Electrostatic mineral concentrator

Claim 1

Apparatus for electrostatically concentrating non-magnetic mineral particles comprising: (a) at least one pair of oppositely charged collector electrodes spaced apart from each other and oriented so that a flow path is formed between them where material containing non-magnetic mineral particles can fall by gravity through at least a major portion of the flow path and the non-magnetic mineral particles will be charged and attracted to the electrodes, the collector electrodes each including a collector surface formed of dielectric material which together define at least a substantial portion of the flow path; (b) ionizing means located midway between the collector electrodes for charging mineral particles at a plurality of locations spaced apart along the flow path; (c) means for deflecting the mineral particles provided at a plurality of locations along the flow path so that the particles are periodically deflected from a straight-line path as they fall by gravity through the flow path; (d) means for supplying electrical energy to the electrodes and ionizing means; (e) means for introducing the material containing mineral particles at an upper portion of the flow path; (f) means for removing collected particles from the collector electrodes; and (g) the flow path including a first stage defined between a pair of revolving collector electrode drums spaced apart from each other, and a plurality of succeeding stages each defined between a revolving collector electrode drum on one side and a vertical plate on the other side.