Method and apparatus for reducing carbon content in particulate mixtures

Method of reducing the carbon particle content of a fly ash mixture containing from about 4% to about 20% of said carbon particles comprising:

• a) providing an inclined surface having an elevated distal end and a lower proximal end;
• b) feeding said fly ash mixture having from about 4-20% of said carbon particles to said elevated distal end of said surface;
• c) heating said fly ash mixture to a temperature of from about the dew point to about 100.degree. C.;
• d) subjecting said fly ash mixture to a first source of vibration located along said surface to convey said fly ash mixture from said distal end toward said lower proximal end, said first source of vibration located at an angle of about 30.degree. to 55.degree. with respect to said inclined surface;
• e) subjecting said fly ash mixture to a second source of vibration located along said surface to separate said fly ash mixture into a high carbon content fraction and an enhanced fly ash fraction;
• f) recovering said enhanced fly ash fraction at a location proximate to said lower proximal end of said surface;
• and
• g) removing said separated high carbon content fraction from said surface.

Apparatus for reducing the carbon content of particulate matter selected from the group consisting of fly ash and wood ash, comprising:

• a) an inclined surface having an elevated distal end and a lower proximal end;
• b) a first vibration means for vibrating said inclined surface to move said particulate matter from said elevated distal end toward said lower proximal end;
• c) a second vibration means for disaggregating said particulate matter and separating it into a high carbon fraction and a heavier enhanced particulate fraction-,
• d) high carbon content removal means operatively associated with said inclined surface for removing said high carbon content fraction from said inclined surface;
• and
• e) enhanced particulate fraction recovery means for recovering said enhanced particulate fraction from said inclined surface.