US 2003/0192813 A1 · High-tension electrostatic classifier and separator, and associated method

Abstract

The electrostatic classifier and separator is supported by a housing and includes a corona classifier section for classifying particulate materials according to size. Corona means supplies mobile ions for bombarding particulate materials dropping down a passageway from a reservoir. A splitter and screen may be included in the passageway to direct particulate materials into respective fractions. First separator section receives fine to middle size fractions and second separator section receives middle to coarse size fractions. A support frame having adjustable slots supports a plurality of static electrodes. Corona means for emitting a corona charge is spaced generally in a first quadrant of first separator section. A rotatable brush and an alternating current wiper may be included for removing fine to middle size nonconductive fractions from first separator section. Additional splitter and/or a baffle may be included to help guide particulate material fractions into respective containers, onto a conveyor belt or the like. In an alternate embodiment, the corona classifier section may be housed and powered separately and independently from first and second separator sections.

Drawings

Drawings are temporarily unavailable. Open the PDF at USPTO

Drawings

Claims41

Dependent claims

A high-tension electrostatic classifier and separator for classifying and separating particulate materials based upon their size and conductivity, said separator comprising:

a corona classifier section including
an elongated passageway having generally planar sidewalls defining a first end for receiving particulate materials and a second end for directing the particulate materials into two fractions according to size, and
corona means located adjacent one of said sidewalls for providing ion bombardment in a horizontal direction to the particulate materials dropping down said passageway so that middle to coarse size particulate materials travel in a more generally vertical direction and fine to middle size particulate materials travel in a less generally vertical direction while passing through said passageway, a splitter located in said passageway downstream of said corona means to direct the middle to coarse size particulate materials in a first path toward said sidewall and the fine to middle size particulate materials in a second path toward another of said sidewalls;
a first separator section for receiving the fine to middle size particulate materials from said first path of said passageway and for separating same according to conductivity, said first separator section including
an elongated cylindrical body having a rotative longitudinal axis and a substantially smooth outer drum surface for receiving the fine to middle size particulate materials thereon,
means for rotating said body about said longitudinal axis,
shaft means extending outwardly from opposite ends of said body along said longitudinal axis,
a support frame disposed outwardly of said corona classifier section and said first separator section, said frame including a pair of journals to support said shaft means for supporting said corona classifier section generally above said first separator section,
corona means supported by said frame located spacedly above said outer drum surface and angularly downstream from depositing the fine to middle size particulate materials on said outer drum surface, and
a plurality of spaced, elongated static electrodes extending adjacent and along said outer drum surface of said body and having opposite ends supported by said frame, said plurality of static electrodes being positioned at selected locations within first and second quadrants of said cylindrical body for providing a static electric field for separating fine to middle size conductive particulate materials from said outer drum surface while fine to middle size nonconductive particulate materials remain pinned to said outer drum surface for subsequent removal as said body rotates;
and
a second separator section for receiving middle to coarse size particulate materials from said second path of said passageway and for separating same into conductive and nonconductive fractions, said second separator section including a curved declining grounded conductive plate, a plurality of spaced electrodes spacedly located adjacent and above said plate for producing an electric field to lift middle to coarse size conductive particulate materials from said plate while permitting middle to coarse size nonconductive particulate materials to travel by gravity on said declining plate.

9 more elements

In a high-tension electrostatic classifier and separator for classifying and separating particulate materials based upon size and conductivity comprising:

a corona classifier including
an elongated passageway having generally planar sidewalls defining a first end for receiving particulate materials and a second end for directing the particulate materials into two fractions according to size, and
corona means located adjacent one of said sidewalls for providing ion bombardment in a horizontal direction to the particulate materials dropping down said passageway so that middle to coarse size particulate materials travel in a more generally vertical direction and fine to middle size particulate materials travel in a less generally vertical direction while passing through said passageway, a splitter located in said passageway downstream of said corona means to direct the middle to coarse size particulate materials in a first path toward said sidewall and the fine to middle size particulate materials in a second path toward another of said sidewalls.

A method for classifying and separating particulate conductive and nonconductive materials, the method including:

(a) passing the particulate materials through a passageway in close proximity to a corona source for charging thereof;
(b) classifying the particulate materials traveling through the passageway according to size so that the particulate materials are directed into diverging paths with a first path being for fine to middle size particulate materials, and a second path being for middle to coarse size particulate materials;
(c) separating the fine to middle size particulate materials into conductive and nonconductive fractions with a rotating cylindrical grounded outer drum surface for carrying the fine to middle size particulate materials past a corona charging location so that conductors of the fine to middle size particulate materials are removed from the outer drum surface by a plurality of spaced static electrodes, the nonconductors of the fine to middle size particulate materials remain on the rotating outer drum surface until they drop off or are removed from the outer drum surface prior to a full rotation of the outer drum surface;
(d) separating the middle to coarse size particulate materials into conductors and nonconductive fractions with a curved declining grounded plate so that conductive middle to coarse size particulate materials passing on the plate are lifted off therefrom due to an electrical field of a plurality of spaced static electrodes spaced above and along the plate and are separated from nonconductive middle to coarse size particulate materials remaining on the plate and falling therefrom;
and
(e) collecting the separated conductive fine to middle size fraction from the nonconductive fine to middle size fraction, and the separated conductive middle to coarse size fraction from the nonconductive middle to coarse size fraction.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Description6,557 words

Summary2,952 words

#Not Applicable.

Brief description of the drawings7 figures

#The novel features believed to be characteristic of this invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

#FIG. 1 is a pictorial end elevational view of the high-tension electrostatic classifier and separator in accordance with the present invention;

#FIG. 2a is an enlarged perspective view of the corona classifier section shown in FIG. 1;

Detailed description3,411 words

#The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this application will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the true scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout, and prime and double prime notations are used to indicate similar elements in alternative embodiments.

#Referring initially to FIG. 1, hybrid electrostatic classifier and separator 11 is shown. Electrostatic classifier and separator 11 includes reservoir 12, corona classifier section 13, and first drum separator section 14 and second plate separator section 15. Reservoir 12 contains particulate materials 16 therein and is capable of dispensing same at variable rates. Particulate materials 16 are dispensed so that an equally spaced stream of particulate materials enters corona classifier section 13. Reservoir 12 is located spacedly above housing 17 in any known manner.

#Housing 17 surrounds electrostatic classifier and separator 11 and includes a plurality of parallel and spaced elongate members 22 and base 23 connected thereto for forming hollow space 24 for receiving first and second separator sections 14, 15. Housing 17 provides an external framework for protecting electrostatic classifier and separator 11, while also allowing unobstructed views of the separator sections. Electrostatic classifier and separator 11 is supported within housing 17 such that they are supported and suspended above base 23. Thus, gap 25 exists between electrostatic classifier and separator 11 and base 23. Gap 25 allows access beneath electrostatic classifier and separator 11 for locating partitions and/or splitters to direct particulate materials into spaced containers 27, for example. Such containers are placed below gap 25 for collecting distinct particulate material fractions 73-76 shown in FIG. 3a.

High-tension electrostatic classifier and separator, and associated method

Life of this patent

High-tension electrostatic classifier and separator, and associated method

Life of this patent

Life of this patent

Abstract

Drawings

Drawings

Claims41

Description6,557 words

Drawings

Classification2 codes

Life of this patent

Description6,557 words