GB537819A - Improved process and apparatus for the electrostatic separation of particles having different electrical susceptibility - Google Patents

Abstract

537,819. Electrostatic separators. SUTTON, H. M., and STEELE, B. R. Nov. 30, 1939, No. 31148. [Class 72] In the electrostatic separation of particles having different electrical susceptibilities, the particles while in contact with a separated electrode are subjected first to an electrical brush discharge and then to the inductive effect of an electrode containing an electrically conducting gas which does not produce ionisation of the surrounding air such as neon or helium, so as to modify the action of the brush discharge on some of the particles and effect the desired separation. The maternal is fed from a hopper C on to a rotating electrode B where it is subjected to a brush discharge produced by an electrode D comprising a row of sharp points pivoted on a rod 19 which is adjustably mounted in a sleeve C carried by a support 26. A curtain E of a suitable insulating material and provided with a metallic facing F is loosely mounted on a rod 30 adjustably connected by links 33 to the hopper C. The material then passes through an inductive field produced by an electrode D<SP>2</SP> containing an electrically conducting gas which does not produce an ionisation of the surrounding air such as helium or other rare gas and the separated material is collected in separate heaps by the interposition of adjustably mounted partitions I, I<SP>2</SP>. Any articles clinging to the electrode B are removed by the rotating roller O composed of felt washers packed closely together. The electrode D is adjustable so that it may be placed in any one of the positions D<SP>3</SP>, D<SP>5</SP>, D<SP>6</SP>. A reciprocating feed pan L actuated by a rod 25 from an eccentric M is located at the outlet end of the feed hopper C, and may be heated by an electric heater N. U.S.A. Specification 1,386,287 is referred to.