GB1164266A - Mechanical Separator for Particulate Materials and Method. - Google Patents

Abstract

1,164,266. Separators. WHEELABRATOR CORP. 5 Dec., 1966 [17 Jan., 1966], No. 54342/66. Heading B2H. In an apparatus for separating, e.g. abrasive blasting particles from an abrasive-contaminant mixture, the mixture is fed to one end of a rotary screening drum 24 by means of a feed screw 32. The coarse material is discharged at the other end of the drum into a chute while the rest of the mixture which has passed through the drum falls into a hopper 38, 44 on to a bottom plate 40 which is provided with a lip 42 from which the mixture falls by gravity as a curtain. An adjustable baffle plate 46 and a swing gate 50 controlled by adjustable counter weights 56 ensure a uniform distribution of the mixture and regulate the flow thereof over the lip 42 to provide a curtain of falling mixture of uniform thickness, the mixture being urged forward by a helix 76 mounted exteriorly of the drum. An air stream 62 drawn or blown through a gap 64 between the lip 42 and a separator plate 58 passes through the curtain of falling mixture thereby removing therefrom the light contaminants which are discharged via a chute 68 into a passage 70, the air flowing through a passage 66a to an outlet 66. The air pressure may be varied by means of a damper in the passage 66a. The rest of the mixture falls into another hopper 80, 96 and overflows a lip 84 at the bottom thereof. A helix 98 mounted on a rotatable shaft 100 serves to urge the mixture forward while an adjustable baffle plate and a swing gate 86 perform the same functions as before. The curtain of material falling from the lip 84 across a gap 106 between the lip 84 and a further separator plate 104 is again subjected to a transverse stream of air, but at a pressure lower than that of the stream 62, for the removal of any remaining light contaminants which are discharged through a chute 106, the air flowing to an outlet 108 provided with a damper 109. The abrasive particles passing rearwardly of the separator plate 104 are directed by means of a diverter plate 120 into either a compartment 116 for storage and reuse or into a compartment 118 from which it can be recycled through the apparatus for further cleaning. In a modification, the helix 98 may be dispensed with. In a further modification, the plate 96 may be dispensed with, the falling material being received directly onto the plate 80 and lip 84.