Electrostatic separation apparatus and method using box-shaped electrodes

US6329623A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Outokumpu Oyj · FI

Inventors

• Eric S. Yan · Orange Park, US
• Thomas J. Grey · Jacksonville, US
• Timo Niitti · Espoo, FI

Key dates

• Filing date: Jun 23, 2000
• Grant date: Dec 11, 2001
• Expiry date: Jun 23, 2020

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B03C7/12
• WIPO field: Chemical engineering
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

This invention relates to an apparatus and method for electrostatically separating particles having different electrostatic properties. The apparatus involves two thin box-shaped electrodes facing each other as mirror-images and charged with a voltage field causing the opposing electrodes to assume opposite charges, and then passing a mixture of particles through the field so as to make the particles travel toward the respective electrodes through a perforated plate or screen and to a solid back plate and then to fall by gravity through a splitter adjusted to separate particles attracted by one charge from particles attracted by another charge. A vibrator is attached to each electrode, which is isolated for movement by spaced vibration isolators to shake off any particles stuck to the electrodes.