Patent ID: 6498313
Filing Date: 2002-12-24
Classification: B03C

Abstract:
A method for separating and removing a first species of electrostatically charged particles from a particle mixture flow including at least a second species of particles, comprising the steps of:feeding the particle mixture flow to a first inlet of a separator to create a turbulent particle mixture flow to assist in electrostatically charging the particles; straightening and smoothing the turbulent particle mixture flow; delivering the particle mixture flow to a first separation chamber having a first electric field zone for drawing a species of particles having the selected charge from the smooth particle mixture flow; introducing a curtain gas flow to the separation chamber parallel to the smooth particle mixture flow to entrain and carry the species of particles having the selected charge drawn from the smooth particle mixture flow to a collector for recovery, delivering a remaining particle flow to a second separation chamber having a second electric zone for drawing any species of particles having the selected charge therefrom, collecting the remaining particle flow; whereby the substantially parallel smooth flows reduce turbulence and improve separation of the species of particles having the selected charge from the particle mixture.