GB599908A - Improvements in or relating to method of and apparatus for separating components of mixtures of materials having different electrical properties - Google Patents

Abstract

599,908. Electrostatic separators. MASSE, T. J. May 1, 1944, No. 8180. Convention date, April 14, 1943. [Class 72] Components of mixtures of materials having different electrical properties are separated from one another by passing the mixtures through a field established between a repelling electrode and an attracting electrode, the electrodes being so spaced apart that the field will influence particles of the moving mixture in the arising direction from the repelling electrode without losing contact with the moving mixture, the attracted material being removed by suction. The mixture of materials is fed from a hopper 7 on to vibratory table 6 supported on flexible legs 7A and vibrated by a unit 8, and passes along boards 10 on to an inclined screen 11, through which fine particles will pass. The materials then pass over a stationary repelling electrode 15 and under a curved stationary allocating electrode 14 which is connected to a suction element 16. The outer surface of the electrode 14 which may be made of wood or ebonite is smooth and its upper surface carries an electric wire 17 which may be charged from a rectifier valve 18, and also is provided with one or more slotted members 28, the upper ends of which open into a conduit 29 connected to a fan 30. In a modification, the wire 17 may be replaced by a flat plate and the plate 14 may be flat instead of being curved. The plate 14 may be adjustable with regard to the electrode 15 which may be in the form of a screen or of an earthed endless driving belt. Uncollected particles of the mixture pass into a shoot 21 from which they are passed by a fan 22 back to a disintegrator for further treatment. Specification 543,711 is referred to.