Separation of particulate materials using an alternating potential electrostatic field

Abstract From the Canadian patent

Abstract, Particles having different properties (e.g. particulate fly ash and carbon) are separated by moving the particles forwards along a horizontal gas-permeable, electrode plate (1) above which is mounted a second electrode (2) having at least one plate (4) mounted at an acute angle (?) to the horizontal. Preferably two, plates (4) each extend sideways from a central block (3) of dielectric material. The particles are fluidized continuously or intermittently, by a gas stream passed upwards through the plate (1), which may be of sintered metal. An alternating electric field is generated between the electrodes (1, 2) by a high voltage AC power source (14). The field lines (16) from each …