conveying direction, wherein: (i) the solid material particles move towards a plurality of pressure nodes by a force of the standing acoustic sound waves and form aggregated solid material particles in a space around the plurality of pressure nodes; and (ii) the gases move toward a plurality of pressure antinodes by the force of the standing acoustic waves; (d) a filter separating the aggregated solid material particles from the gases; and (e) an ultra-violet (UV) radiator fixedly mounted relative to the container heating the aggregated solid material particles in the aggregating tube; wherein: each pair of mutually corresponding exciters generates a standing acoustic sound wave having a multiple pressure nodes and multiple pressure antinodes between the pair of mutually corresponding exciters; and a particle passing between the pair of mutually corresponding exciters moves toward one of the multiple pressure nodes.

2. The aggregating device according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of acoustic sound waves emitted by the plurality of corresponding exciters is dynamically digitally controllable, using a digital controller, via a difference in phase of the standing acoustic sound waves, such that the plurality of pressure nodes and the plurality of pressure antinodes is moveable in a controlled manner to a plurality of preselected locations.

3. The aggregating device according to claim 2, further comprising a container discharge.

4. The aggregating device according to claim 2, wherein control of the plurality of pressure nodes and the plurality of pressure antinodes is performed through a combination of Boolean logic gates.

5. The aggregating device according to claim 1, further comprising a container discharge.

6. The aggregating device according to claim 1, wherein the standing acoustic sound waves are dynamically controlled digitally via a difference in phase of the standing acoustic sound waves, such that the plurality of pressure nodes and the plurality of pressure antinodes are moveable in a controlled manner to a plurality of preselected locations.

7. The aggregating device according to claim 6, wherein control of the plurality of pressure nodes and the plurality of pressure antinodes is performed by using a combination of Boolean logic gates.

8. The aggregating device according to claim 1, wherein the standing acoustic sound waves have a frequency and/or volume outside a hearing range of humans and animals.

9. The aggregating device according to claim 1, wherein the standing acoustic waves are stationary ultrasonic waves.

10. The aggregating device according to claim 1, further comprising a radiator.

11. The aggregating device according to claim 10, further comprising a reflector arranged behind and opposite to the radiator.

12. The aggregating device according to claim 10, wherein the tube comprises window for the radiator.

13. The aggregating device according to claim 1, wherein the aggregating tube has a surface, the surface being selected from the group consisting of a renewable surface, a structured surface, a smooth surface, a rough surface, a biocidal surface, an absorbent surface and combinations thereof.

14. The aggregating device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of exciters is arranged in a plurality of rows and separated from each other by a predetermined distance, each exciter forming a pair with a mutually corresponding exciter in a different row.

15. A closed gas cycle, comprising: (a) the aggregating device according to claim 1; (b) a heat recovery device; and (c) a downstream and/or an upstream air filter.

16. The closed gas cycle according to claim 15, wherein the downstream and/or upstream air filter is a HEPA filter.

17. A method of using an aggregating device, comprising: (a) providing the aggregating device according to claim 1; and (b) using the aggregating device for the disposal of biogas plant waste, surface coating agents, paint residues, effluent and/or aerosols containing paints, varnishes, sealants and/or fiber material, for the destruction of microorganisms, in particular bacteria, for purifying air at home, in air conditioning, in medical ventilation, in closed vehicles, especially automobiles, trucks, buses, trains, ships and aircraft, as well as in cell cultures.

18. A method for the separation and/or purification of aerosols and solid material particles from gases, comprising: (a) providing an aerosol having solid material particles and gases; (b) providing a tube container having an inlet at a front end, an outlet at a rear end, and a round cross section, the tube extending concentrically around an axis; (c) receiving the aerosol in a conveying direction into the inlet of the tube; (d) acting upon the aerosol by a plurality of standing acoustic sound wave, such that the solid material particles move away from the gases, wherein the solid material particles move toward a plurality of pressure nodes by a force of the standing acoustic sound waves, and wherein the gases move toward a plurality of pressure antinodes by the force of the standing acoustic sound waves; (e) condensing the solid material particles by the force of the plurality of the standing acoustic sound waves, (f) using an ultra-violet (UV) heating device to heat the solid material particles so as to kill bacteria, biofilms and viruses; and (g) separating the solid material particles from the gases of the aerosol.

19. A painting device comprising the aggregating device according to claim 1.

Description

(1) The invention will be explained with reference to the figures with reference to embodiments, wherein further advantages of the invention will become apparent.

(2) FIG. 1 shows in (a) a first embodiment of an aggregating device, in (b) a sectional view AA of the aggregating device in (a), in (c) a sectional view of a further embodiment of an aggregating device, and in (d) and (e), respective further sectional view of the aggregating device of (a);

(3) FIG. 2 shows in (a) and (b) respectively a detail of further embodiments of an aggregating device;

(4) FIGS. 3 and 4 show respectively a further embodiment of an aggregating device;

(5) FIG. 5 shows in (a)-(d), respectively, attachment of a means for generating a sound wave to a container wall of an aggregating device;

(6) FIG. 6 shows a further embodiment of an aggregating device and a cross section through a paint shop.

(7) FIG. 7 shows a yet further embodiment of an aggregating device and a work piece to which an aerosol is applied.

(8) In FIGS. 1 to 7, the reference numerals have the following meaning: 1 aggregating device 10 painting lines 101 front end 102 rear end 11 depictions of receipt of liquid material or aerosol, tube, tank 110 container interior 111 tank inlet 112 container discharge 113 surface 114 palm 115 wall 116 filler pipe 117 ground 118 retaining plate 119 recess 12 means for separating 121 branch inlet 122 branch outlet 13 receptacle 14 collection container for liquids and/or solids 15 spot and reflector (UV, IR, microwave) 16 workpiece 17 robots, spray arms, paint application 181 floor grilles 182 ceiling diffusers 19 conveyor belt, assembly line 2 liquid material, aerosol 21 first material part containing aggregated liquids and/or solids 211 liquids and/or solids 22 second material part 23 lubricating film 24 conveying fluid, sheet layer 3 exciters for generating a sound wave 31, 32 first and second exciter to create a stationary wave 4 conveying direction of liquid material 2 or of aerosol 2 5 acoustic sound wave, stationary wave 51 pressure nodes 52 pressure antinode 53 corner 54 propagation direction 7 axle, tank center 71, 72, 73 first, second and third spatial directions 74 circumferential direction 77 line 8 conveyor, Dyson, conveyor belt 81 conveyor belt surface 82 inclination 83 conveying side 84 upper circulation 85 lower circulation 9 return pan 91 fastener, screw, rivet 92 nut a distance d1 diameter of the delivery chamber H height

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

(9) Aggregating Devices 1 and Methods with Liquid Materials 2

(10) FIG. 1a shows a first embodiment of an aggregating device 1. The aggregating device 1 comprises a container 11 for receiving and for conveying a liquid material 2 (see FIG. 1(d), (e)). The container 11 extends in an extension direction 71. The container 11 has here a round cross section and extends concentrically to an axis. However, also containers 11 with a different cross section, for example, a rectangular or square cross section can be adopted. The container 11 is formed as a hollow cylinder and has an inner space 110 (see FIG. 1(b), (c)).

(11) In order to introduce the liquid material 2, the container 11 has an inlet 111, which is provided in a conveying direction 4 at a front end 102 of the container. The liquid material 2 is conveyed by means of an additional conveying means 8 in the conveying direction 4 through the container 11. As conveying means 8, a Dyson is shown schematically here.

(12) At a rear end 101 in the conveying direction 4, the aggregating device 1 has a means 12 for separating a first material part 21 (see FIG. 1(d), (e)) from the liquid material 2. The means for separating 12 is formed by a tubular container branch. The container branch 12 has a branch outlet 122 for the first material part 21.

(13) For discharging the liquid material 2, the container 11 has a container outlet 112. The container outlet 112 is aligned here, only for clarity, transversely to the extension direction 71.

(14) On the container 11 a plurality of exciters 3 are provided for generating an acoustic sound wave 5 (see FIG. 1(b)-(e)). These are arranged in the direction of extension 71 in rows (not labeled) and spaced from each other by a distance a. In a circumferential direction 74 to the axis 7, the rows are arranged in an evenly distributed manner. In this case, the exciter 3 adjacent rows are offset in the extension direction 3 with respect to each other.

(15) In order to generate a stationary sound wave 5, preferably an ultrasonic wave, by wave interference, two mutually corresponding exciters 3 are respectively arranged opposite one another for generating a sound wave 5 of the same frequency, shape and amplitude. The mutually corresponding exciters 3 are designed as speakers and have a piezoelectric element (not shown) for generating the sound wave 5. Alternatively, it is preferred that one of the two exciters 3 be designed as a speaker, and the other as a reflector.

(16) FIG. 1(b) shows a sectional view A-A of the aggregating device in (a). The cross section of the container 11 is visible. The exciters 3 are arranged on a surface 113 of the container 11. They each generate a sound wave 5 of the same frequency, shape and amplitude. Since each two exciters 3 are formed corresponding to one another and arranged opposite each other, the stationary sound wave 5 is generated by interference. The stationary sound waves 5 generated by two mutually corresponding exciters 3 are shown here by dashed lines. Their shape is chosen as sinusoidal only as an example.

(17) The stationary sound waves 5 here have a pressure node 51 in the center of the container 11, and a respective pressure antinode 52 on an inner surface 114 of the container 11. The sound waves 5 therefore oscillate at their fundamental frequency. Also stationary waves 5, oscillating at their fundamental frequency, can be generated with the pressure antinode 52 disposed in the center 7 of the container 11, and the pressure node 51 arranged on the inner surface 114. In principle, sound waves 5 oscillating at a harmonic frequency can also be used.

(18) In a liquid material 2, which flows through the inner space 110 of the container 11, and is thereby acted upon by the stationary waves 5, solid material particles and fibers 211 (see FIG. 1(d), (e)) contained in the liquid material 2, move in the pressure nodes 51 or in the pressure antinode 52. Shown here is by way of example a liquid material 2, whose solid material particles and fibers 211 thereby accumulate in a region (not labeled) around the pressure node 51. Through the concentration of the solid material particles and fibers 211, a liquid contained in the liquid material 2 (not labeled) is pressed towards the outside, i.e. the container inner surface 114. Therefore, a first material part 21 with aggregated solid material particles and fibers 211 is formed along the region extending concentrically around the axis 7. The remaining liquid material 2, also referred to below as the second material part 22, contains correspondingly less solid material particles and fibers 211. In principle, however, it is also possible here to use sound waves 5 with which the liquid of the liquid material 2 is pressed inwards, so that the solid material particles and fibers 211 move toward the container inner surface 114.

(19) The region along which the first material part 21 accumulates extends approximately concentrically around a line 77 connecting the pressure nodes 51. Since the liquid material 2 is conveyed in the conveying direction 4, while it is acted upon by the sound wave 5, the first material part 21 is conveyed in the conveying direction 4. In addition, the sound waves 5 propagate at right angles 53 to the conveying direction 4. As a result, the line 77 extends in the conveying direction 4.

(20) In contrast to the aggregating device 1 of FIGS. 1(a) and (b), in which exciters 3 are arranged distributed around the container 11 in the circumferential direction 74, the aggregating device 1 with the cross section of FIG. 1(c) has only two opposite rows with mutually corresponding exciters 3 for generating the sound waves 5.

(21) FIG. 1(d) shows a sectional view of the aggregating device 1 in (a), which is shown rotated around the axis 7 by a right rotation angle. The accumulation of the solid material particles and fibers 211 in the region around the axis 7 is shown schematically. The liquid material 2 is conveyed in the conveying direction 4 through the container 11. The solid material particles and fibers 211 are thereby acted upon by the stationary waves 5. It can be seen that the stationary waves 5 propagate in a propagation direction 54 transversely to the conveying direction 4.

(22) With the force of the sound waves 5, the solid material particles and fibers 211 are moved by applying the sound waves 5 to the pressure node 51 and accumulate there. In this case, the liquid contained in the liquid material 2 is pressed outwards. In the concentric region around the line 77, the first material part 21 with the concentrated, aggregated solid material particles and fibers 211 is formed. Since the container 11 has a circular cross section and the exciters 3 are arranged concentrically about the axis 7, the line 77 connecting the pressure nodes 51 extends along the axis 7.

(23) In order to separate the first material part 21 from the liquid material 2, the container branch 12 extends into the container 11. It extends concentrically to the axis 7. The container branch 12 has a branch inlet 121, which is arranged at the center of the container 11. A diameter (not labeled) of the container branch 12 is selected to be sufficiently large so that the first material part 21 is received by the branch 12 through the branch inlet 121.

(24) Exciters 3 are also provided on the container branch 12. These are here arranged in the limiting wall 115 of the container branch 12. As a result, the solid material particles and fibers 211 are further pressed into the pressure node 51 and liquid is forced outwards. The result is a sliding film 23, through which the first material part 21, despite its viscous consistency, can be conveyed through the container branch 12, without the latter being clogged.

(25) In the embodiment of the aggregating device 1 of FIG. 1(e), sound waves 5 are generated with the exciters 3 arranged on the surface 113 of the container 11, whose pressure node 51 is arranged on the inner surface 114 of the container 11, and the pressure antinode 52 in the middle of the container 11. As a result, the liquid contained in the liquid material 2 is pressed into the middle 7 and the solid material particles and fibers 211 are pressed outwards toward the container inner surface 114.

(26) Therefore, with the container branch 12, the second, liquid material part 22 is hereby skimmed off in the middle of the container 11. As a consequence, no further exciters 3 are provided in or on the container branch 12.

(27) In order to be able to convey the liquid material 2 despite its paste-like consistency without clogging through the container 11, it is possible to introduce it in advance into a delivery fluid 24. Water can be, for example, a suitable conveying fluid 24, depending on the liquid material 2.

(28) Introduction of the liquid material 2 into the conveying fluid 24 is shown schematically in FIG. 2(a). The container 11 is flowed through in the conveying direction 4 by the conveying fluid 24. The liquid material 2 is introduced centrally through a filler neck 116 in the container 11. As a result, the delivery fluid 24 surrounds the liquid material 2.

(29) In the embodiment of FIG. 2(b), only the branch drain 122 is provided as a means for separating. The exciters 3 are positioned so that the stationary sound waves 5 generated with them have a pressure node 51, which waves are arranged in a spatial direction 72 transversely to the conveying direction 4 below the branch outlet 122. The line 77, around which the first material part 21 accumulates, is therefore located below the branch outlet 122.

(30) FIG. 3 shows a further embodiment of an aggregating device 1. As a means for receiving and/or conveying the liquid material 2, a container 11, namely a tank, is provided here. The tank 11 has a container inlet 111 at the front end 101 of the aggregating device 1 and a container outlet 112 at the rear end 102 of the aggregating device 1. The container inlet 111 and the container outlet 112 are arranged approximately at the same height H of the tank 11.

(31) Spaced exciters 3 are arranged in an extension direction 71 of the tank 11. The exciters 3 are arranged in rows in a second spatial direction 72 transversely to the direction of extension 71 below and above the tank 11. The exciters 3 above the tank 11 are placed so that a liquid level 25 of the liquid material 2 extends below the exciter 3. An exciter 3, 31 above the tank 11 and an exciter 3, 32 below the tank 11 are respectively formed corresponding to each other and produce a stationary sound wave 5. The sound waves 5 propagate in the tank 11 and have a pressure antinode 52 which extends along line 77. The line 77 is arranged in the second spatial direction 72 below the height H of the container inlet 111 and the container outlet 112.

(32) The solid material particles and fibers 211 of the liquid material 22 conveyed into the tank 11 are moved to the pressure nodes 51 by means of the force of the sound waves 5. Since the pressure nodes 51 of the exciter 3 arranged in the second spatial direction 72 above the line 77 are positioned outside the liquid material 2, the solid material particles and fibers 211 accumulate here on the bottom 17 of the tank 11 and form the first material part 21.

(33) As a means for separating 12, a branch outlet 122 is arranged close to the ground, through which the first material part 21 is conveyed in the conveying direction 4 from the tank 11. The second material part 22 flows through the container outlet 112 arranged along height H. In this embodiment of the aggregating device 1, the liquid pressure is used to convey the liquid material 2. In addition, a further conveying means 8, for example a liquid multiplier, can be provided.

(34) In the aggregating device of FIG. 4 a tank is also provided as a container 11 for receiving and/or conveying the liquid material 2. However, the liquid material 2 charged with the sound wave 5 is also conveyed here by means of a conveyor belt 8. The conveyor belt 8 dips with a lower return end 85 into the tank 11 and the liquid material 2. It has a conveyor belt surface 81 which has an inclination 82 relative to the horizontal plane (not labeled). On a conveying line 83 of the conveyor belt 8, the conveyor belt surface 81 is transported in a conveying direction 4.

(35) The exciters 3 are arranged in rows below and above the conveyor belt surface 81. An exciter 3, 31 below and an exciter 3, 32 above the conveyor belt surface 81 each act in a corresponding manner to one another and produce a stationary sound wave 5.

(36) The exciters 3 are placed so that a pressure node 51 forms on or below the conveyor belt surface 81. At this pressure node 51, the solid material particles and fibers 211 move. The first material part 21 therefore accumulates on the conveyor belt surface 81. When pressure nodes 51 are arranged below the conveyor belt surface 81, the solid material particles and fibers 211 are pressed onto the conveyor belt 8. It is dropped at an upper return end 84 of the conveyor belt 8 into a collecting container 13. The conveyor belt 8 is therefore also used here as a means 12 for separating the first material part 21 from the liquid material 2.

(37) The liquid can flow off laterally or in the middle of the conveyor belt 8 and partially evaporated. For the evaporating liquid material 2, a return 9 is provided, on which it condenses. The return 9 is arranged obliquely with respect to the horizontal, so that the evaporated liquid is returned to the tank 11 back. But it can also be derived separately.

(38) Such a conveyor belt 8 with the exciters 3 can also be used separately for solidifying and drying solid material particles and fibers 211. Depending on the liquid level of the liquid material, it may form the means for receiving and/or conveying the liquid material. In addition, containers for the liquid material, the first and/or the second material part may be provided. It is therefore suitable, for example, for drying and solidifying paper, drying and felting textiles, drying and solidifying sewage sludge and/or kitchen waste.

(39) FIGS. 5(a)-(d) show, by way of example and schematically, the attachment of exciters 3 for generating a sound wave 5 on a container wall 15. In FIGS. 5(a) and (b), the container walls show a recess 119.

(40) In FIG. 5(a), the exciter 3 on the surface 113 of the container wall 115 is aligned with the recess 119 by means of an attached holding plate 118. The latter is fixed with fastening means 91 such as rivets or screws in the container wall 15. The holding plate 118 has a receptacle (not labeled) for the exciter 3, which surrounds it. It is elastically designed to seal the recess 119 on the outside.

(41) In FIG. 5 (b), the exciter 3 is arranged in the recess 119. For this purpose, a plurality of holding plates 118 are provided, which are arranged on the inner surface 114 and on the surface 113 of the container wall 115. Also in this case, the holding plates 118 are elastically formed to seal the container 11. For fastening the retaining plates 118, screws with nuts 92 are provided here as fastening means 91.

(42) The attachment of the exciter 3 in FIG. 5(c) corresponds to that in FIG. 5(a), but no recess is provided in the container wall. Instead, the exciter is arranged flat on the surface. This has the advantage that it does not come into contact with the liquid material 2.

(43) In FIG. 5 (d), the exciter 3 is arranged flat on the inner surface 113 of the container wall 115. Holding plates 118 are also provided, which hold the exciter 3 to the container wall 115. Here as well, rivets 91 are provided for attachment.

(44) However, the exciters 3 can also be glued, riveted or stapled to the container wall 15, in particular to its surface 13. It is also possible to mount the exciters 3 in the container interior 110.

(45) FIG. 6 shows a further embodiment of an aggregating device 1 according to the invention. This aggregating device 1 has an inner tube as a container 11 for transporting the liquid material 2. In addition, it has an outer tube as a collecting container 13. The inner tube 11 has a plurality of outlet openings as a branch outlet 122, which are provided for discharging the liquid. In the following, the terms container 11 and inner tube, collecting container 13 and outer tube and outlet opening and branch outlet 122 will be used synonymously.

(46) The liquid material 2 is introduced into the inner tube 11 at the front end 101.

(47) The exciters 3 are arranged on the inner tube 11. They act on the liquid material 2 with the acoustic sound waves 5. As a result, the solid material particles and fibers 211 are moved by means of the force of the sound waves 5 to the pressure nodes 51 or the pressure antinodes 52. In this case, the liquid surrounding it is displaced into the second material part 22.

(48) The acoustic sound waves 5 are provided here in such a way that the solid material particles and fibers 211 move into the inner tube center 7. For this purpose, different harmonics are used here as acoustic sound waves 5. The number of pressure nodes 51 and antinodes 52 of the harmonics decreases however in the conveying direction 4. As a result, the solid material particles and fibers 211 are focused with the harmonics in the inner tube center 7.

(49) The first material part 21 containing aggregated solid material particles and fibers 211 is therefore further conveyed by the inner tube 11. The second material part 22, mainly containing the liquid, however, can be discharged through the outlet openings 122 in the outer tube 13.

(50) The inner tube 11 tapers in the conveying direction 4. An outer diameter (not labeled) of the outer tube 13, however, is constant. As a result, the total cross section, in which the liquid material 2 is transported, is maintained. However, use of an inner tube 11 with constant diameter d1 is also preferred.

(51) In order to improve the transport of the first material part 21 and/or of the second material part 22 and/or to create a phase separation line, a delivery fluid 24 can additionally be used in the inner tube 11 and/or in the outer tube 13.

(52) Aggregating Devices 1 and Methods with Aerosols 2

(53) FIG. 1a shows a first embodiment of an aggregating device 1. The aggregating device 1 comprises a container 11 (see FIG. 1(d), (e)) for receiving and for conveying an aerosol 2. The container 11 extends in an extension direction 71. The container 11 has here a circular cross section and extends concentrically to an axis 7. However, also containers 11 with a different cross section, for example with a rectangular or square cross section, can be used. The container 11 is formed as a hollow cylinder and has an inner space 110 (see FIG. 1(b), (c)).

(54) In order to introduce the aerosol 2, the container 11 has an inlet 111, which is provided in a conveying direction 4 at a front end 102 of the container. The aerosol 2 is conveyed by means of an additional conveying means 8 in the conveying direction 4 through the container 11. As conveying means 8, a Dyson is shown schematically here.

(55) At a rear end 101 in the conveying direction 4, the aggregating device 1 has a means 12 for separating a first material part 21 (see FIG. 1(d), (e)) of the aerosol 2 on. The means for separating 12 is formed by a tubular container branch. The container branch 12 has a branch outlet 122 for the first material part 21.

(56) For discharging the aerosol 2, the container 11 has a container outlet 112. The container outlet 1 12 is aligned here transversely to the extension direction 71 for clarity only.

(57) On the container 11 a plurality of exciters 3 for generating an acoustic sound wave 5 (see FIG. 1(b)-(e)) are provided. These are arranged in the direction of extension 71 in rows (not labeled) and spaced from each other by a distance a. In a circumferential direction 74 to the axis 7, the rows are arranged in an evenly distributed manner. In this case, the exciter 3 adjacent rows are offset in the extension direction 3 with respect to each other.

(58) In order to generate a stationary sound wave 5, preferably an ultrasonic wave, by wave interference, two mutually corresponding exciters 3 are respectively arranged opposite one another for generating a sound wave 5 of the same frequency, shape and amplitude. The mutually corresponding exciters 3 are designed as speakers and have a piezoelectric element (not shown) for generating the sound wave 5. Alternatively, it is preferred that one of the two exciters 3 be designed as a speaker, and the other as a reflector.

(59) FIG. 1(b) shows a sectional view A-A of the aggregating apparatus of (a). The cross section of the container 11 is visible. The exciters 3 are arranged on a surface 113 of the container 11. They each generate the sound wave 5 of the same frequency, shape and amplitude. Since each two exciters 3 are formed corresponding to one another and arranged opposite each other, the stationary sound wave 5 is generated by interference. The stationary sound waves 5 generated by two mutually corresponding exciters 3 are shown here by dashed lines. Their shape is chosen as sinusoidal only as an example.

(60) The stationary sound waves 5 here have a pressure node 51 in the center of the container 11, and a respective pressure antinode 52 on an inner surface 114 of the container 11. The sound waves 5 therefore oscillate at their fundamental frequency. Also stationary waves 5, oscillating at their fundamental frequency, can be generated with the pressure antinode 52 disposed in the center 7 of the container 11, and the pressure node 51 arranged on the inner surface 114. In principle, sound waves 5 oscillating at a harmonic frequency can also be used.

(61) In an aerosol 2, which flows through the inner space 110 of the container 11, and is thereby acted upon by the stationary waves 5, solid material particles and fibers 211 (see FIG. 1(d), (e)) contained in the aerosol 2, move in the pressure nodes 51 or in the pressure antinode 52. Shown here is by way of example an aerosol 2, whose solid material particles and fibers 211 thereby accumulate in a region (not labeled) around the pressure node 51. Through the concentration of the solid material particles and fibers 211, a liquid contained in the aerosol 2 (not labeled) is pressed towards the outside, i.e. the container inner surface 114. Therefore, a first material part 21 with aggregated solid material particles and fibers 211 is formed along the region extending concentrically around the axis 7. The remaining aerosol 2, also referred to below as the second material part 22, contains correspondingly less solid material particles and fibers 211. In principle, however, it is also possible here to use sound waves 5 with which the liquid of the aerosol 2 is pressed inwards, so that the solid material particles and fibers 21 1 move toward the container inner surface 114.

(62) The region along which the first material part 21 accumulates extends approximately concentrically around a line 77 connecting the pressure nodes 51. Since the aerosol 2 is conveyed in the conveying direction 4, while it is acted upon by the sound wave 5, the first material part 21 is conveyed in the conveying direction 4. In addition, the sound waves 5 propagate at right angles 53 to the conveying direction 4. As a result, the line 77 extends in the conveying direction 4.

(63) In contrast to the aggregating device 1 of FIGS. 1(a) and (b), in which exciters 3 are arranged distributed around the container 11 in the circumferential direction 74, the aggregating device 1 with the cross section of FIG. 1(c) has only two opposite rows with mutually corresponding exciters 3 for generating the sound waves 5.

(64) FIG. 1(d) shows a sectional view of the aggregating device 1 in (a), which is shown rotated about the axis 7 by a right rotation angle. The accumulation of the solid material particles and fibers 211 in the region around the axis 7 is shown schematically. The aerosol 2 is conveyed in the conveying direction 4 through the container 11. The solid material particles and fibers 211 are thereby acted upon by the stationary waves 5. It can be seen that the stationary waves 5 propagate in a propagation direction 54 transversely to the conveying direction 4.

(65) With the force of the sound waves 5, the solid material particles and fibers 211 are moved by applying the sound waves 5 to the pressure node 51 and accumulate there. In this case, the liquid contained in the aerosol 2 is pressed outwards. In the concentric region around the line 77, the first material part 21 with the concentrated, aggregated solid material particles and fibers 211 is formed. Since the container 11 has a circular cross section and the exciters 3 are arranged concentrically about the axis 7, the line 77 connecting the pressure nodes 51 extends along the axis 7.

(66) In order to separate the first material part 21 from the aerosol 2, the container branch 12 extends into the container 11. It extends concentrically to the axis 7. The container branch 12 has a branch inlet 121, which is arranged at the center of the container 11. A diameter (not labeled) of the container branch 12 is selected to be sufficiently large so that the first material part 21 is received by the branch 12 through the branch inlet 121.

(67) Exciters 3 are also provided on the container branch 12. These are here arranged in the limiting wall 115 of the container branch 12. As a result, the solid material particles and fibers 211 are further pressed into the pressure node 51 and liquid is forced outwards. The result is a sliding film 23, through which the first material part 21, despite its viscous consistency, can be conveyed through the container branch 12, without the latter being clogged.

(68) In the embodiment of the aggregating device 1 of FIG. 1(e), sound waves 5 are generated with the exciters 3 arranged on the surface 113 of the container 11, whose pressure node 51 is arranged on the inner surface 114 of the container 11, and the pressure antinode 52 in the middle of the container 11. As a result, the liquid contained in the aerosol 2 is pressed into the middle 7, and the solid material particles and fibers 211 are pressed outwards toward the container inner surface 114.

(69) Therefore, with the container branch 12, the second, liquid material part 22 is hereby skimmed off in the middle of the container 11. As a consequence, no further exciters 3 are provided in or on the container branch 12.

(70) In order to be able to convey the aerosol 2 despite its paste-like consistency without clogging through the container 11, it is possible to introduce it in advance into a delivery fluid 24. Water can be, for example, a suitable conveying fluid 24, depending on the aerosol 2.

(71) Introduction of the aerosol 2 into the conveying fluid 24 is shown schematically in FIG. 2(a). The container 11 is flowed through in the conveying direction 4 by the conveying fluid 24. The aerosol 2 is introduced centrally through a filler neck 116 in the container 11. As a result, the delivery fluid 24 surrounds the aerosol 2.

(72) In the embodiment of FIG. 2(b), only the branch drain 122 is provided as a means for separating. The exciters 3 are positioned so that the stationary sound waves 5 generated with them have a pressure node 51, which waves are arranged in a spatial direction 72 transversely to the conveying direction 4 below the branch outlet 122. The line 77, around which the first material part 21 accumulates, is therefore located below the branch outlet 122.

(73) FIG. 3 shows a further embodiment of an aggregating device 1. As a means for receiving and/or conveying the aerosol 2, a container 11, namely a tank, is provided here. The tank 11 has a container inlet 111 at the front end 101 of the aggregating device 1 and a container outlet 112 at the rear end 102 of the aggregating device 1. The container inlet 111 and the container outlet 112 are arranged approximately at the same height H of the tank 11.

(74) Spaced exciters 3 are arranged in an extension direction 71 of the tank 11. The exciters 3 are arranged in rows in a second spatial direction 72 transversely to the direction of extension 71 below and above the tank 11. The exciters 3 above the tank 11 are placed so that a liquid level 25 of the aerosol 2 extends below the exciter 3. An exciter 3, 31 above the tank 11 and an exciter 3, 32 below the tank 11 are respectively formed corresponding to each other and produce a stationary sound wave 5. The sound waves 5 propagate in the tank 11 and have a pressure antinode 52 which extends along line 77. The line 77 is arranged in the second spatial direction 72 below the height H of the container inlet 111 and the container outlet 112.

(75) The solid material particles and fibers 211 of the aerosol 22 conveyed into the tank 11 are moved to the pressure nodes 51 by means of the force of the sound waves 5. Since the pressure nodes 51 of the exciter 3 arranged in the second spatial direction 72 above the line 77 are positioned outside the aerosol 2, the solid material particles and fibers 211 accumulate here on the bottom 17 of the tank 11 and form the first material part 21.

(76) As a means for separating 12, a branch outlet 122 is arranged close to the ground, through which the first material part 21 is conveyed in the conveying direction 4 from the tank 11. The second material part 22 flows through the container outlet 112 arranged along height H. In this embodiment of the aggregating device 1, the liquid pressure is used to convey the aerosol 2. In addition, a further conveying means 8, for example a liquid multiplexer, can be provided.

(77) In the aggregating device of FIG. 4 a tank is also provided as a container 11 for receiving and/or conveying the aerosol 2. However, the aerosol 2 charged with the sound wave 5 is also conveyed here by means of a conveyor belt 8. The conveyor belt 8 dips with a lower return end 85 into the tank 11 and the aerosol 2. It has a conveyor belt surface 81 which has an inclination 82 relative to the horizontal plane (not labeled). On a conveying line 83 of the conveyor belt 8, the conveyor belt surface 81 is transported in a conveying direction 4.

(78) The exciters 3 are arranged in rows below and above the conveyor belt surface 81. An exciter 3, 31 below and an exciter 3, 32 above the conveyor belt surface 81 each act in a corresponding manner to one another and produce a stationary sound wave 5.

(79) The exciters 3 are placed so that a pressure node 51 forms on or below the conveyor belt surface 81. At this pressure node 51, the solid material particles and fibers 211 move. The first material part 21 therefore accumulates on the conveyor belt surface 81. When pressure nodes 51 are arranged below the conveyor belt surface 81, the solid material particles and fibers 211 are pressed onto the conveyor belt 8. It is dropped at an upper return end 84 of the conveyor belt 8 into a collecting container 13. The conveyor belt 8 is therefore also used here as a means 12 for separating the first material part 21 from the aerosol 2.

(80) The liquid can flow off laterally or in the middle of the conveyor belt 8 and partially evaporated. For the evaporating aerosol 2, a return 9 is provided, on which it condenses. The return 9 is arranged obliquely with respect to the horizontal, so that the evaporated liquid is returned to the tank 11 back. But it can also be derived separately.

(81) Such a conveyor belt 8 with the exciters 3 can also be used separately for solidifying and drying solid material particles and fibers 211. Depending on the liquid level of the aerosol, it may form the means for receiving and/or conveying the aerosol. In addition, containers for the aerosol, the first and/or the second material part may be provided. It is therefore suitable, for example, for drying and solidifying paper, drying and felting textiles, drying and solidifying sewage sludge and/or kitchen waste.

(82) FIGS. 5(a)-(d) show, by way of example and schematically, the attachment of exciters 3 for generating a sound wave 5 on a container wall 15. In FIGS. 5(a) and (b), the container walls show a recess 119.

(83) In FIG. 5(a), the exciter 3 on the surface 113 of the container wall 115 is aligned with the recess 119 by means of an attached holding plate 118. The latter is fixed with fastening means 91 such as rivets or screws in the container wall 15. The holding plate 118 has a receptacle (not labeled) for the exciter 3, which surrounds it. It is elastically designed to seal the recess 119 on the outside.

(84) In FIG. 5(b), the exciter 3 is arranged in the recess 119. For this purpose, a plurality of holding plates 118 are provided, which are arranged on the inner surface 114 and on the surface 113 of the container wall 115. Also in this case, the holding plates 118 are elastically formed to seal the container 11. For fastening the retaining plates 118, screws with nuts 92 are provided here as fastening means 91.

(85) The attachment of the exciter 3 in FIG. 5(c) corresponds to that in FIG. 5(a), but no recess is provided in the container wall. Instead, the exciter is arranged flat on the surface. This has the advantage that it does not come into contact with the aerosol 2.

(86) In FIG. 5(d), the exciter 3 is arranged flat on the inner surface 113 of the container wall 115. Holding plates 118 are also provided, which hold the exciter 3 to the container wall 115. Here as well, rivets 91 are provided for attachment.

(87) However, the exciters 3 can also be glued, riveted or stapled to the container wall 15, in particular to its surface 13. It is also possible to mount the exciters 3 in the container interior 110.

(88) FIG. 6 shows a further embodiment of an aggregating device 1 according to the invention. This aggregating device 1 has an inner tube as a container 11 for transporting the aerosol 2. In addition, it has an outer tube as a collecting container 13. The inner tube 11 has a plurality of outlet openings as a branch outlet 122, which are provided for discharging the liquid. In the following, the terms container 11 and inner tube, collecting container 13 and outer tube and outlet opening and branch outlet 122 will be used synonymously.

(89) The aerosol 2 is introduced into the inner tube 11 at the front end 101.

(90) The exciters 3 are arranged on the inner tube 11. They act on the aerosol 2 with the acoustic sound waves 5. As a result, the solid material particles and fibers 211 are moved by means of the force of the sound waves 5 to the pressure nodes 51 or the pressure antinodes 52. In this case, the liquid surrounding it is displaced into the second material part 22.

(91) The acoustic sound waves 5 are provided here in such a way that the solid material particles and fibers 211 move into the inner tube center 7. For this purpose, different harmonics are used here as acoustic sound waves 5. The number of pressure nodes 51 and antinodes 52 of the harmonics decreases however in the conveying direction 4. As a result, the solid material particles and fibers 211 are focused with the harmonics in the inner tube center 7.

(92) The first material part 21 containing aggregated solid material particles and fibers 211 is therefore further conveyed by the inner tube 11. The second material part 22, mainly containing the liquid, however, can be discharged through the outlet openings 122 in the outer tube 13.

(93) The inner tube 11 tapers in the conveying direction 4. An outer diameter (not labeled) of the outer tube 13, however, is constant. As a result, the total cross section, in which the aerosol 2 is transported, is maintained. However, use of an inner tube 11 with constant diameter d1 is also preferred.

(94) In order to improve the transport of the first material part 21 and/or of the second material part 22 and/or to create a phase separation line, a delivery fluid 24 can also be used in the inner tube 1 and/or in the outer tube 13.

(95) FIG. 7 shows a yet further embodiment of an aggregating device and a work piece to which an aerosol is applied. FIG. 7 shows, for example, painting lines 10. At 24, FIG. 7 shows conveying fluid, such as a sheet layer of paint, through ceiling diffusers 182. A robotic spray arm 17 for use with a paint application is also shown in FIG. 7. Robotic spray arm 17 may apply liquid materials or an aerosol 2 to a work piece 16. The work piece may ride on a conveyor belt on an assembly line shown at 19. Conveyor belt on an assembly line 19 may be disposed above a set of floor grilles 181.

(96) Receipt of liquid material or aerosol may be deposited in a tube or tank 10where the tube or tank has an interior 110. The liquid material or aerosol in tube or tank 10 may be subjected to a spot or reflected application of ultra-violet light, infra-red light or microwaves as shown at 15. Following being subjected to a spot or reflected application of ultra-violet light, infra-red light or microwaves as shown at 15, the liquid material or aerosol in tube or tank 10 may exit through a rear end 102 and via a branch outlet 122. For reference first, second and third spatial directions are indicated at 71, 72 and 73, while circumferential direction is indicated at 71, 4.