Abstract: A device (32) is provided for separating particles in a material (34), the particles having different conductivities. The device (32) comprises a feeder (36) for accommodating the material (34), the feeder (36) defining an outlet opening (38). Charging means (40) is located within the feeder (36) and proximate the opening (38) of the feeder (36), the charging means (40) being arranged to directly charge the particles. The device (32) further includes a rotatable drum (42) that is located adjacent the opening (38) of the feeder (36). In use, the charging means (40) is arranged to produce a cloud of similarly charged particles that leave the feeder (36) via the opening (38) and land on the drum (42) substantially as a monolayer, with conductive particles (48) subsequently losing their charge to the drum (42) and thus falling off, while the insulative/less conductive particles (50) remain charged and thus attracted to the surface of the drum (42) so as to be removed further on in the rotation of the drum (42).

Abstract: The invention concerns a method and apparatus for separating mineral particles according to their dielectric and/or electrophysical properties. In one practical example, rutile particles can be separated from zircon particles. In the method, the mineral particles which are to be separated are passed through a sharply non-homogenous electrical field. Particles with different dielectric and/or electrophysical properties are subjected to different forces which separate them spatially. The spatially separated particles are collected in discrete fractions.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method and apparatus for separating mineral particles according to their dielectric and/or electrophysical properties. In one practical example, rutile particles can be separated from zircon particles. In the method, the mineral particles which are to be separated are passed through a sharply non-homogenous electrical field. Particles with different dielectric and/or electrophysical properties are subjected to different forces which separate them spatially. The spatially separated particles are collected in discrete fractions.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method and apparatus for separating mineral particles according to their dielectric and/or electrophysical properties. In one practical example, rutile particles can be separated from zircon particles. In the method, the mineral particles which are to be separated are passed through a sharply non-homogenous electrical field. Particles with different dielectric and/or electrophysical properties are subjected to different forces which separate them spatially. The spatially separated particles are collected in discrete fractions.