Separation of minerals in electric field by ponderomotive forces (classification in high-voltage vertical capacitor)

A three-electrode capacitor, designed for an alternating electric field, was used to effect the dry separation of materials according to permittivity.A stable fall regime was secured through a isodynamic field of the ponderomotive forces. The solid fractions were arranged in concentric circles about the capacitor axis.Numerical examples were worked out for two-component mixtures of gold and quartz, copper and aluminum, and glass and aluminum.The required voltage on the capacitor plates and the fall distance were determined.