ABSTRACT
I. INTRODUCTION Numerous operations in agricultural production and processing require efficient mass transfer of particulate matter generally smaller than several hundred micrometers in diameter. Management by electrostatic forces offers solutions having much present benefit and future potential in engi neered as well as in naturally occurring processes. Even the most essential natural particulate transfer in agriculture, plant pollination by insects, ap pears electrostatics based (Corbet et al., 1982) and amenable to further electrostatic augmentation (Law, 1991). Nearer the consumer, milled solid products such as sugars, flours, spices, and flavoring additives are rou tinely surface applied as electrically charged sprays to alter favorably the processing and organoleptic properties of foodstuffs. Refinement and purification of such particulate ingredients is commonly achieved via the electrostatic separation methods of Chapter 17.
