Enhancement of Dry Triboelectric Separation of Fly Ash Using Seed Particles

The separation efficiency of triboelectric separation technology for fine particles has been largely attributed to the extent to which the particles are tribo-charged. The higher the particle charge, the better will be the separation efficiency in most triboelectric systems. Using a pneumatic transport triboelectric separator system, the effect of additives or charge seed particles on separation efficiency has been studied. In this system, turbulence caused by pneumatic conveyance within specially designed conveyance pipes causes strong particle interactions, which in turn creates high bipolar charge. The purpose of this research was to explore the possibility of increasing charge exchange and separation efficiency by addition of charge seed particles similar to or different from those normally contained in the feed material. It has been shown that copper powder affected the separability of coal from combustion ash whereas a high response ash did not. Results are presented to explain the charge behavior o...