ABSTRACT
Electrostatic separation based on the difference of electric conductivity of particles or their tribo-charging characteristics has been widely utilized for about 100 µm to 3 mm size range. Tribo-electrostatic separator has been also investigated for fine coal preparation of 86 µm in coal and a few micron in minerals. In order to increase the purity of foods, the tribocharging electrostatic separators from lab-scale to pilot-scale have been developed. Electrostatic separation has been utilized in industries for refining mineral resources, treatment of pulverized coal, treatment of waste plastics, recycling of electrical appliances, and so on. As charcoal contents and ash contents have high conductivity, electrostatic separation has been conducted by use of tribocharging. Most metal wires are collected by use of a dry gravitational separator, while the powdered metal is collected by use of an electrostatic separator due to the induction charge.
