Modified tribo-charging device for the electrostatic separation of plastics from granular industrial wastes. Issue 7 (3rd May 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Younes, Khedidja; Younes, Mohammed; Meziane, Rachid; Samuila, Adrian; Dascalescu, Lucian
• Is Part Of: Separation science and technology. Volume 52:Issue 7(2017)
• Page Start: 1246
• Page End: 1256
• Publication Date: 2017-05-03
• Subjects: Electrostatic separator -- plastics wastes -- recycling -- tribo-electricity; Separation (Technology) -- Periodicals; 660.284205
• DOI: 10.1080/01496395.2017.1286354
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0149-6395

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Tribo-electrostatic separation is the solution of choice for the selective sorting of various plastics contained in a granular mixture. This work is aimed at validating the efficiency of a modified compressed-air-operated tribo-charging device for the electrostatic separation of mixed granular plastics originating from industrial waste. The experiments are carried out with a mixture of mm-size orange and beige PVC granules, using a free-fall electrostatic separator. At optimum operating conditions, 93% of the orange PVC and 96% of the beige PVC were recovered at purities higher than, respectively, 99% and 95%. The numerical simulation of charged particles trajectories facilitates the interpretation of the experimental results and the analysis of the factors that affect the efficiency of the separation process: high-voltage level, configuration of the electrodes system, and position of the feeding unit.