Patent ID: 6390302
Filing Date: 2002-05-21
Classification: B03C

Abstract:
An apparatus for separating particles according to their dielectric properties, the apparatus comprising field generating means for generating a sharply non-homogeneous DC electrical field having a gradient exceeding 4Ã—109 V/m2 and a divergence exceeding 1012, feed means for feeding particles which are to be separated through the electrical field, the feed means comprising a feeder which discharges particles over a sharp edge thereof, the radius of the edge being in the range of 0.01 and 1 times the average particle diameter, such that particles with different dielectric properties are acted upon by different forces which separate them spatially, collection means for separately collecting the spatially separated particles wherein the feed means comprises a feeder, at earth potential, which discharges the particles over the sharp edge thereof to fall under gravity through the sharply non-homogenous DC electrical field which is set up between a main space DC electrode, located adjacent the path of the falling particles, and the edge, and discrete collectors are located generally beneath the feeder edge to collect spatially separated particles.