GB1464020A - Electrostatic separator - Google Patents

Abstract

1464020 Electrostatic separation MINERAL DEPOSITS Ltd 25 July 1974 32986/74 Heading B2J An electrostatic unit for separating electrically conductive particles, e.g. particulate metal ores, from a mixture of those particles with non-conductive particles, e.g. crushed gangue, comprises a part-cylindrical feed plate 39; a part-cylindrical screen 25A co-axial with the feed plate 39; a chute 26 for feeding the mixure on to the plate 39 for gravitational flow to the screen 25A; and an electrode 10 positioned above the screen 25A, at least one of the feed plate, screen and chute being positionally adjustable rotationally about the common axis of the feed plate and screen. As shown, the feed plate 39 and the chute 26 are so adjustable, being independently mounted upon a common shaft 29 so that they can be rotationally moved by the operation of respective capstans to which they are attached by cables 31 and 42. In use, the mixture flows down the plate 39 and the screen 25A; non- conductive particles in the mixture fall through the screen into a chute 46A, whilst conductive particles tend to skim across the screen by virtue of the electrostatic action of the electrode 10 and fall into a chute 47 for collection. A plurality of units may be arranged in a cascading sequential series (Fig. 1, not shown).