NUMERICAL-ANALYSIS OF THE ELECTRIC-FIELD OF ROLL-TYPE ELECTROSTATIC SEPARATORS

Previous experiments pointed out that an extended zone of quasi-uniform, intense electric field, associated to the classical corona-discharge field zone of a roll-type high-tension separator, may contribute to a significant increase of material processing efficiency. The intricate configuration of the electric field being not amenable to analytical calculations, numerical methods have been considered. The first computations were effected with a finite element method program of field analysis. The availability of a user-friendly charge simulation program made possible a thorough study of the electrostatic field, for various electrode arrangements. There has been demonstrated that the desired field distribution can be easily achieved with several conveniently-positioned tubular electrodes, connected at different potentials. Good results have been obtained using specially-profiled electrodes. Numerical analysis of the electric field has facilitated the optimum design of the electrodes for industrial applications.