Electric and electronic equipment of a research-oriented electrostatic separator

The present work was aimed for updating (optimizing) the design of the research-oriented roll-type electrostatic separator ELSEP. The new equipment has several distinctive features: (i) large variety of corona and electrostatic electrodes; (ii) reversible 100 kV, 3 mA DC high-voltage supply; (iii) variable-speed roll drive with induction motor and frequency convertor; (iv) ergonomic control panel. They enable the optimization of the electrostatic separation processes by the accurate measurement and control of the operating conditions. The typical applications of ELSEP are: (i) electric field and corona discharge studies; (ii) particle charging and trajectory control experiments; (iii) electrostatic separation feasibility tests; (iv) training of undergraduate and graduate students, professional engineers and scientists in the field of electrostatics. The technical information given in this paper is expected to be of help to other researchers in building similar laboratory equipment.