Patent ID: 8338734
Filing Date: 2012-12-25
Classification: B03C

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for intended use in charging particles in charging particles in a particle mixture as part of a system for separating particles from a feedstream comprising a fluid flow including the particle mixture, comprising: a tribocharging rotor of a generally cylindrical shape, said rotor having a generally continuous, non-permeable outer surface for contacting and frictionally charging the particles of the particle mixture; a chamber at least partially defined by an outer wall and the rotor, said chamber including an inlet for receiving the particle mixture and an outlet for discharging the particle mixture, wherein the rotor is mounted within the chamber along an axis of rotation; a partition passing through an opening in the outer wall of the chamber and projecting into the chamber adjacent the outlet, said partition having a free end facing the generally continuous, non-permeable outer surfaceof the rotor, and said partition performing the dual function of preventing the particle mixture from prematurely entering the outlet in one direction and guiding the particle mixture to the outlet in the other direction; and an electric field in the chamber for enhancing the charging of the particles.