DE102023000638A1 - Apparatus and method for electrosorting of materials by heterogeneous, radially symmetric electric fields - Google Patents

Abstract

The present patent describes an apparatus and a method for the electro-sorting of materials using radially symmetrical electric fields with a double heterogeneous electric field. The invention relates to a conical free-fall separator comprising a conical electrode, a rod electrode, a charging device and materials for separation. A container that separates the separated materials from one another is used for better sorting. The technology described is suitable for applications in various areas such as the food or pharmaceutical industries and thus offers a wide range of applications.

Description

The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for electrosorting materials, in particular for separating materials based on their electrical properties. The problem with existing electrosorting apparatus and mechanisms is that the electrical fields are either homogeneous or simply heterogeneous. Homogeneous electrical fields as in ( GB2 332 382 ) have the disadvantage that more voltage or a longer path must be applied to achieve a differentiated separation of substances. In addition, the experimental setup in GB2 332 382 many steps that can be shortened (simplified). Simply heterogeneous electric fields ( US7,802,685 B2 ) offer a possibility for differentiation, but it can be optimized by a double heterogeneity.

To solve these problems, the present invention proposes a method for electrosorting materials in two steps using heterogeneous radially symmetrical electric fields. The electrosorting apparatus consists of a charging unit, a funnel-shaped free-fall separator ( 1 ) with stick electrode ( 2 ) and a container ( 3 ), which is located under the electric field generator ( 4 ). The radially symmetric field is created between the rod electrode and the funnel ( 5 and 6 ). After the materials are triboelectrically charged by a charging device, they are separated within the funnel-shaped free-fall separator ( 4 ) are separated from each other according to their substance-specific charge per mass.

The separator ( 1 ) is in the form of a funnel or blunt cone, whereby the angle is variable. Above the funnel there is an extension (1). The windows (2) can optionally be installed in any number, width, height and shape. In the rod electrode ( 2 ) a hole (3) is optionally installed for fastening.

The process causes the substances to be deflected to varying degrees and fall into the intermediate areas of the collecting container ( 3 ). The collecting container can have a hole (4) through which the rod electrode ( 2 ) is introduced. There can be a variable number of partitions (5) between the outer edge and the center. A ledge (6) is built into the outer edge for the separator to fit snugly into. The containers can also be expanded so that the granulate can continue to move on to possible next steps or be removed from the area of incidence by other methods.

The use of a doubly heterogeneous, radially symmetric electric field enables more precise electrosorting of materials. The apparatus and the process are effective, simple and cost-effective. They can be used in various areas, such as the food industry, the pharmaceutical industry or the recycling industry.

• 1 eine Schrägsicht von oben eines kegelförmigen Separators
• 2 eine Stabelektrode für den Freifallscheider
• 3 eine Schrägsicht von oben auf einen Behälter
• 4 eine Schrägsicht auf die erfindungsgemäße Apparatur ohne Aufladevorrichtung
• 5 eine Zeichnung des radialsymmetrischen, elektrischen Feldes
• 6 eine Zeichnung des doppelt heterogenen elektrischen Feldes im Querschnitt des Freifallscheiders
• 7 eine Seitenansicht des Versuchsaufbaus ohne Aufladevorrichtung
• 8 eine Schrägsicht von oben auf den Versuchsaufbau ohne Aufladevorrichtung

Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of an embodiment.

• 1 an oblique view from above of a conical separator
• 2 a rod electrode for the free fall separator
• 3 an oblique view from above of a container
• 4 an oblique view of the apparatus according to the invention without charging device
• 5 a drawing of the radially symmetric electric field
• 6 a drawing of the double heterogeneous electric field in the cross section of the free fall separator
• 7 a side view of the test setup without charging device
• 8 an oblique view from above of the test setup without charging device

List of reference symbols:

1

Cylindrical extension

2

Window

3

Hole of the rod electrode

4

Hole for the stick electrode

5

Partition wall

6

Heel for holding the separator

Character description:

In 1 The conical separator is shown in an oblique view from above. It can also be described as funnel-shaped, since depending on the extension of the cylindrical extension (reference number 1 in the 1 ) a funnel can be seen. The cuts in the side walls or windows (reference number 2 in the 1 ), currently serve as viewing windows, but can also be used for other purposes.

In 2 The stick electrode is shown in an oblique view from above, with the stick electrode opposite to its actual orientation To ensure that the stick electrode is upright within the device, as shown in 4 As can be seen, there is a hole at the bottom end (reference number 3 in the 2 ) to screw the electrode to the ground and guarantee the voltage supply.

In 3 The container is shown in an oblique view, whereby this container represents a collecting container. Through the hole (reference number 4 in the 3 ) the stick electrode is guided. At the outer edge there is a step (reference number 6 in the 3 ) so that the conical separator fits snugly on the container. The individual areas are separated by a varying number of partition walls (reference number 5 in the 3 ) are delimited.

In 4 The functional separating device is shown. The separator fits snugly on the container. The rod electrode is located in the center of the separator through the hole in the container.

In 5 the equipotential lines of the width of the conical separator are drawn as a top view. From this it can be seen that the E-field becomes stronger towards the inside.

In 6 the equipotential lines of the height and width of the conical separator are drawn as a side view. It can be seen that the E-field decreases from top to bottom and increases from inside to outside.

In 7 The experimental setup is shown as a side view without a charging device. The functional part is surrounded by a box to prevent contact during experimentation.

In 8 The test setup is shown as an oblique view from above. A circular cutout can be seen at the top, which is used to let in the pre-charged materials. The small semicircles at the bottom of the page are used for cable inlets.

QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of documents listed by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• GB2332382 [0001]
• US 7802685 B2 [0001]

Claims (10)

An apparatus for electrosorting materials by radially symmetric electric fields, comprising a charging device, an electric field generator which generates a radially symmetric, heterogeneous electric field, a container and materials. The separator ( 1 ) together with the rod electrode ( 2 ) represents a radially symmetric field. The apparatus according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the rod electrode can take other shapes, such as a pointed inlet, holes (reference numeral 3 in the 2 ) and the rod electrode can assume different positions within the conical free-fall separator. The apparatus according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the separator takes the form of a truncated cone or funnel and the extension of the separator (reference numeral 1 in the 1 ) as well as the number, height, width and shape of the windows as well as the angle of inclination of the side walls are variable. The apparatus according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the container ( 3 ) with any number of partition walls (reference number 5 in the 3 ), variable heights or an automatic output of the sorted materials, such as conveyor belt, further fall, etc., to enable an even more precise and continuous separation of the materials. The apparatus according to Claim 1 until 5 , characterized in that the electric field generator is suitably integrated with the collecting container (reference numerals 4 and 6 in the 3 ). The method for the electro-sorting of materials from a mixture of materials using radially symmetrical electric fields, comprising the following steps: 1. Introduction of the materials into the charging device 2. Introduction of the mixture of materials into a container with a conical free-fall separator, 3. Exposing the materials to a radially symmetrical electric field while they are passing through the funnel-shaped free-fall separator in order to separate different materials from one another by means of their triboelectric charging and 4. Removal of the separated materials from the sorting container The procedure according to Claim 7 , characterized in that the charging device is a tribo-charging device and comprises the step of triboelectrically charging the particles to assume different electrical charges. The particles are thereby caused to rub against one another. This allows them to be separated from one another in the separation process according to their charge-to-mass ratio. If necessary, another form of charging can be used for charging. The procedure according to Claim 7 , characterized in that the E-field is heterogeneous in two spatial directions. The heterogeneity in height is given by the angle of inclination of the sides. In width, the heterogeneity is given by the radial symmetry. The use of the apparatus and method according to Claim 1 and 7 in various sectors, such as the food industry, the pharmaceutical industry or the recycling industry, for sorting materials.

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