Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided which addresses the drawbacks of the prior art and which incorporates two separate imaging devices, one near-infrared and one mid-infrared imaging device which simultaneously capture images of the passing objects. The background information is removed and images of the objects remain. A spherical optical transform and a defect preservation transform preserve any defect levels on objects and compensate for the non-lambertian gradient reflectants on spherical objects at their curvatures and dimensions.

Abstract: There is provided a process for converting wet fly ash into a useful product such as cement replacement or industrial filler. A first amount of wet fly ash is provided. The wet fly ash is fed into a mixing chamber. An amount of aggregate, such as stone, is provided. The aggregate is also fed into the mixing chamber where the wet fly ash is mixed with the aggregate. The mixed wet fly ash and aggregate is fed into a drying chamber where the mixture is heated, thereby drying the fly ash and heating the aggregate. The heated aggregate is separated from the fly ash. The heated aggregate is fed back into the mixing chamber. A second amount of wet fly ash is added to the mixing chamber where is it mixed with the heated aggregate. The heated aggregate assists in drying the second amount of wet fly ash. Once in cycle, the process is continuous.

Abstract: A process for recovering raw rubber compounds from unvulcanized reinforced, semi-finished technical rubber products includes pressing the rubber products between metal surfaces heated to a temperature from 50 to 300° C., or preheating the rubber products to a temperature from 50 to 300° C.; and then pressing the rubber products between metal surfaces. Also, equipment for carrying the above process including a preheated or forewarmed space, and rolls in close proximity to the preheated space, the rolls rotating preferably at the same speed, but in opposite directions. The equipment has means for the adjustment of the gap between the rolls, drive means for the rolls, and if required, may be equipped with known aligning, guiding and forwarding mechanisms.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for continuously discriminating between a contaminated plastic material containing trapped volatile contaminants and plastic material which contains an acceptable threshold of contaminants including first supplying a continuous source of plastic material wherein the plastic material contains trapped volatile contaminants and feeding a sample of the plastic material to the input section of an auger conveyor. The auger conveyor contains a barrel and a transfer screw positioned within the barrel with flights thereon for conveying the plastic material, the auger also connected to an output section which itself is connected to a detector for detecting trapped volatile contaminants.

Abstract: Waste plastics, which contain coloring agents and are in various forms, are heated and electrified to divide into three groups in order to collect them without crushing while maintaining their product forms. Each group consists of high exothermic plastics, low exothermic plastics or PVC.

Abstract: A wet material treatment apparatus includes an inlet hopper for introducing the wet material into the apparatus. The hopper feeds the wet material into an injector auger that physically directs the wet material into a high velocity air stream produced by a blower thereby directing the flow of the wet material through the apparatus. The wet material moves from the injector auger into a cyclone that separates the wet material through specific gravity and desiccation into a substantially liquid and a substantially solid portion. The substantially liquid portion is discharged through a first outlet in the cyclone to a wet scrubber, while the substantially solid portion of the wet material is discharged through a second outlet. The apparatus can be mounted to a trailer for mobile transportation, and can include two cyclones operating in series.

Abstract: A process for producing sodium tripolyphosphate includes mixing sodium hydroxide or sodium carbonate with dilute phosphoric acid in amounts which are substantially stoichiometric for the production of sodium tripolyphosphate to produce an intermediate crystalline mix in a sludge. The intermediate crystalline mix is separated from the sludge, and melted in a vessel to cause sodium tripolyphosphate to be produced. The molten sodium tripolyphosphate is removed from the vessel, and cooled to produce solid sodium tripolyphosphate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system of IC transporting process for IC test device and the method thereof, and in particular, an IC transporting system having a plurality of buffering regions provided at the front end and rear end of the test region of the IC chip. The system comprises an empty tray treating region, feeding region, main buffering region, test region, and distribution region. The present invention makes use of time-differential of transporting IC chip loading trays between the distribution region and the main buffering region to maintain the testing process of IC chips. Thus, the present invention provides a high and efficient productivity.

Abstract: Glass cullet such as recycled municipal waste is processed to substantially eliminate contaminants including light weight paper and polymer, ferrous and nonferrous metal and also ceramics, pyroceramics, tempered glass, stones and assorted silicates that have properties approximating those of glass. In a series of washing and sorting steps, different mechanical, chemical, electromagnetic, and thermal processes cause distinct materials in the cutlet to react differently, whereupon the contaminants are selectively removed and the glass is processed on. The cullet is crushed; ferrous and nonferrous metals are detected and diverted, a screening station sizes cullet particles and routes larger sizes back for additional crushing. An air blower entrains and removes light fractions and dust. A wash station entrains and removes dirt and soluble material. In a flow of sized particles, further metal and ceramic (non-glass silica) detection devices divert portions of the flow sensed to contain non-glass materials.

Abstract: Disclosed is a separator for separating a meltable solid from a mixture with other solids. The separator has a tank for holding a fluid; a container at least partially inside the tank, made at least in part of a screen through which the fluid can pass and melted solids can flow, but through which the unmelted solid material will not flow; and a heater for heating the fluid above the melting point of the meltable solids. Also disclosed is a method of separating a meltable solid from a mixture with other solids. The mixture of solids is placed in the container of the separator and the fluid is heated to a temperature above the melting point of the meltable solid, whereby the meltable solid flows through the screen out of the container, while the other solids remain within the container.

Abstract: A vibratory separator apparatus for separating components from a fluid material stream fed to the vibratory separator apparatus, the vibratory separator apparatus, in certain aspects, having separator apparatus for separating components of the fluid material stream, and heating apparatus for heating the fluid material stream. A screening system with a screen mounting basket, at least one screen mounted on the basket, and heating apparatus for heating the at least one screen.

Abstract: A process for removing ammonia from fly ash during processing on an inclined fluidized bed. The process begins by introducing a mixture of particulates having ammonia adsorbed therein into an inclined fluidized bed. Concurrently, a fluidizing gas is pre-heated and is also introduced into the fluidized bed. The mixture is then processed along the fluidized bed with the pre-heated fluidizing gas to achieve bubbling fluidization of the particles. This causes segregation by which a dense fraction settles downward and a light fraction rises upward in the bed. Ammonia in the particles is desorbed by the pre-heated fluidizing gas. The fluidizing gas is then scrubbed after the processing step to remove the desorbed ammonia. The process may also include the use of acoustic enhancement whereby an acoustic field is imposed on the fluidized bed to improve fluidization and segregation of the particles and to increase the efficacy of ammonia removal.

Abstract: A process is described for making silica powder by a sol-gel process whereby an aqueous suspension is made of a silica-based raw material which includes particles containing chlorine, the pH of the suspension is adjusted to a value from 3 to 4.5 if necessary, the suspension is gelled, the gel obtained is dried and the dried gel is fractionated into silica granules. The silica-based raw material preferably includes particles containing chlorine having a specific surface area less than 80 m2/g and less than 5 wt. % relative to the total quantity of particles containing chlorine of silica particles having a specific surface area from 150 m2/g to 300 m2/g. The use of such powder to manufacture an optical fiber preform is also described.

Abstract: A garbage treatment plant and a recycling method for use by a community having a garbage pick up by garbage trucks, the method comprising the steps of collecting the food garbage and non food garbage in separate containers, transporting the food garbage and non food garbage to a garbage treatment plant wherein the food garbage is ground and heated to a temperature sufficient to kill pathogenic bacteria therein, and separating recyclable material from the non food garbage. The method is preferably practiced on a relatively small local scale and provides for a maximum of recyclable material and valuable by-products from the treated food garbage.

Abstract: A system and method for manipulating magnetic particles in a solution to separate nucleic acid molecules from cell components in a cell solution. The system and method employ a device capable of receiving a plurality of tubes, each of which contain respective sample and paramagnetic particles. The device includes heating and cooling devices to facilitate a lysing step to release the nucleic acid molecules from the cells in the cell solution. The device further includes moveable magnets which can be moved proximate to and away from the tube to hold the paramagnetic particles to which the nucleic acid molecules become bound, so that the molecule-bound particles can be separated from the remainder of the solution, and washed as appropriate. The system also employs an electromagnet which is capable of demagnetizing the particles to allow the particles to freely mix with solution, such as elution solutions which are used to unbind the molecules from the particles.

Abstract: When a printed board is soldered by a dipping method, a great deal of dross is generated on a jet solder tank. The dross is a mixture of melted solder and oxide. A worker takes out the dross from the jet solder tank, and throws it away. Thus, a large amount of the solder is consumed. The present invention relates to a separating device for separating oxide and solder from dross. A container (21) is provided with a heater (22). A cover (24) is set over the container (21) to be freely attachable or detachable, and further a non-oxidizing gas supplying opening (28) is made in the cover (24) or the container (21). A stirring spatula (25) for stirring the surface of a melted solder (23) put into the container (21) is set near the surface of the melted solder (23).

Abstract: Provided herewith is a method for preheating a glass mixture to be fed into a glass furnace. The method comprises separately preheating at least some of the materials which comprise the load, and then subsequently remixing the preheated materials and passing the load to the glass furnace.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method for removing particulate contaminants from a fluid stream where the particulate contaminants have densities equal to or approximating the density of the carrier fluid.

Abstract: An iron based product having at least a sufficient total ferrous content by weight to render the product commercially feasible wherein the product is derived by a process comprising the beneficiation of kish slag waste material having a relatively low ferrous material content before beneficiation. The resulting iron based product has a total ferrous content of substantially 90% by weight thereby making it both practical and economical for the reintroduction into iron and/or steel making processes utilizing an injection method or by briquetting at at least a portion of the resulting product. The beneficiation process involves the heating of the waste material to an extent at least sufficient for drying, separating the high sulphur slag from a remainder of the waste material and subsequently classifying the remainder of the waste material, once separated from the high sulphur slag by particle size.

Abstract: A method for producing a mineral filler and pozzolan product from fly ash is provided in which fly ash is dry processed in an air classifier to obtain a fine fraction having an average particle size of from about 0.1 to 5 microns and a coarse fraction having an average particle size of from about 6 to 20 microns. The fine fraction is then preferably passed through a magnetic separator to remove ferrous iron oxides and may optionally be treated with a surface modifier to form a mineral filler. The coarse fraction is preferably passed through a 100 mesh screen to form a pozzolan product.

Abstract: In order to recover the various components of multiple layer materials, a method uses a refiner or disperser including mutually opposing rotating discs having material engaging surfaces or elements such as teeth. The method includes: adjusting a gap between the discs so that a material is subjected to a shear force that mutually separates its material layers in the form of pieces or fragments in the absence of any substantial disintegration of the layers; pumping the separated pieces of the various layers together with a supplied suspension liquid to a separator; and, separating readily pulped or slushed pieces of the material suspended in the suspension liquid from pieces of the suspended material that are not readily pulped or slushed. The pumping of the separated pieces and suspension liquid to the separator can be via a collection vessel.

Abstract: Processes for purification of saline minerals using magnetic separation are disclosed. In particular, saline minerals can include trona, borates, potash, sulfates, nitrates and chlorides. The magnetic separation can include high intensity magnetic separation which can be conducted at greater than about 20,000 Gauss and up to greater than about 50,000 Gauss. Other embodiments of the invention include calcination of a saline mineral in an inert atmosphere or in an oxygen-containing atmosphere at a high temperature prior to magnetic separation. A further embodiment of the invention includes pre-alignment of particles on a surface to align the particles of high magnetic force during a magnetic separation step. Also disclosed are various embodiments of magnetic separation which include subjecting an ore to a preliminary magnetic field prior to magnetic separation.

Abstract: An improved method for separating electrically conductive components of an ore or mineral sand from electrically non-conductive components of the ore or mineral sand is disclosed which includes processing the ore, adding a polymer, such as an anionic polymer, to the processed ore, drying the polymer and ore, and then feeding the ore and polymer through an electrostatic separator. The addition of the anionic polymer to the processed ore increases the efficiency of the electrostatic separation process.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for classifying a particulate hydrophilic polymer and a sieving device, which can carry out a classification in a small separation particle diameter with high efficiency and exhibit classification ability inherent in the sieving device. The process comprises the step of classifying a particulate hydrophilic polymer in dry particle size with a sieving device, wherein the sieving device is used in a heated and/or thermally insulated state. The sieving device comprises a thermally insulating means.

Abstract: Dumped solid waste is mixed with sand and fed through a shredder. Sorters sort aluminum glass and ferrous materials from the shredded waste, and an indirect fired dryer heats the remaining shredded waste. Dust in gases from the dryer is removed in a bag house. Sand is added to the dried, shredded waste, and the waste is cooled and stored in surge storage. The shredded, dried, cooled and stored waste is fed to one or more reducing chamber units. Waste is moved through individual chambers within the units with augers and is gravitationally fed between the chambers. Gases from the chambers are condensed, and the condensate is stored as oils. Solid products from the reducing chamber units are cooled. The sand is separated from the solid product. The resultant solid product and oils may be sold as fuel and feedstock, or the resultant product may be pulverized and combined with the oil in a slurry which is used as a fuel or a feedstock.

Abstract: A method for recovering densified plastic from mixed waste containing plastic and less than about 15 weight percent paper, and having a density ranging from about 2 to about 3 pounds per cubic foot, the method comprising the steps of shredding the mixed waste at ambient conditions; charging a batch of shredded waste weighing from about 250 to about 650 lbs. to a densifier; further shredding the mixed waste inside the densifier with a motor-driven rotating blade while monitoring surface temperature of the plastic inside the densifier, amperage drawn by the motor-driver and vibration level within the densifier; continuously shredding waste inside the densifier for a period ranging from about 5 to about 20 minutes, until the surface temperature of the plastic reaches at least about 220.degree. F.

Abstract: There is described a process for cleansing contaminants, such as oil, PCB, PAH, heavy metals and the like, from a heterogeneous material, such as sand, gravel, earth, oil gravel, asphalt, drill borings ("kaks") and the like. More specifically the invention relates to a process comprising the steps: i) that a sorption agent is added to the material, and that the material and the sorption agent are mixed/kneade sufficiently for a considerable portion of the contamination to be extracted from the material and absorbed by the sorption agent, and that ii) thereafter the sorption agent is separated from the material on the basis of specific gravity/particle size by means of an applied flow of gas, so that the sorption agent is led with the flow and can be collected in a separate fraction.

Abstract: A method for producing a mineral filler from fly ash is provided in which fly ash is dry processed in an air classifier to obtain a fine fraction having an average particle size of from about 0.1 to 5 microns. The fine fraction is then preferably passed through a magnetic separator to remove ferrous iron oxides and may optionally be treated with a surface modifier. The resulting processed fly ash may be used in a wide variety of filler applications.

Abstract: A stream of mixed particulates of two or more materials having different induction heating characteristics (i.e., distinct thermal, dielectric strength and/or loss tangent characteristics), such as recycled glass cullet including fragments of glass mixed with fragments of glass-like contaminants such as ceramics, pyroceramics, tempered glass or the like, is sorted using the differing characteristics of the glass and contaminants to cause detectable differences in temperature. A thick heating layer many particles deep is formed on a conveyor path for heating the stream in a compact mass for uniform heating. An electromagnetic induction heater applies microwave energy between 0.915 and 2.45 GHz for heating the mass, which is then spread into a thin detecting layer, for example one particle deep, on a further conveyor. The detecting layer is digitally imaged using a thermal camera.

Abstract: A process for continuously discriminating between a contaminated plastic material containing trapped volatile contaminants and plastic material which contains an acceptable threshold of contaminants comprising first supplying a continuous source of plastic material wherein the plastic material contains trapped volatile contaminants and feeding a sample of the plastic material preferably to the input section of an auger conveyor. The auger conveyor contains a barrel and a transfer screw positioned within the barrel with flights thereon for conveying the plastic material, the auger also connected to an output section which itself is connected to a detector for detecting trapped volatile contaminants.

Abstract: A process is provided for recovering a saline mineral from an ore containing the saline mineral and impurities. In one aspect, the process generally includes the steps of separating a first portion of impurities from the ore by density separation, electrostatically separating a second portion of impurities from the ore, and magnetically separating a third portion of impurities from the ore. The process can further include the steps of crushing the ore and dividing the crushed ore into a plurality of size fractions before the above-referenced separating steps. In another aspect, the process includes the steps of calcining the ore and subsequently separating a first portion of impurities by density separation. Indirect heating may be utilized for the calcining process and, preferably, calcining gases are recycled and utilized for heating fluidizing another portion of ore. Water vapor may be condensed from the calcining gas and utilized for other purposes.

Abstract: An apparatus for blowing synthetic resin into a furnace including a first processing line for processing film-shaped synthetic resins into a granular synthetic resin material; a second processing line for processing non-film-shaped synthetic resins into a granular synthetic resin material; a primary storage silo; and a blowing station for supplying the granular synthetic resin material into a furnace.

Abstract: A method and a device for the separation of semiconductor material has the separation procedure carried out on screens coated with ice made of ultrapure water, optionally mixed with particles of semiconductor material. During the separation, the screens are sprayed with ultrapure water and the screen holes are cut free.

Abstract: A process and an apparatus for separating particles according to the strength of their magnetic susceptibilities includes a mass of loose particles transported on a moving surface over a plurality of long, thin, magnets separated by thin straps of ferromagnetic metal. The magnets are arranged such that the polarities of two adjacent magnets engaging opposite sides of the same ferromagnetic strap are identical. Particles are separated on the moving surface and when that surface passes around a horizontal axis, the particles fall off the surface into selected areas according to the magnetic susceptibilities of the particles. Cooling air flows between the moving surface and magnets to enhance operation and the useful life of the magnets.

Abstract: A process for reclaiming a consumed grinding suspension which has been used for machining silicon, quartz or ceramic is made from a cutting fluid, in which abrasive grain and abraded material are dispersed. In a first process step, the grinding suspension is carefully separated, by means of a drying step, into a solid component and a liquid component. In a second process step, the solid component is separated into abrasive grain and abraded material by a separation method.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method and system for sorting recycled solid waste materials, such as plastics, by a liquid-fluidized bed classifier (LFBC) technique. The application of a LFBC to the separation of plastics, and in particular plastic particles, is shown to be advantageous for a number of reasons. Firstly, the primary fluidization medium, i.e., water, is present in large quantities during conventional chopping, washing, and flotation operations that are performed during plastics recycling operations. Secondly, the natural density distribution of the major types of recycled plastics favors segregation by density in water, i.e., the "lighter-than-water" polyolefins, polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene (PE) from the "heavier-than-water" polystyrene (PS) PVC and PET plastics. The latter types of plastics have been found to separate spatially in an upflow LFBC, while the "lighter-than-water" plastics can be collected at the top of the column, thereby combining flotation and classification in a single step.

Abstract: Flatware that can be quickly and easily sorted when placed in a liquid solution, the flatware encompasses three classes, spoons, forks and knives. The spoons have a generally uniform buoyancy so as to float at a first level in the liquid solution, the forks have a generally uniform buoyancy so as to float at a second level in the liquid solution, and the knives have a generally uniform buoyancy so as to float at a third level in the liquid solution. The flatware floats at different levels in the liquid solution which provides the separation of the spoons, forks and knives in the liquid solution and enables the retrieval of the separated flatware in a sorted fashion. An additional method of sorting and removing the flatware from the liquid solution includes mixing in a prescribed amount of salt solution to the liquid solution and/or raising the temperature of the liquid solution a predetermined amount.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cyclone separator for separating oil and water and removing suspended solids. It comprises a generally cylindrical first portion with an open end and a closed end. A generally axial overflow outlet is provided in the closed end and a moveable member is associated with this closed end having a plurality of orifices of progressively smaller diameter than the overflow outlet. This moveable member may be moved such that any selected one of the plurality of orifices may be axially aligned with the overflow outlet. The separator includes at least two radially balanced feed injection ports in the cylindrical first portion adjacent to the closed end thereof. A converging tapered second section with open ends is axially flow connected to the open end of the cylindrical first portion and a converging tapered third portion with open ends is axially flow connected to the tapered second portion. A fourth generally cylindrical portion is axially flow connected to the third tapered portion.

Abstract: Kaolin clay materials containing discoloring impurities can be beneficiated by microwave irradiation in the presence of water and a polyprotic acid component to produce a beneficiated kaolin clay material having improved color and brightness.

Abstract: Organic contaminants are removed from RPET flakes by a process that includes steam-stripping the contaminants out from the matrix of the RPET flakes. In an alternative embodiment, the RPET flakes are first comminuted to prepare RPET particles, and the RPET particles are thereafter steam-stripped.

Abstract: A method for recovering materials, in particular rejects or scraps of sheathed cables or wires, comprises introducing the parts into an enclosed space and placing them on a support provided with a drain, removing the oxygen from the enclosed space, raising the temperature inside the enclosed spaced until it reaches a melting temperature of one of the materials so that it drains through the drain, collecting the melted material in a recovery tank maintained at a temperature less than or equal to the melting temperature, then raising the temperature inside the enclosed space to cause the material remaining on the parts to dissipate in the form of vapour or gas, and recovering after cooling, the material drained into the recovery tank and the material or materials remaining on the support.

Abstract: A method of separating solid waste materials, in the form of dried particles of substantially uniform size, into constituent materials on the basis of density, with primary stage processing utilizing one or more fluidized bed and cyclonic separator assemblies to separate materials on the basis of density, is provided by the invention. Secondary stage processing utilizing combinations of vibratory conveyors and melt separation assemblies, is also provided. As the waste materials move through the separator assemblies the initial stream is further refined into a plurality of streams of increasingly specific densities as a result of air flow separation of lighter particles from heavier particles in each assembly. Further refined separation may be achieved through the use of vibratory conveyors and melt separation.

Abstract: A process for removing iron impurities, inter alia iron or iron compounds, from petroleum oil distillation residues is disclosed in which a high gradient magnetic separator incorporates a pack of ferromagnetic fillers in the form of a generally flat or curved sheet-like strip. The ferromagnetic filler is a Fe--Cr alloy of a selected composition and the strip is of selected geometric characteristics such that the rate of removal of iron impurities can be maintained substantially at a maximum throughout the separation mode of operation prior to and after washing of the ferromagnetic filler.

Abstract: Thermoplastic articles are removed from a mixed waste stream and are sorted by heating the articles along the path of the waste stream to different softening temperatures of the different types of articles before the articles contact the separating bodies which have surface formations that are forced into the softened zones of the thermoplastic article so that the articles are impaled upon the body. The articles are then removed. The force with which the softened articles are impaled is obtained by a support or counterforce member juxtaposed with the separating bodies.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for simultaneously preheating cullet and removing pollutants from glass furnace gases is disclosed. Raw moist cullet having fine glass dust material and other impurities adhered to its surface is heated by furnace gases which remove the moisture and the impurities by entrainment. The dry, clean cullet is then electrically charged and used to filter the exhaust gases which have been electrostatically charged.

Abstract: A method for treating solid municipal waste material including placing solid municipal waste in a rotating chamber having an interior at ambient pressure, heating the waste at ambient pressure, and controlling the moisture content of the waste.

Abstract: Provided are methods of dry recovering useable fiber from paper making sludge. In the methods, paper making sludge is dewatered and dried. The dewatered and dried sludge is then fiberized using a dry fiberizing machine into a fibrous material consisting of fibers and other material including fiber fines, clay, filler material and the like. The fibers in the fibrous material are then separated out in a sifting process. The separated fibers are then ready for use in paper making without further processing. The fiber fines and filler material separated from the fibers is also collected and can be used as filler material in other composite material applications.

Abstract: A process for regenerating used foundry sand having high oolitic level and, more particularly, a process as aforesaid wherein the used foundry sand is subjected to magnetic separation by one or more high power magnets for dividing the used foundry sand into a first highly magnetic stream containing a high degree of oolite particles and a second less magnetic stream having a relatively high degree of sand particles.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus (10) for dividing meat components such as fat and lean mean, the combined fat and lean meat are extruded into one or more chains of material wherein the fat and lean meat are divided into discrete sections along the length thereof. Each chain of material passes through a conduit (14) and the character of material along each chain is sensed by a suitable sensor (18). The fat and lean meat are then diverted by a diverter (20) functioning in delayed response to the sensor (18) in order to separate the fat and lean meat. The apparatus (10) includes an arrangement for preventing the buildup of material on the internal surface of each conduit (14) and thereby prevents any such buildup from interfering with the operation of the sensor (18) or diverter (20). The buildup preventing arrangement preferably includes a heater element (54) associated with each conduit (14) to heat the inner wall of the conduits.

Abstract: A method of treating fly ash which has a moisture content and which also has a high carbon particle content includes the steps of heating the fly ash to a temperature sufficient to break the bond between the fly ash and the carbon particles caused by the moisture content, applying the heated fly ash in a relatively thin layer to the surface of a belt-type conveyor and subjecting the layer of heated fly ash to the effects of an electrostatic charging zone while repeatedly mechanically rearranging the orientation of the fly ash particles in the zone for causing the carbon particles to take a charge and become attracted to an electrode so that the same may be separated from the layer. Apparatus for separating carbon particles from fly ash includes a generally horizontal conveyor, and a hopper which applies fly ash to be treated in a layer on the surface of a conductive belt.