Importance

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Abstract

A continuous process for the separation of small particles from larger particles in a biological preparation passes a liquid stream of the preparation through a first filter or screen, which retains larger particles, passing smaller particles in the liquid. The large particles have retained on their surfaces wetting water, in which are entrained some of the small particles. The large particles are directed to a liquid having a concentration of smaller particles lower than the concentration of smaller particles in the wetting water, and mixed therein. The smaller particles separate from the larger particles in the mixed suspension, which is then directed to a second filter or screen, for further separation. The smaller particle/liquid stream may be recycled to the biological preparation stage, the liquid suspension for the large particles, or to a separator means where the smaller particles are separated off from the liquid stream. As the system is susceptible of being practiced as a continuous closed system, given an adequate liquid supply, the filtering steps may be repeated any number of times. When separated at the filters or screens, at least a portion of the stream of small particles and liquid must be directed to the separation means, so that said small particles may be eventually separated.

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First Claim