Experimental and numerical analysis of a tribo-electrostatic separation process of micronized plastic particles using rotating disk electrodes

ABSTRACT

This paper reports an experimental and numerical analysis of a tribo-electrostatic separation process based on a fluidised bed tribo-charging system and two rotating disks connected to two high-voltage DC supplies of opposite polarities. The experiments were performed using a granular mixture composed of µm-size white Polyvinylchloride particles (WPVC) and grey Polyvinylchloride particles that contain a small percentage of carbon (GPVC). A numerical analysis supported the experimental results. It was deduced that the separation outcome is efficient and depends on the high-voltage level, the rotating speed of the electrodes and the fluidisation rate.

KEYWORDS:

• Electrostatic
• separation
• particles
• recovery
• tribo-electricity

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This study was performed under the framework of ‘Projet Impact Socio-Economique’ Contract N° 362 funded by the General Directorate of Algerian Scientific Research (DGRSDT).