Abstract: An apparatus/system for separating a mixture of solid materials has a screening bed, an expansion chamber in gaseous communication with the screening bed, a filter in gaseous communication with the expansion chamber, an air flow producer in fluid communication with the filter. The screening bed includes a star-shaped agitators and the air flow is a vacuum from the screening bed through pathway.

Abstract: A grain-cleaning machine for obtaining grains has a desired size which is greater than a lower value and less than or equal to an upper value. The grain-cleaning machine comprises an arrangement of sieves. The arrangement of sieves comprises at least two main sieve levels positioned overlapping each other. Each main sieve level comprises a respective fine sieve followed by a respective grain sieve. At least one lower sieve level comprises a respective lower grain sieve. The at least one lower sieve level being positioned below the main sieve levels. Each fine sieve has a first mesh provided with openings having an opening size which is equal to said lower value, and each grain sieve and each lower grain sieve have a second mesh provided with openings having an opening size which is equal to said upper value.

Abstract: A sifting apparatus for stratifying raw material includes a material feed-in device, a material support unit, a gas plenum, and a discharge control device. The material support unit receives material from the material feed-in device and has a surface having a plurality of openings for a gaseous medium introduced from underneath the material support unit, thereby effecting loosening and stratification of the material into a layer of relatively heavier material, and a layer of relatively lighter material atop the heavier material. The introduced gaseous medium originates in a pump, is collected in a pressurized reservoir and is controlled by a metered valve prior to introduction to the material support unit.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of a classifier (100) for classification of particles according to their size and/or weight. Classifiers (100) disclosed herein may include a mixing chamber (120), and a separation chamber (110), where the separation chamber may be separable into parts. Classifiers (100) disclosed herein may include a fluidizing chamber (130). The separation chamber (110) may include a de-aeration chamber (151) and a launder (117).

Abstract: The invention relates to a separation system for a potato harvesting machine or a preparation machine for separating potatoes, or similar crops, from a mixture of clods, stones, and similar solid bodies. A conveying assembly is thereby utilized to feed the essentially compact mixture as a delivery flow, from where the mixture displaced into the area of at least one drop stage, and thereby influenced by way of a conveying means in the form of an air stream, can be separated. Thereafter, at least the harvested material and the solid bodies, respectively, can be moved on as individual separated goods, and can be moved out of the separation system. The system according to the invention is characterized in that subsequently to the drop stage bringing about a loosening of the mixture, at least one retaining element located opposite the falling separated goods and interacting with the at least one air stream is provided.

Abstract: An apparatus, method, and system are provided for separating material. In some embodiments the separator may include a deck. The deck may accept the material to be separated at a feed end and may provide separated output material at a discharge end. The flow of the material along the deck from the feed end to the discharge end may define a feed direction. The deck may be subject to a vibration or conveyance aligned with the feed direction. The deck may include riffles or corrugations. The riffles may be oriented at an angle relative to a direction of the vibration or conveyance, or at an angle relative to the feed direction. The deck may be subjected to an end-to-end elevation or slope. The end-to-end slope may be positive/downhill, negative/uphill, or zero.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for dedusting coal or other material are described. The apparatus and method involve the coal or other material moving down a declined sliding bed composed of slats through which air or gas is blown to provide an air or gas cushion. Dust particles are lofted so as to separate dust from the material. Either or both of the dust and the resulting dedusted material can be collected.

Abstract: Processing automobile shredder residue (ASR) zorba to separate aluminum and magnesium from the other non-ferrous metals. The system and method employs a destoner to separate the magnesium and aluminum from other non-ferrous metals in the ASR zorba. The resulting magnesium and aluminum product may be further processed by a destoner to separate the aluminum from the magnesium. The ASR zorba may be segregated by size prior to processing in the destoner.

Abstract: A system for sorting has an inlet end, a first separation section disposed downstream of the inlet end and including a fluidizing section and a hood disposed above the fluidizing section, a negative pressure developed adjacent the fluidizing section to draw a first class of materials into the hood, a second separation section disposed downstream of the first separation section and including an air knife and a dropout, a second class of materials passing through the air knife and into the dropout and a third class of materials passing over the dropout and through an outlet end, and a vibration generator coupled to the first separation section and the second separation section to convey material from the inlet end to the outlet end.

Abstract: An apparatus, method, and system are provided for separating material. In some embodiments the separator may include a deck. The deck may accept the material to be separated at a feed end and may provide separated output material at a discharge end. The flow of the material along the deck from the feed end to the discharge end may define a feed direction. The deck may be subject to a vibration or conveyance aligned with the feed direction. The deck may include riffles or corrugations. The riffles may be oriented at an angle relative to a direction of the vibration or conveyance, or at an angle relative to the feed direction. The deck may be subjected to an end-to-end elevation or slope. The end-to-end slope may be positive/downhill, negative/uphill, or zero.

Abstract: An air jigging machine for dry processing of raw materials, an air supply conduit for supplying working air to an air funnel, and having a pulsing valve. At least two jigging-material carriers for receiving material from a material-feeding mechanism are configured to consecutively receive therethrough working air from the air funnel and to separate the material into heavy and light material layers. The jigging-material carriers are disposed one above the other and are spaced apart. A wall encloses this intermediate space. At least one bypass airline branches off from the air supply conduit downstream of the pulsing valve, bypasses the lower jigging-material carrier, and communicates with the intermediate space for supplying an additional working airflow thereto. Respective discharge devices are provided for the jigging-material carriers for the material layered thereon during a jigging process.

Abstract: A vibratory material separating apparatus has at least two plateau conveying surfaces interrupted by a drop out opening. A composite mixture is conveyed by a vibrating action beyond the first conveying plateau and over a foraminous section in the first conveying plateau adjacent the drop out opening. Air is directed upwardly through the foraminous section to break apart the composite mixture, and an air supply formed by an air duct is also directed angularly in relationship to the plane of the first conveying plateau to further break apart the composite mixture and to propel particles of predetermined density and/or dimension to the landing area on the second conveying plateau. The air duct is adjustable between a first position and a second position to form an air stream having an adjustable and width. In another aspect, a separating tube is located between and spaced from the first and second conveying plateaus, within the drop out opening.

Abstract: A table separator is provided, wherein the table separator comprises a plurality of solid-bottom trays and a plurality of dimples for facilitating separation of degerminated corn into endosperm and germ fractions, the dimples being aligned in linear juxtaposition on the surface of the trays and having a center portion raised with respect to the perimeter of the dimples.

Abstract: A gravity separator with improved efficiency comprising a gravity table with pins at the feed area and a flow channeler. The pins create space in the bed of material to be separated which increases stratification of the weight fractions. The flow channeler creates flow paths of the fractions which do not cross and therefore the fractions do not slow each other from feed to discharge.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating grain material and for sorting out heavy inclusions from a product flow, particularly stones from gain material, in which the product flow is fed to an inclined layering table and guided so as to be substantially layered thereon. The layering table being acted upon by air flow and oscillated in such a way that the heavy inclusions lying directly thereon are conveyed up the table and guided away separately at the higher end. The feeding of the product flow is effected by way of a feed duct which opens to into the area of the higher end of the table and feeds the product into the separating zone of the product layers as a flow across the widest possible surface area, the separating zone being located in the area of the higher end of the table. The table has air guides for circulating. On an upper side, a closed hood is arranged and on an end side, a product feed portion is arranged. In the middle thereof, an outlet suction portion coupled to the closed hood is arranged.

Abstract: A stemmery discard of tobacco and soil particles is fed to an air/centrifugal separator in which a fraction of smaller tobacco particles is recovered with a low amount of soil. The residue from that separator is fed to a screen separator in which a fraction of larger tobacco particles is recovered with a low amount of soil. A residue from the rotary screen separator is fed to a gravity separator which recovers as much tobacco as possible without exceeding a preselected amount of soil. The screen separator may comprise a first separator screen to separate out a fraction of larger tobacco particles, and a second screen to separate out a fraction of smaller tobacco particles from the particles falling through the first screen; the particles retained by the second screen would be sent to the gravity separator, and the separated-out smaller particles would be discarded.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for separating grain mixture, e.g. for separating heavy inclusions, such as stones (28), from grain product, in which the product is guided via an inclined oscillating layering table surface, through which air flows, so as to be substantially layered and the layering air is guided as recycle air, wherein the recycle air used for the layering of the product is guided through separate guides for the inlet and outlet air, and the guides are oscillated jointly with the layering table surface.

Abstract: The invention relates to apparatus for the pneumatic separation of particulate material particularly but not solely for the separation of objectionable material such as stem from cut lamina or cut rolled stem tobacco (CRS). Apparatus for the pneumatic separation of particulate material comprises a substantially horizontal vibrating conveyor having a plurality of grooves having apertures (14) through which air passes to partially or wholly fluidize the material under treatment.

Abstract: A modified fluidized bed separates materials differing in weight by as little as one percent. A fluidized bed is formed by directing air through vanes on an underside of a screen. Products, such as peanuts, delivered to a central portion of the screen are initially separated so that lighter weight products float on the fluidized bed and are drawn by gravity toward a lower end where a second separation takes place. The lightest products at this second end are listed over an exit weir by a controllable air jet. Desired products are not ejected and are collected.

Abstract: A system for gravity table separation including a gravity table for separating materials and a detector operatively associated with the gravity table for detecting the movement of control particles with respect to the gravity table during its operation. The control particles are of a known characteristic. By calibrating the desired movement of the control particles through the table, any misalignment or deviance of that movement during operation is detected, and adjustments can be made to the operation of the table to bring the control particles back to the desired movement. The separation process can then be controlled to bring about optimum efficiency. Also, the detector can be interfaced with a control component which can automatically adjust the operation of the table in response to whether the control particles are following the desired movement through the table.

Abstract: A fluidized, dry bed, ore concentrator in which a uniform air stream is utilized to fluidize ore particles within a region defined in part by two, moving, riffled surfaces. The particles are statically charged to enhance separation of particles within the fluidized mass. The less massive of the like-charged, fluidized particles are drawn off by a first riffled surface and denoted "tailings". The more massive, and valuable, of the particles are drawn off by the second of the two riffled surfaces and denoted as "fines".

Abstract: A size grading unit and a gravity grading unit in a grinding preparation installation form an oscillating unit and are arranged one above the other so that a V-shaped space exists between them. The product flow transfers as a carpet or veil falling from the size grading unit at the V apex to the gravity grading unit located below. Air flows through the V-shaped space but not through the size grading unit.

Abstract: A gravity separator for separating particulate material deposited onto a perforate separator deck is disclosed. The rate of separation is controlled by varying end raise and side tilt adjustments. These adjustments are made hydraulically and are remotely controlled. These adjustments are carried out while the machine is operating to avoid down-time. The feeder is located above the highest point of the separator deck to provide for faster separation. A blender assembly located at the high side of the deck accepts heavy material and conveys it to a discharge hopper. This provides for faster separation and allows the length of the deck to be decreased. A counterbalance is agitated in a manner to oppose and negate the motion of the deck. An air supply assembly with multiple fans is provided to direct a certain volume of air to separate areas of the separator deck.

Abstract: In a fluidized bed apparatus for separation of two mixed solid phases of which one is formed by a fluidizable powdery material and the other is formed by a material which is not fluidizable under the conditions of fluidization of the former, an enclosure is suspended by springs and formed by a lower casing portion (1) for a flow of gas and an upper casing portion (2) for a flow of fluidized powdery materials, between which there is disposed a porous fluidization wall (3), at least one conduit (4) for feeding gas to the lower casing portion (1) and at least one conduit (5) for discharging the fluidization gas from the upper casing portion (2). The upper casing (2) includes an inlet (6) for the regular introduction of the mixture of the two solid phases to be separated, an overflow (7) on a face of the enclosure for discharge of the fluidized solid phase, and an outlet for discharge of the settled solid phase.

Abstract: A spent hydrotreating catalyst having carbonaceous and metallic deposits comprising generally cylindrical, free flowing particles of regular geometric shape having substantially the same diameter but of varying length is stripped, length graded, density graded using an upward flow of gas through an inclined, vibrating surface, and regenerated to achieve catalyst activity very near that of a fresh catalyst.

Abstract: The subject matter of the invention mainly relates to the technical areas of foundry, manufacture of parts by casting metal in moulds.The process consists in that after moulding the parts and stripping them from the moulds which were broken, during a first cycle the mixture resulting from the knock-out is recovered. This mixture being stored. This mixture is directed from the storage place to an intermediate container; then the mixture from the intermediate container is fed up to a sieve grading separator unit allowing to separate the grains or particles in several different grading batches; each one of these batches is directed to a separating table designed for separating chromite from silica; the chromite on the one hand and the silica on the other hand are recovered in containers.This invention mainly applies to the recovery of components of different densities, especially chromite and silica.

Abstract: In a magnetically stabilized fluidized bed in which the bed particles continuously move transverse to the flow of the fluidizing fluid, the bed particles have increased fluidity when the bed is operated at or substantially near the locus of transition between the bubbling and stabilized regimes of said bed. More specifically, the particulate bed comprising a transverse flow magnetically stabilized fluidized bed process has greater fluidity when the bed is operated such that the ratio of the difference between the transition velocity and the operating velocity to the difference between the transition velocity and the normal minimum fluidization velocity ranges between -0.1 and +0.5. The increased fluidity facilitates the movement of solids within a vessel as well as the transfer of solids to other vessels.

Abstract: A separating contrivance for separating cereals and similar grain product into at least three grain fractions and heavier impurities comprises two air-penetrable fluidized bed tables (2, 3) arranged one over the other and supported in fashion capable of being oscillated in relation to a frame, with a product inlet (9) leading to the upper fluidized bed table. At one end of the contrivance, and spaced away from the inlet (9), the upper fluidized bed table (2) is provided with outlets (10, 18) for the light and medium heavy grain fractions, while the lower fluidized bed table (3) includes outlet (27) for the heavy grain fraction. Adjoining the other end of the lower fluidized bed table (3) is an outlet (16) for the heavy impurities such as stones and the like. In order to achieve a practically complete sorting of the heavy impurities, provision is made so that the two fluidized bed tables (2, 3) are supported independently of one another and are driven by separate oscillating drives (7, 25).

Abstract: An automatic control apparatus of a grain separator for precisely separating a mixture of soil particles and grain having different hue and specific gravity, wherein the grain separator includes a soil discharge opening disposed at the front end of a separating plate which is inclined with a forward elevation in order to perform oscillations back and forth at a larger angle than said inclined angle, and a grain discharge opening disposed at the rear end thereof.The automatic control apparatus is equipped with a light source and a light receiving element at the front end of said separating plate to detect the intensity of the ray reflected from the mixture of soil and grain, at which said light receiving element produces a signal which actuates an electromagnetic driving means to allow or block the discharge of materials from the soil discharge opening, thus discharging only soil particles from the discharge opening.

Abstract: This application discloses a separator for separating granular materials according to specific weight including an air permeable reciprocatory deck for supporting a bed of the granular material thereon and defining an elongate discharge opening therefrom through which a certain separated fraction of the granular material is to be discharged after separation; a fan forcing air upwardly through the air permeable deck and the bed of granular material carried on the deck to fluidize the bed and cause the granular material in the bed to separate according to the specific weight thereof as the deck is reciprocated; and a pneumatic pressure operated gate selectively covering the discharge opening so as to selectively control the flow of the granular material therethrough in response to the pneumatic pressure in said bottom air plenum with the gate selectively varying the effective length and height of the opening in response to the pneumatic pressure below the deck.

Abstract: Fluidized particulate material in an elongated fluidizing bed is separated by means of paddles, on an endless chain running around sprockets, urging at least an upper portion of the fluidized bed towards one end of the bed to enrich that end with lighter particles and the other end with heavier particles. The particles thus separated are removed from the ends of the bed by, for example, flowing over weirs. In one embodiment only the paddles passing along the underside of the chain dip into the fluidized bed while in another embodiment the whole chain and all of the paddles are immersed in the fluidized bed.

Abstract: Solid particles comprising combustible matter (e.g. coal) associated with or contaminated by inert matter (e.g. ash, rock) is segregated in a segregation zone into low density/small size and high density/large size fractions. The low density/small size fractions are passed to a utilization zone for conversion of the combustible matter. The high density/large size fractions are size reduced (e.g. by grinding) and either returned to the segregation zone, or passed at least in part, directly to the utilization zone. The conversion of the combustion matter proceeds more efficiently as a result. The segregation zone may operate by fluidized size/density segregation and in the utilization zone, the combustible matter may be at least partially combusted, preferably in a fluidized bed.

Abstract: A so-called stone picker is provided with an inclined perforated sorting plate upon which the separating operation of stones and the like from grain is effectively made under the reciprocative oscillation of the plate with wind blowing through parrallel slots and parallel to the direction of said oscillation. Unique constructions of slit openings made in the plate are also disclosed.

Abstract: A fluidizing tank for granular refractory material has a porous bottom wall that is displaceable downwardly from a bottom edge of the tank in order to define a gap through which contaminating precipitated particles can fall from the tank, preferably aided by a downward slope of the porous wall. A receptacle housing the tank contains a vibratory sieve for separating the particles from the material falling from the tank so that the sieved material may be returned to the tank, preferably directly by mechanical or suction transfer from the bottom of the receptacle.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for the separation of sand and botanical materials, particularly tobacco, the apparatus including a fluidized bed and a porous support for the mixture of sand and botanical materials. The method incorporates the apparatus and aids in the separation, the method potentially including a pulsed fluid flow superimposed on a steady fluid flow in the system.