Abstract: An apparatus and method to segregate particles suspended in a fluid with an obstacle field in the flow path of the fluid. The particles may be dispersed after an interaction with obstacles in the obstacle field. The obstacle-particle interactions may result in an asymmetrical particle shift or bump in which the particles are differentially dispersed relative to the obstacle and the fluid flow. Individual obstacles having properties that are asymmetrical are arranged creating asymmetrical gaps between adjacent pairs of obstacles to separate particles flowing through the device.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a process for separating mixtures of solids based on their densities. The present invention also relates to the use of a separating liquid (L) for separating plastic solids from metal-containing solids based on their densities, wherein the separating liquid (L) has a density d3 such that 1.5<d3<2.0; wherein the solids have a particle size ranging from 0.1 to 100 mm. The separating liquid (L) is preferably a fluorinated fluid.

Abstract: Methods and systems for the flotation recovery of value materials from sulfide mineral sources are disclosed. The flotation recovery of the value materials is performed in a fluidized bed flotation cell utilizing collector materials that include at least one hydrocarbyl group and at least one functional group including sulfur on the hydrocarbyl group, and the hydrocarbyl group includes 2 or more aliphatic carbons and 6 or more total carbons. The methods and systems of the present disclosure advantageously allow for improved recovery of coarse-sized particles, which reduces time and energy expending during sample grinding stages. The methods and systems of the present disclosure also do not exhibit the detrimental frothing behaviors which can be associated with long-chain collectors typically having 6 or more carbon atoms. The systems and methods can be incorporated into existing processing systems to treat samples before or after conventional processing stages.

Abstract: Described is a conveyor sluice system useful for mining fine particles of target minerals, such as gold, that are difficult to collect and are therefore often discarded. Several conveyor sluice arrangements discussed herein use a textured belt that is wrapped around head and tail pulley rollers. Post hydrocyclone aggregate distributor feeds conveyor sluice slurry onto the textured belt near the head pulley roller. As the conveyor sluice slurry flows down the textured belt surface, concentrated aggregate (rich in target heavy minerals) settles and gets trapped in the belt texture. At least one belt cleaning rinse nozzle aims rinse water at the textured outer surface and sprays the concentrated aggregate out from the belt texture. A concentrate launder collects the rinsed off concentrated aggregate and pumps it to a finishing table where the target minerals are separated and collected.

Abstract: Embodiments of a system and method for sorting and sequencing articles in a processing facility are disclosed. Delivery endpoints are divided and grouped into stop groups. A first sorter sorts items according to stop group and outputs the items to trays. The output trays from the first sorter are loaded to a second sorter in stop group order. The second sorter can then sort the items into output bins in delivery sequence order.

Abstract: A device for using a powder or granular product for absorbing fluids spilled on the floor or ground includes a container provided with a storage tank for storing the absorbent product, a tank for receiving the soiled absorbent product, and a sifting receptacle. The sifting receptacle includes, at the bottom, a strainer which is arranged above an opening in the storage tank and can be emptied into the receiving tank.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to one or more techniques that may be employed alone or in combination, in the refurbishment or recycling of used solar modules. In certain approaches, a (heated) wire may be used to cut through one or more layers (e.g., front encapsulant, back encapsulant, both front and back encapsulant, backsheet) of a solar module that is being recycled or refurbished. Some approaches may employ testing of a used solar module, alone or in combination with information (e.g., as part of a received package) regarding parameters of a used solar module such as panel size, width, length, height, thickness of glass, or others. According to specific embodiments, used solar modules may be subjected to various cleaning processes at one or more points during refurbishment/recycling.

Abstract: Apparatus uses engineered collection media to recover mineral particles in a mineral extraction process, e.g., for processing a tailings stream at the end of a flotation separation process. The engineered collection media are added to slurry/tailings containing the mineral particles. The engineered collection media have collection surfaces coated with a chemical selected for attracting the mineral particles to the collection surfaces so the engineered collection media becomes mineral laden media in the slurry/tailings in a loading stage. The apparatus include three stages: removing unwanted material from mineral laden media; using a stripping agent to strip the mineral particles from the mineral laden media; and separating the engineered collection media from the mineral particles and the stripping agent. The stripping agent is reused for stripping, and the engineered collection media are returned to the loading stage. The engineered collection media can have a smooth or foam-like surface.

Abstract: A dispersion feeder for distributing a product stream to a plurality of receiving devices arranged about the periphery of the dispersion feeder, the dispersion feeder comprising a dispersion table; wherein the dispersion table comprises: a product receiving region at the centre of the dispersion table configured to receive a product stream comprising product and slack, and a product dispensing region surrounding the product receiving region; wherein the dispersion table is configured to transfer the product radially from the product receiving region to the product dispensing region; characterised in that the dispersion table further comprises: one or more apertures extending through the dispersion table, the one or more apertures being positioned between the product receiving region and the product dispensing region.

Abstract: Aggregate material processing systems, methods, and apparatus are described. In some embodiments, one or more components have a transport configuration and an operational configuration.

Abstract: An electrostatic separator separates conductive particles from raw materials includes: a container with a raw material layer; a gas dispersion plate at the bottom of the raw material layer; at least one vibrating body in the raw material layer flush with the gas dispersion plate or above it; a fluidization gas supplier introduced from the container bottom into the raw material layer flows upward through the gas dispersion plate; an upper electrode above the raw material layer; a lower electrode in the raw material layer, the lower electrode being flush with the gas dispersion plate or above it; a power supply applies a voltage between the upper and lower electrode wherein one becomes a negative electrode, the other becomes a positive electrode, and an electric field is generated between them; and a capturer captures conductive particles that have flown out of the raw material layer surface toward the upper electrode.

Abstract: Systems and methods for sorting recyclable items and other materials are provided. In one embodiment, a system for sorting objects comprises: at least one imaging sensor; a controller comprising a processor and memory storage, wherein the controller receives image data captured by the image sensor; and at least one pusher device coupled to the controller, wherein the at least one pusher device is configured to receive an actuation signal from the controller. The processor is configured to detect objects travelling on a conveyor device and recognize at least one target item traveling on a conveyor device by processing the image data and to determine an expected time when the at least one target item will be located within a diversion path of the pusher device. The controller selectively generates the actuation signal based on whether a sensed object detected in the image data comprise the at least one target item.

Abstract: A method includes providing a cartridge and the cartridge includes a slot for receiving a microfluidic chip having a set of first channels. The cartridge also includes a set of second channels and each channel of the set of second channels is coupleable to a different channel of the set of first channels during use with the microfluidic chip. The cartridge also includes an indent configured for engagement and alignment of the cartridge during use. The method also includes inserting the cartridge into a device, such that the cartridge engages a first biasing member of the device configured for alignment of the cartridge in a first direction. The first biasing member is configured to bias movement of the cartridge into locking position with a notch of the device.

Abstract: An object-sorting apparatus includes a housing that extends from a top end to a bottom end, at least one vibration element, and a plurality of stages arranged in a vertical sequence in the housing between the top end and the bottom end. At least one of the stages includes a sorting base that at least partially defines a floor of the at least one stage. The sorting base is coupled to the at least one vibration element, and is configured to receive thereon a mixture of objects having different sizes, including a target size associated with the at least one stage. The stage also includes apertures defined in and extending through the sorting base and into flow communication with a next lower stage. The apertures are sized to receive therethrough, from the mixture, objects having a size smaller than the target size associated with the at least one stage.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for cargo sorting, configured to control an end effector with a package placement platform to sort the cargo, and the method includes: moving the package placement platform to a package obtaining position and obtaining the cargo to be sorted that enters into the package placement platform; moving the package placement platform to a package storage location; and exerting a first force to push the cargo into a package storage unit. With the help of the package placement platform, the method of the invention can receive the packages of different types or different sizes or different material so as to sort and transport all kinds of packages.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a separator (100) and method of separating a waste stream (120) comprising liquid constituents, small-sized solid constituents and large-sized solid constituents into a first waste stream (121) substantially comprising the large-sized solid constituents and a second waste stream (122) substantially comprising a mixture of liquid and the small-sized solid constituents. The present disclosure also relates to a waste handling system (1) comprising such separator (100).

Abstract: Sorting device and method for sorting objects. The device includes a chute on which objects are movable in a conveying direction by an acting gravitational force. The chute has a cutout measuring area and a LIBS laser is positioned adjacent the cutout for spectroscopic measurement of objects moving through the cutout. A discharger for sorting out a first fraction of objects is provided along a discharge direction and below the chute and/or an imaginary extension of the chute. A control device is provided for controlling the discharger depending on measurement results of the LIBS laser. A further discharger is provided for sorting out a second fraction of objects along a further discharge direction. The further discharger is arranged above the chute and/or the imaginary extension of the chute and the control device controls the further discharger depending on the measurement results of the LIBS laser.

Abstract: A 3 in 1 reverse vending machine. A vending machine that is solar powered and accepts bottles and cans made of plastic, aluminum, and glass. The machine includes a conveyor system, barcode reader and cleaning system, this prepares the bottle and cans to be shredded and then granulated into small pieces. The machine houses a delivery system that carries the smaller pieces of processed material to its predetermined receptacle for storage. Each bottle and can has a monetary value once received by the machine that will be issued to the user once all bottles and cans are received and calculated per user per transaction.

Abstract: A process (1, 101, 201) for separating a fibrous target component (21) from textile waste (2, 5) is shown, said textile waste (2, 5) containing the target component (21) and at least one ancillary component (22), whereby the target component (21) consists of water-swellable textile fibers (51) with a density higher than the density of water, the process (1, 101, 201) comprising the steps: a) dispersing the comminuted textile waste (5) in an aqueous solution (7) to obtain a suspension (8) containing the textile waste (5), and b) separating the dispersed textile waste (5) into a high-density target fraction (81) comprising the target component (21), and a low-density residual fraction (82) comprising the at least one ancillary component (22), according to the respective density of said components (21, 22).

Abstract: The invention relates to a magnet apparatus for generating a magnetic field, the magnet apparatus comprising: at least three coils arranged besides each other along a first axis in a first plane, wherein each coil comprises a conductor comprising a material having superconducting properties at an operating temperature, the coils further comprise two legs and two bent end sections in the first plane, wherein a first and a second leg are arranged parallel to each other along a second axis in the first plane transverse to the first axis, and the two bent sections are arranged opposite to each other; and a controller arranged to control currents through the respective coils to obtain a current distribution in the first plane, wherein a current direction of the current distribution is alternating between opposite directions parallel to the second axis, with a period ? along the first axis. The invention also related to a magnetic density separation apparatus comprising the magnet apparatus.