Abstract: A method for processing a flowable product using a centrifuge includes pretreating the flowable product so that particles in the flowable product are increasingly attracted by electrically charged components, feeding the flowable product into the disc stack, generating an electric charge on the discs of the disc stack, and separating the charged particles from the flowable product within the disc stack under the influence of electrostatic attractive forces and a centrifugal field.

Abstract: The invention provides an integrated separator system for the preconcentration of a material comprising one or more grizzly bars and one or more electrodes which provide a high voltage pulse (HVP) discharge to the material.

Abstract: Field flow fractionation device includes a channel switching unit for switching the connection of a second carrier fluid supply unit to any one of the second inlet port of an upper separation cell, the first inlet port of a lower separation cell, or the second inlet port of a lower separation cell. Furthermore, the second carrier fluid supply unit is connected to the second inlet port of an upper separation cell during the process of focusing to generate flow of carrier fluid counter to the flow of carrier fluid from the first inlet port within the upper separation cell, whereas the second carrier fluid supply unit is connected to the first inlet port or the second inlet port of a lower separation cell after conclusion of focusing in the upper separation cell.

Abstract: A flow-type field-flow fractionation apparatus 1 includes a first heater 14 and a second heater 16. The first heater 14 heats a carrier fluid between a first pump 12 and a separation cell 3. The second heater 16 heats a focus fluid between a second pump 15 and the separation cell 3. Thus, the carrier fluid heated by the first heater 14 is sent by the first pump 12 and flows into the separation cell 3, and the focus fluid heated by the second heater 16 is sent by the second pump 15 and flows into the separation cell 3. This can stabilize temperatures of the carrier fluid and the focus fluid flowing into the separation cell 3. Then, when an analysis is performed using the flow-type field-flow fractionation apparatus 1, the analysis can be performed with high reproducibility.

Abstract: Devices and methods for performing dielectrophoresis are described. The devices contain sample channel which is separated by physical barriers from electrode channels which receive electrodes. The devices and methods may be used for the separation and analysis of particles in solution, including the separation and isolation of cells of a specific type. As the electrodes do not make contact with the sample, electrode fouling is avoided and sample integrity is better maintained.

Abstract: A liquid deposition system comprises a liquid delivery assembly including a dispensing probe having a sidewall including a first end having a liquid port and a second end having a tip, and a flow path opening at the tip and fluidly connected with the liquid port. The system includes a gas injection assembly with a manifold having a gas nozzle, a nozzle opening, and a gas port, the gas nozzle configured to eject a substantially laminar gas stream so that the gas stream travels through a travel path, the tip of the dispensing probe extending into the travel path. The liquid port is fluidly connectable with a liquid source and the gas port is fluidly connectable with a pressurized gas source, so that a liquid micro droplet is formed at the tip. The laminar gas stream separates the micro droplet from the tip and carries it through the travel path.

Abstract: [Object] To provide a particle sorting apparatus, a particle sorting method, and a program that are capable of efficiently sorting particles even when sizes of particles to be sorted are not uniform. [Solving Means] A particle sorting apparatus includes a charge section that imparts charges to at least a part of droplets discharged from an orifice from which a fluid stream is generated, and a charge control section that adjusts a charge amount to be imparted to the droplets by the charge section. Further, the charge control section is structured to adjust the charge amount according to sizes of particles included in the droplets.

Abstract: A system for performing liquid treatment using ionized gas comprises a plasma membrane reactor. The plasma membrane reactor includes a gas zone, and ion membrane along with electrodes to create a plasma. The membrane allows ions to pass through and contact the liquid thereby treating the liquid.

Abstract: Arrangements are described for evaluating characteristics of target molecules. A biochip is received which includes a substrate to which charged probe molecules are attached. The probe molecules have a marker to allow generating signals indicative of the distance of a portion of the probe molecule from the substrate. The signals are detected and means for an external electric field is generated to which the probe molecules are exposed. A control means acts to: (A) apply an external electric field causing the portion of the probe molecule to approach the substrate, and (B) apply an external electric field causing the portion of the probe molecule to move away from the substrate. The signal is recorded as a function of time during step (A) and/or step (B). Steps (A) and (B) are repeated for a predetermined number of times and the recorded signals are combined.

Abstract: An electrostatic precipitator is constructed with collecting and repelling electrodes. The collecting electrode is partially shielded from gas shear forces by a shielding structure. The shielding structure is mounted to reduce gas flow along a surface of the collector and includes passages for charged particles to travel to be captured by the collector.

Abstract: A method and to a device for the electrostatic separation of fine dust particles from gases that flow through a housing (1) containing perforated plates (6) and electrodes (4, 5). An electric field is created between the electrode (4) on the inflow opening side and the electrode or electrodes (5) having positive polarity on the outflow side. The removal of negatively charged fine dust particles (9) is carried out by deposition on the inflow side of the perforated plates (6), and the removal of positively charged fine dust particles (11) is carried out on the outflow side. Fine dust particles without charge (10) are charged after the last perforated plate (6) in an ionization chamber (8) and deposit on the outflow side of the last perforated plate (6).

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus are provided for purging charged powder particles from a mixture of ferromagnetic carrier particles and said powder particles. One example embodiment may include a powder purging apparatus comprising a support surface comprising a first side for supporting said carrier particles; a plurality of magnets, arranged on a second side of said support surface for generating magnetic fields at said first side to attract said carrier particles for forming a magnetic brush of said carrier particles, said magnetic fields and said support surface moveable relative to each other; an attracting surface facing said first side and spaced apart therefrom; and a field generator adapted for generating an electrical field between said attracting surface and said support surface for attracting said powder particles away from the carrier particles and towards said attracting surface, wherein said magnetic brush of carrier particles is spaced apart from said attracting surface.

Abstract: A method of separating material includes providing a mixture of a first material, such as a semiconductor, and a second material, such as an insulator or a different semiconductor. The mixture can be irradiated using a light source at a wavelength that causes the first material's conductivity to increase while leaving the second material's conductivity (substantially) unchanged. Placing the mixture in contact with a ground electrode discharges the first material but not the second material due to the difference in their conductivities. Applying an electric field to the discharged mixture separates the discharged first material from the second material.

Abstract: Arrangements are described for evaluating characteristics of target molecules. A biochip is received which includes a substrate to which charged probe molecules are attached. The probe molecules have a marker to allow generating signals indicative of the distance of a portion of the probe molecule from the substrate. The signals are detected and means for an external electric field is generated to which the probe molecules are exposed. A control means acts to: (A) apply an external electric field causing the portion of the probe molecule to approach the substrate, and (B) apply an external electric field causing the portion of the probe molecule to move away from the substrate. The signal is recorded as a function of time during step (A) and/or step (B). Steps (A) and (B) are repeated for a predetermined number of times and the recorded signals are combined.

Abstract: The invention refers to a method and capacitive sensor for counting aerosol nanoparticles in an electric way. Aerosol particles, onto which a fluid was applied in an earlier process by known methods, change the capacitance of the dielectric of the capacitor when entering its field, which causes an electric signal. The method provides for detection of aerosol particles in a wide scope of their presence in the air and is not specific for any shape or chemical composition of nanoparticles.

Abstract: Apparatus to capture aerosols, fluid jetting apparatus, and aerosol diverters are disclosed. An example aerosol capture apparatus includes a corona wire to generate ions, and a reference plate positioned below the corona wire and above a substrate on which a fluid is to be deposited, the reference plate to provide a reference potential to direct the ions toward the reference plate to force aerosol particles associated with the fluid toward the reference plate.

Abstract: A method for separating a granular synthetic material from a loose mass of various synthetic materials includes: conveying the granular mass along a trajectory having a rubbing surface subjecting the mass falling from the rubbing surface to an electrical field; and collecting at least one of the masses separated by the electrical field. The mass advances in a single layer on the rubbing surface, while maintaining the single layer contact with the rubbing surface, the rubbing surface being subjected to repeated acceleration in opposite directions in the plane of the rubbing surface, or tangential thereto to move the mass on the surface in order to improve the electrostatic charge. The rubbing surface is made of or clad with a material having intermediate triboelectric properties with respect to those of the granular mass, and is clad with a same material as that which it is intended to separate from the mass.

Abstract: Provided is a sorting apparatus including: a flow channel device including a flow channel through which a fluid including particles flows and an operation electrode portion that causes a dielectrophoretic force to act on the particles in the flow channel; and a controller configured to detect characteristics of the particles flowing through the flow channel, generate a voltage signal by a pulse modulation using a square pulse based on the detected characteristics of the particles, and output the voltage signal to the operation electrode portion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a component comprising a tubular structure having interior and exterior surfaces with the interior surface defining an interior passage through the tubular structure, said tubular structure extending longitudinally between opposed ends. The component also includes a resistive film bound to the interior surface of the tubular structure having a pattern configured so that when the resistive film is connected to an electrical source, an electric field is established within the interior passage with an electrical potential that differs along the length of the interior passage while each plane perpendicular to the length of the interior passage is equipotential. Also disclosed are a method of making the component, a charged particle transportation chamber system comprising the component, and a method of identifying and/or separating charged particles.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for treating materials containing a mixture of plastic materials and metal materials, said method including: —crushing the material to be treated; pyrolysis of the crushed material; a first magnetic separation performed on the pyrolysed material providing, on the one hand, a ferrous metal fraction and, on the other hand, non-ferrous residue; —a second magnetic separation performed on the non-ferrous residue providing, on the one hand, a non-ferrous metal fraction and, on the other hand, non-magnetic residue. The invention also relates to a facility for implementing said method.

Abstract: Among other things, for use in directional motion of chiral objects in a mixture, a field is applied across the chamber and is rotating relative to the chamber to cause rotation of the chiral objects. The rotation of the objects causes them to move directionally based on their chirality. The method applies to sugars, proteins, and peptides, among other things, and can be used in a wide variety of applications.

Abstract: A microfluidic device for size-based particle separation and methods for its use, where the microfluidic device comprises: (a) an inlet reservoir, where the inlet reservoir is configured for communication with an inlet electrode, (b) an insulator constriction coupled to the inlet reservoir via a microchannel, where the insulator constriction comprises an insulating material, and (c) a plurality of outlet channels each defining a first end and a second end, where the first end of each of the plurality of outlet channels is coupled to the insulator constriction, where the second end of each of the plurality of outlet channels is coupled to one of a plurality of outlet reservoirs, and where the plurality of outlet reservoirs are configured for communication with one or more outlet electrodes.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for separating dirt and short fibers from a fiber material (42) in a preparatory machine for of a spinning apparatus. A conveying means (40) retains the fiber material (42) that is made up of a plurality of fibers. The device comprises at least one pair of electrodes (43, 44, 50, 51, 60, 61, 70, 71), and the pair of electrodes (43, 44, 50, 51, 60, 61, 70, 71) is connected to a source of high voltage (48) for the purpose of generating an electrical field having a field strength of (?). The pair of electrodes (43, 44, 50, 51, 60, 61, 70, 71) is disposed such that it is directed toward the fiber material (42), and the fiber material (42) is being moved in relation to the pair of electrodes (43, 44, 50, 51, 60, 61, 70, 71).

Abstract: The present invention provides an electrostatic separation method and an electrostatic separation device each of which, even in a case where the concentration of unburned components of coal ash produced by a boiler of a coal-fired power plant is as high as 15% to 30%, can stably separate the ash without generating spark, reuse the high unburned component ash as fuel, and reuse the low unburned component ash as, for example, an auxiliary material of concrete. The electrostatic separation device may include a substantially flat plate lower side electrode and an upper side electrode including a high dielectric resin element. A separation zone is formed in a region of electrostatic force between the lower side electrode and the upper side electrode, with one of the electrodes having positive polarity and the other having negative polarity. Unburned carbon ash in the coal ash supplied to the separation zone is separated.

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

Abstract: A flow channel device includes a flow channel in which a fluid containing a particle flows, a plurality of branch channels branched from the flow channel, and an electrode unit. The electrode unit includes a first electrode having a first area and a second electrode having a second area different from the first area, and is configured to form a guide electrical field in the flow channel, which guides the particle to a predetermined branch channel out of the plurality of branch channels. The second electrode is opposed to the first electrode so that the flow channel is sandwiched between the first electrode and the second electrode.

Abstract: A method and a device for electrostatically separating polyvalent granular insulating materials that have good properties, are energy efficient, and easily adapt to ambient atmospheric conditions and to physiochemical properties of the granules to be separated.

Abstract: A separation arrangement is provided for separating between particles of different materials having different densities and comprised in a mixture of fine particles. The arrangement comprises: a solid particles feed ingress means, a solid particles pushing/pulling means and at least one mesh adapted to stop particles of the lighter material. The particles comprised in the mixture are allowed to free fall within the separation arrangement, and particles of the lighter material are being extracted away from the free falling particles by the solid particles pushing/pulling means and conveyed towards the at least one mesh. The particles of the heavier material are allowed to complete their free fall and to reach the lower part of the separation arrangement.

Abstract: A method for separating bitumen from crude oil sands comprises subjecting crude oil sands to vibration selected to cause bitumen to separate from crude oil sands and filtering the separated bitumen from the crude oil sands.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for high resolution separation of ions based on their high field and low-field mobility properties is described. An elongate ion separation channel is defined by a plurality of channel walls. First and second channel walls have first and second spaced ion separation electrode assemblies respectively. A power supply applies a periodic asymmetric potential to one or both of the electrode assemblies so as to generate a periodically asymmetric electric field in the channel for ion mobility separation. The channel walls define an ion separation channel of substantially helical shape.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pipe separator (5) for electrostatically separating particles of a mixture of valuable materials, e.g., a mineral salt mixture, having different electrical charges, comprising a carrier pipe (10), wherein the carrier pipe has two field electrodes (8, 9) arranged opposite each other for generating an electric field, wherein the field electrodes (8, 9) are covered toward the inside by an insulating layer.

Abstract: A process for purifying plastic from a waste stream can include separating a waste stream into two or more mixtures of flakes with each mixture containing one or more plastic types and performing an automated sorting process on the first mixture to increase the weight percentage of a plastic family in the first mixture. The separation process can include at least one process selected from the group consisting of density separation, electrostatic sorting, froth flotation, and density differential alteration. Prior to the automated sorting process, the first mixture can include at least 80% by weight of one or more plastics from the plastic family.

Abstract: Textured heterogeneous surfaces and related articles as can be used in conjunction with methods for selective sensing and/or separation. When used for selective particle separation such a system can comprise a heterogeneous surface comprising a surface member and a plurality of components extending therefrom, such components spaced about and having a surface density, with heterogeneity comprising different interactions of the surface member and of the extended components with a particle exposed thereto. Various surface heterogeneities and different interactions can be utilized. However, in certain embodiments, competing electrostatic interactions, or a combination of electrostatic and non-electrostatic interactions, with a particle can be utilized. Such a system can utilize a surface member having a charge difference with respect to the components extending therefrom.

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, a charger for use in a system for separating particles from a fluid flow is disclosed. In one embodiment, the charger comprises a body including an inlet for receiving the particles, a chamber in which the particles are received, and an outlet for discharging the particles. A rotor having a generally non-permeable surface is positioned in the chamber and rotated for contacting and charging the particles. In another aspect of the invention, grid electrodes with elongated fingers are proposed for use in a novel separation system. Related methods of charging and separating particles are also disclosed.

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

Abstract: The present invention provides an electrostatic separation method and an electrostatic separation device each of which, even in a case where the concentration of unburned components of coal ash produced by a boiler of a coal-fired power plant is as high as 15% to 30%, can stably separate the ash without generating spark, reuse the high unburned component ash as fuel, and reuse the low unburned component ash as, for example, an auxiliary material of concrete. The electrostatic separation device may include a substantially flat plate lower side electrode and an upper side electrode including a high dielectric resin element. A separation zone is formed in a region of electrostatic force between the lower side electrode and the upper side electrode, with one of the electrodes having positive polarity and the other having negative polarity. Unburned carbon ash in the coal ash supplied to the separation zone is separated.

Abstract: The present invention provides an electrostatic separation method and an electrostatic separation device each of which, even in a case where the concentration of unburned components of coal ash produced by a boiler of a coal-fired power plant is as high as 15% to 30%, can stably separate the ash (into high unburned component ash and low unburned component ash) without generating spark, reuse the high unburned component ash as fuel, and reuse the low unburned component ash as, for example, an auxiliary material of concrete.

Abstract: A method for sorting out fine particles from a particle mixture arranged on a surface of a support element wherein the particle mixture comprises particles of different sizes, in particular fine particles with a diameter of up to 1 mm, where the fine particles are at least partially sorted out from the particle mixture by means of an electrostatically charged separating element.

Abstract: In an electrostatic separator or a magnetic separator, prior to electrically charging or magnetization of particles in order to carry out separation of mixed powder of particles having different properties from each other, classification is performed by a classifier so that the content of fine powder having a spherical equivalent diameter of 10 ?m or smaller is 15 mass % or less. After the classification, prior to electrostatic separation or magnetic separation, an operation of dispersing the mixed powder of particles may be carried out.

Abstract: A lifting electrode for a high-tension electrostatic separator. The high tension electrostatic separator having a rotating drum that is connected to ground and an ionizing electrode that generates a corona discharge of charged ions. The lifting electrode comprising a composite of a non-conductive polymer impregnated with conductive particles.

Abstract: Among other things, to cause directional motion of chiral objects in a mixture in a chamber, a field is rotated relative to a chamber to cause rotation of the chiral objects. The rotation of the objects caused them to move directionally based on their chirality.

Abstract: Embodiments of a method for selecting particles, such as based on their morphology, is disclosed. In a particular example, the particles are charged and acquire different amounts of charge, or have different charge distributions, based on their morphology. The particles are then sorted based on their flow properties. In a specific example, the particles are sorted using a differential mobility analyzer, which sorts particles, at least in part, based on their electrical mobility. Given a population of particles with similar electrical mobilities, the disclosed process can be used to sort particles based on the net charge carried by the particle, and thus, given the relationship between charge and morphology, separate the particles based on their morphology.

Abstract: Particles are separated, concentrated, or mixed within a fluid by means of a fluid-containing cell having a longitudinal axis, a cross-sectional area generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, and at least one particle motivating force directionally interacting with at least one recurrent circulating fluid flow generally aligned with the longitudinal axis within the fluid containing cell.

Abstract: A method of realizing selective separation of metallic single-walled carbon nanotubes and semiconducting carbon nanotubes from bundled carbon nanotubes; and obtaining of metallic single-walled carbon nanotubes separated at high purity through the above method. Metallic single-walled carbon nanotubes are dispersed one by one from bundled carbon nanotubes not only by the use of a difference in interaction with amine between metallic single-walled carbon nanotubes and semiconducting carbon nanotubes due to a difference in electrical properties between metallic single-walled carbon nanotubes and semiconducting carbon nanotubes but also by the use of the fact that an amine is an important factor in SWNTs separation. The thus dispersed carbon nanotubes are subjected to centrifugation, thereby attaining separation from non-dispersed semiconducting carbon nanotubes.

Abstract: Multistep recycling processes for preparing recycled plastic materials. The processes feature a sequence of operations selected from the group consisting of preprocessing operations, size reduction operations, gravity concentration operations, color sorting, sorting by thickness, friction, or differential terminal velocity or drag in air, surface to mass control operations, separation processes enhanced by narrow surface to mass distributions, blending operations, and extrusion and compounding operations. Plastic-rich mixtures are subjected to the process, and one or more recycled plastic materials are collected as outputs of the sequence of processes.

Abstract: An electrostatic separation system for separating fine metal and plastics is disclosed. An electrostatic separation system according to the present invention comprises a negative electrostatic induction plate and positive metal net made of special materials, which have appropriate dimensions and an appropriate space between them to improve separation efficiency, and a separating plate which is appropriately positioned to improve separation efficiency. The electrostatic separation system has processing capacity more than 5 times in comparison to conventional electrostatic selection systems and is able to separate fine particles of 0.1 mm in size. In addition, the electrostatic separation system has wide application in recycling other useful recourses as well as separating the mixture of fine particle metal and non-metal materials.

Abstract: A separator and related separation methods are for intended use in separating particles having a selected charge from a particle mixture entrained in or carried by a fluid flow. The separator comprises a tubular, elongated body for receiving the fluid flow. At least one and preferably a pair of electrodes may be provided to create an electric field in at least a portion of the body through which the fluid flow passes, and at least one partition defines first and second channels for receiving the flow downstream of the portion of the body including the electric field. In one embodiment, the electrode is oriented such that a direction of gravity acting on particles having a selected charge passing through the electric field directs the selectively charged particles towards the first or second electrode. A system may incorporate the separator, along with a diffuser.

Abstract: The electrostatic separation of ground crude potassium salts containing kieserite is accomplished by mixing the ground crude potassium salt with a conditioning agent containing a combination of an aromatic carboxylic acid or its derivatives, an ammonium salt of an aromatic carboxylic acid, as well as an unbranched fatty alcohol having a chain length of C10 to C15, and subsequently triboelectrically charging the mixture at a relative humidity of 1-10%. The mixture is then separated into a crude kieserite fraction and a crude potassium fraction by means of an electrostatic separation method. This method increases kieserite yield and the selectivity of a subsequent treatment by means of flotation.

Abstract: A classification apparatus for classifying and separating particles having particle sizes within a predetermined range is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment of the classification apparatus, a center electrode (3) and an outside electrode (4) generate an electric field for classifying charged fine particles according to electric mobility. In the upper part of a housing (1), a sheath gas supply portion (7) is provided. An aerosol supply portion (11) has an introduction port (11a) provided on the outside electrode (4) side in a classification region (5), and supplies a charged aerosol at a constant flow rate through the introduction port (11a). On the downstream side in the flow of a sheath gas in the classification region (5), a larger-size particle discharge portion (13) is provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides deflection plates for use in a flow-type particle sorter that are resistant to wetting. The deflection plates include a gas-porous, conductive plate. A gas, such as air, is passed through the plate from the outer face (away from the particle flow) towards the inner face (towards the particle flow). The flow of gas prevents condensation on the inner face of the defection plate.