Method of separating constitutent ingredients of mixtures by staged

Abstract

Vibrational energy is introduced into a portion of a liquid-solid work mixture at a natural resonant frequency of that portion of the mixture while that portion of the mixture is in a fluid or semi-fluid state. A vibrating apparatus imparts controlled vibrations either onto the surface or beneath the surface of the liquid-solid work mixture in sequential stages, the frequency of vibrations generally increasing with each subsequent stage, corresponding to an increase in the natural resonant frequency of the progressively-narrowing liquid portion at the top of the liquid-solid work mixture. A resonant frequency-indicative condition of the liquid portion of the work mixture adjacent the vibrator apparatus is sensed as the vibrator apparatus moves across the top surface of the liquid-solid mixture, and the output frequency of the vibrating apparatus is correspondingly adjusted in accordance with the sensed condition as the vibrator apparatus travels. The controlled vibrations drive the liquid component of the liquid-solid mixture upwardly out of the mixture, thereby advantageously expediting the rate of consolidation, stiffening, and/or drying of the lower (solid) portion of the mixture, and advantageously filtering, decanting, and/or otherwise isolating the constituent ingredients of the mixture.