Abstract: A tribo-electro static separation process and system for the preparation of various food and feed products. A tribo-electric separation process and system for fractionating a feed mixture comprising at least two members of the group of proteins, starches, soluble and insoluble fibers. Namely, supplying a feed mixture comprising at least two of the group of proteins, starches, soluble and insoluble fibers to a tribo-electric separator and simultaneously charging and separating the feed mixture into at least two subfractions, with one of the subfractions enriched in one of protein, starch and fiber and having a composition different than the feed mixture.

Abstract: A dynamic filtration system and method for solid-fluid separation to eliminate or substantially reduce media blinding includes: a fluid inlet through which to receive an inlet flow of fluid to be filtered; a filter membrane; a rotatable mechanical barrier, disposed within an outer shell, to contain the filter membrane and through which to receive and filter the inlet flow of the fluid, the rotatable mechanical barrier configured to rotate dynamically along an axis, to create a high shear flow, thereby to prevent an accumulation of solids on the filter membrane, and whereby a resultant centrifugal force propels any solids and slurry onto the outer shell to be continuously removed from the dynamic filter system; a fluid outlet through which to disperse a filtered fluid; and a solids and slurry outlet through which to disperse solids and slurry collected in filtration when propelled to the outer shell of the mechanical barrier.

Abstract: An improved belt for use in a belt separation apparatus and an improved method to separate a particle mixture based on tribo-electric charging of particles is disclosed. The improved belt is particularly suitable for tribo-electric separation of particles that tend to accumulate on the edges of the belt separation apparatus and/or tend to compound, or blend, with the belt material. The improved belt comprises impermeable longitudinal edges, apertures interior to the longitudinal edges of the belt, and periodic notches formed in the longitudinal edges of the belt at periodic locations in the edge of the belt.

Abstract: A separator comprising: a first and second chamber, wherein the chambers are generally vertically disposed and parallel to each other; and the chambers have an upper end and a lower end; and the separator comprises an upper body and a lower body, wherein the upper ends are disposed in communication with the upper body, and the lower ends are disposed in communication with the lower body. Further disclosed is a single-chamber separator including a cooler. The cooler surrounds a portion of the chamber, and includes a coolant inlet disposed on a bottom surface, and a coolant outlet disposed on a top surface, and further includes baffles for directing coolant flow in a back and forth manner inside of the cooler. Also disclosed is a dual-chamber separator including a plurality of filters. The filters are disposed in the chambers in surrounding relationship to the tubes.

Abstract: A separator comprising: a first and second chamber, wherein the chambers are generally vertically disposed and parallel to each other; and the chambers have an upper end and a lower end; and the separator comprises an upper body and a lower body, wherein the upper ends are disposed in communication with the upper body, and the lower ends are disposed in communication with the lower body. Further disclosed is a single-chamber separator including a cooler. The cooler surrounds a portion of the chamber, and includes a coolant inlet disposed on a bottom surface, and a coolant outlet disposed on a top surface, and further includes baffles for directing coolant flow in a back and forth manner inside of the cooler. Also disclosed is a dual-chamber separator including a plurality of filters. The filters are disposed in the chambers in surrounding relationship to the tubes.

Abstract: A dynamic filtration system and method for solid-fluid separation to eliminate or substantially reduce media blinding includes: a fluid inlet through which to receive an inlet flow of fluid to be filtered; a filter membrane; a rotatable mechanical barrier, disposed within an outer shell, to contain the filter membrane and through which to receive and filter the inlet flow of the fluid, the rotatable mechanical barrier configured to rotate dynamically along an axis, to create a high shear flow, thereby to prevent an accumulation of solids on the filter membrane, and whereby a resultant centrifugal force propels any solids and slurry onto the outer shell to be continuously removed from the dynamic filter system; a fluid outlet through which to disperse a filtered fluid; and a solids and slurry outlet through which to disperse solids and slurry collected in filtration when propelled to the outer shell of the mechanical barrier.

Abstract: An improved belt separator system and an improved method to separate particle mixtures based on triboelectric separation of particles is disclosed. One or more gas nozzles, for example, a plurality of gas nozzles are provided as part of the system or installed into a system, such as an existing system, to improve dispersal of particles during operation.

Abstract: A belt for use in a belt separation apparatus and a method to separate a particle mixture based on tribo-electric charging of particles is disclosed. The belt is particularly suitable for tribo-electric separation of particles that tend to accumulate on the edges of the belt separation apparatus and/or tend to compound, or blend, with the belt material. The belt comprises impermeable longitudinal edges, apertures interior to the longitudinal edges of the belt, and periodic notches formed in the longitudinal edges of the belt at periodic locations in the edge of the belt.

Abstract: A separator comprising: a first and second chamber, wherein the chambers are generally vertically disposed and parallel to each other; and the chambers have an upper end and a lower end; and the separator comprises an upper body and a lower body, wherein the upper ends are disposed in communication with the upper body, and the lower ends are disposed in communication with the lower body. Further disclosed is a single-chamber separator including a cooler. The cooler surrounds a portion of the chamber, and includes a coolant inlet disposed on a bottom surface, and a coolant outlet disposed on a top surface, and further includes baffles for directing coolant flow in a back and forth manner inside of the cooler. Also disclosed is a dual-chamber separator including a plurality of filters. The filters are disposed in the chambers in surrounding relationship to the tubes.

Abstract: A process control system, more particularly, a process control system for controlling electrostatic separation for the separation of particulate materials is provided.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for separating metal values, such as nickel and nickel compounds, from mineral ores, including lateritic ores are disclosed. The method includes providing a mixture of particles (e.g., crushed and sized ore) that is composed of at least a first group of particles and a second group of particles. Group members have similar chemical composition, while particles belonging to different groups have dissimilar chemical compositions. The mixture of particles is concurrently, or generally concurrently, heated (using microwave/millimeter wave energy) and exposed to a reactant. The wave energy and the reactant act to increase the difference in either the magnetic susceptibility or other separation properties between the first and second group of particles. The mixture of particles is then passed through an appropriate separator to separate the particles of interest. Optional steps are disclosed for purifying selected particles.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for recovering mercury control reagents from particulate materials is disclosed. The particulate materials include fly ash mixed with mercury control reagents collected from boiler flue gases. The particulate materials are provided to an electrostatic separation system, which is operated under predetermined conditions so as to produce a concentrated stream of the mercury control reagent and a diluted stream containing minimal mercury control reagent.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for separating metal values, such as nickel and nickel compounds, from mineral ores, including lateritic ores are disclosed. The method includes providing a mixture of particles (e.g., crushed and sized ore) that is composed of at least a first group of particles and a second group of particles. Group members have similar chemical composition, while particles belonging to different groups have dissimilar chemical compositions. The mixture of particles is concurrently, or generally concurrently, heated (using microwave/millimeter wave energy) and exposed to a reactant. The wave energy and the reactant act to increase the difference in either the magnetic susceptibility or other separation properties between the first and second group of particles. The mixture of particles is then passed through an appropriate separator to separate the particles of interest. Optional steps are disclosed for purifying selected particles.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for separating metal values, such as nickel and nickel compounds, from mineral ores, including lateritic ores are disclosed. The method includes providing a mixture of particles (e.g., crushed and sized ore) that is composed of at least a first group of particles and a second group of particles. Group members have similar chemical composition, while particles belonging to different groups have dissimilar chemical compositions. The mixture of particles is concurrently, or generally concurrently, heated (using microwave/millimeter wave energy) and exposed to a reactant. The wave energy and the reactant act to increase the difference in either the magnetic susceptibility or other separation properties between the first and second group of particles. The mixture of particles is then passed through an appropriate separator to separate the particles of interest. Optional steps are disclosed for purifying selected particles.

Abstract: The application discloses a belt formed of first and second portions of thermoplastic sheet including, respectively, first and second pluralities of tabs spaced apart so as to define first and second pluralities of openings along corresponding first and second edges of the first and second portions of thermoplastic sheet, wherein the first plurality of tabs are joined to the second plurality of tabs so as to join the first edge to the second edge.

Abstract: A separator that provides a convergent conical flow path for a mixture introduced into the separator at fairly high velocity. Within the convergent flow path, the angular velocity of the spiraling mixture increases such that heavier species are segregated from lighter species. The convergent flow path transitions into a substantially uniform flow path where the spiraling mixture maintains a fairly uniform velocity and further separation occurs. The uniform flow path then transitions to a divergent conical exhaust flow path where some or all of the heavier species are exhausted from the separator. Within the substantially uniform flow path, a retrograde flow of the lighter species is created with an interaction with a diffuser surface arranged in the exhaust flow path. As such, the lighter species are channeled to a separate exit port to provide some degree of separation of the mixture.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for separating metal values, such as nickel and nickel compounds, from mineral ores, including lateritic ores are disclosed. The method includes providing a mixture of particles (e.g., crushed and sized ore) that is composed of at least a first group of particles and a second group of particles. Group members have similar chemical composition, while particles belonging to different groups have dissimilar chemical compositions. The mixture of particles is exposed to microwave/millimeter wave energy in order to differentially heat the first and second group of particles, thereby increasing differences in magnetic susceptibility between the first and second group of particles. The mixture of particles is then passed through a magnetic field gradient, which causes the particles to separate into magnetic and non-magnetic fractions.

Abstract: A system for separating constituents from a base material using RF energy which is coupled to a reaction chamber by way of a windowless transmission line. By eliminating the need for a window, traditional limitations placed on the maximum power delivered to the resonating cavity are eliminated. Thus, the only practical limitation on the RF energy which can be delivered to a resonating cavity are the ability of RF energy source to produce that energy and the ability of the resonating cavity to manage that energy.

Abstract: Bulk separation of carbon dioxide from methane is accomplished using a modified pressure swing adsorption system where the adsorbent used is a naturally occurring sodium-rich clinoptilolite. Most of the carbon dioxide can be removed at low operating pressures, and the principal agent of regeneration is a high volume air rinse rather than pressure reduction.