Abstract: A separator as described herein separates granular input material into component materials. Each component material has a hardness. The separator includes a rebound surface, a propulsion system, and a plurality of sorting zones. The propulsion system propels granular input material toward the rebound surface. The component materials that are rebounded off of the rebound surface and land in sorting zones based on the hardness of the component materials. A method for using the separator is also described.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for separating incinerator combined ash are described. The devices, systems, and methods include a fines process that utilizes water or other liquid in the separation of portions of the incinerator combined ash.

Abstract: A method of treating a powder material includes classifying a powder material within a vessel by using a fluidized bed of the powder material to separate smaller particles of the powder material from larger particles of the powder material, and degassing the separated smaller particles and the larger particles within the vessel by heating and fluidizing the larger particles and the separated smaller particles.

Abstract: A method of separating magnetic nanoparticles is described. The method comprises placing the magnetic nanoparticles in a periodic magnetic field. The periodic magnetic field varies between a first magnetic field strength and a second magnetic field strength that is higher than the first magnetic field strength. The nanoparticles may be superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles.

Abstract: Described herein are splitters for holding and distributing input material to one or more decks of a gyratory sifter, where the splitter distributes approximately an equal amount of input material to each deck. An exemplary splitter may include a bottom surface, a sidewall, and one or more openings through the sidewall. Each opening may include a plurality of slits, allowing input material to pass therethrough. Where multiple openings are provided through the sidewall, the openings may be evenly spaced and have an equivalent area. The bottom surface may be substantially circular, and the sidewall may extend perpendicularly from the edges of the bottom surface. An exemplary splitter may be able to receive and distribute the input material when a gyratory force acts on the gyratory sifter on which the splitter is installed.

Abstract: Identification of a material composition. The material composition is configured with a sequential pattern applied to one or more surfaces of the body. The sequential pattern identifies the specific material composition. A discrete section or sub-section of the material is analyzed, after which the discrete section or sub-section may be sorted for recycling.

Abstract: An object processing system within a trailer for a tractor trailer is discloses. The object processing system includes an input area of the trailer at which objects to be processed may be presented, a perception system for providing perception data regarding objects to be processed, and a primary transport system for providing transport of each object in one of at least two primary transport directions within the trailer based on the perception data.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for treating a mixture of fiber and granules are provided. The method includes passing the mixture through a friction zone comprising a conveyor belt that moves mixture and a friction device comprising a stationary surface in contact with a surface of the mixture. The method includes applying pressure to the mixture with the friction device to generate friction such that at least 5% of the fiber in the mixture is rotated. The method includes forming an agglomerate that is larger than the granules in the mixture.

Abstract: A modular quality improvement process and quality improvement system for high density coal measures oil shale. The process comprises: performing separation on the material with a particle size larger than 13 mm by an air dense medium fluidized bed, performing separation on the material with a particle size equal to or less than 13 mm and larger than 6 mm by an air dense medium fluidized bed, performing separation on the material with a particle size equal to or less than 6 mm and larger than 3 mm by a vibrated dense medium fluidized bed, and performing separation on the material with a particle size equal to or less than 3 mm by a vibrated fluidized bed, and recovery of a medium by magnetic separation for use as a circulating medium.

Abstract: A microparticle sorting apparatus includes a detection unit which detects microparticles flowing through a flow path; an imaging device which images a droplet containing the microparticles which is discharged from an orifice provided on an edge portion of the flow path; a charge unit which applies a charge to the droplets; and a control unit which determines a delay time as from a time that the microparticles are detected by the detection unit to the time at which a number of bright spots in a standard region, which is set beforehand, of image information imaged by the imaging device reaches the maximum, making it possible for the charge unit to apply a charge to the microparticles once the delay time has lapsed after the microparticles are detected by the detection unit.

Abstract: Example embodiments include a system for removing string from shredded tobacco, including an arrangement configured to dispense shredded tobacco from a first location to a second location along a path of communication, a string filter operative at a location along the path of communication comprising a first roller comprising pins, whereby string may be contacted by at least some of the pins and retained at the string filter as the shredded tobacco passes through the filter.

Abstract: A magnetic separator comprises: at least one pair of guide rolls; and a conveyor belt that extends between the pair of guide rolls, and conveys a powdery and/or granular material containing ferromagnetic particles, wherein one guide roll of the pair of guide rolls is a hollow roll, and includes, in a hollow part thereof, a magnet roll including a plurality of magnets that are arranged along an inner peripheral surface of the guide roll in lines at intervals so that different magnetic poles alternate in a circumferential direction, and the magnetic separator further comprises a shield wall that covers a circular arc region of an outer peripheral surface of the guide roll except a circular arc region around which the conveyor belt is wound, to block magnetic lines of force from the plurality of magnets.

Abstract: A sieving device is described. The sieving device includes a sieve surface attached to a sieve rim. A set of openings is formed in the sieve surface so as to define a set of pathways extending through the sieve surface. The set of opening are defined by a length dimension that is greater than a width dimension. When the sieve surface is submerged in a liquid, a first pupa having a first cephalothorax width that is less than the width dimension is free to move through any one of the set of openings, and a second pupa having a second cephalothorax width that is greater than the width dimension is prevented from moving through the set of openings.

Abstract: A particle electrical mobility classifier is provided for the classification of particles (e.g., particles less than 1 ??? in size) based on their electrical mobility. The particle classification zone is curved. In an exemplary embodiment, two metal concentric cylinders, separated by an annular insulation spacer, establish a particle classification zone. A DC electrical field is supplied by the cylinders in the circular classification zone. An example classifier can be operated in different modes such as: (1) as a particle precipitator; (2) as a particle electrical mobility separator, and (3) as a differential mobility classifier. The curved classification zone results in a particle classifier having an extended particle sizing range as compared to their counterparts in classical configurations. The curve of the classification channel (in the flow direction) may be in any of several configurations (e.g., circular, wavy, spiral, or helical).

Abstract: A sieving device is described. The sieving device includes an adjustable sieve surface that includes a first sieve surface and a second sieve surface. Openings are formed in each of the first sieve surface and the second sieve surface so as to define a shared pathways extending through the adjustable sieve surface. The shared pathways are defined by a length dimension that is greater than a width dimension. The width dimension can correspond to a cephalothorax width of an insect.

Abstract: Beneficiating particulate additives by removing contaminants or minerals that impact the quality and specific gravity of the particulate additives may be achieved via dry solids separation technologies. For example, an air classifier, an electrostatic separator, and a combination thereof may be used to produce a beneficiated particulate additive comprising less than 40% of drill solids by weight of the beneficiated particulate additive.

Abstract: The disclosure discloses wet electrostatic classification device for ultrafine powder based on rotating flow field, which belongs to the field of ultrafine powder classification equipment. The wet electrostatic classification device for ultrafine powder of the disclosure includes a cylinder body. The cylinder body is a hollow cavity. A material conveying shaft and a rotating shaft are disposed in the cylinder body. Outlets are formed in a circumferential wall of the cylinder body. A deceleration motor is mounted on the lower end through a machine frame. First electrode pieces are disposed on an inner wall. The spray head is mounted between the material conveying shaft and the rotating shaft. The rotating shaft is connected to the deceleration motor through a coupling. Second electrode pieces are disposed on outer walls of the material conveying shaft and the rotating shaft. The spray head is configured to spray a material into the cylinder body to form a rotating flow.

Abstract: A method and device are used for separating particles of plastic foil from organic material. The device includes a chamber with a perforated wall. A mixture of particles of plastic foil and organic material is fed into the chamber through a feed opening. The mixture is set into a rotating movement inside the chamber by a rotor. In the vicinity of the perforations, the centrifugal force to which a particle is subjected is at least fifty times greater than the gravitational force to which the particle is subjected. An airflow is generated in the chamber parallel to the rotational axis of the rotor. Particles of organic material leave the chamber through the perforations. Particles of plastic foil are carried along by the first airflow and then discharge through an opening in the chamber.

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 novel ballistic separator for separating material is disclosed that includes a separator bed adapted to contact the material. The bed has a first agitator with a top surface, with the top surface comprising a conveyor connected to the first agitator. A crankshaft imparts an oscillating motion to the first agitator and conveyor, which move fixed together relative to the oscillating motion. The conveyor is constructed to move laterally across to the top surface.