High-voltage supplies for corona-electrostatic separators

The selection of the high-voltage supply can play an important role In the optimisation of electrostatic separation processes. The present work aimed to evaluate the influence of the main high-voltage parameters (waveform, polarity, level) on the efficiency of electroseparation, in the case of insulation-metal granular mixtures. A roll-type laboratory electroseparator was employed for the experimental study and the tests were carried out with granular materials prelevated from the technological flowsheet of a recycling plant for electric wire scraps. The experiments shown the existence of a strong interdependence between the level of the operating voltage and the other electrical parameters, Although the full-wave rectifier allows for lower operating voltages than the half-wave rectifier, its general effectiveness in electroseparation processes is superior. The optimum operating voltage of an electroseparator seems to be slightly lower than the level at which the frequency of the spark discharges tends to exceed 60 min^-1. The oscillograms of the voltage and of the current across the separator proved to be of great use for studying the transition from corona to spark discharges. Good insulation-metal electroseparation can be achieved at either positive or negative polarity of the high-voltage supply, but negative electrode energization is recommended for most industry applications