GB706705A - Improvements in or relating to method and apparatus for the electrostatic separationof corn from its impurities - Google Patents

Abstract

706,705. Treating grain. QUAKER OATS CO. March 5, 1951 [April 17, 1950], No. 5241/51. Class 58. [Also in Group II] In separating impurities from corn by electrostatic means, the mixture is fed on to a rotating cylindical electrode and a high potential applied to a second electrode, the different electrical conductivities of the corn and impurities causing them to be thrown off the cylindrical electrode at different points for collection separately. As shown, the apparatus consists of four such pairs of electrodes, two with voltages in the range 20-40 kv applied to metal strips 27 to cause ionization, and two with voltages in the range 20-28 kv applied. Material is fed on to rollers 25, and ions striking the particles are retained longer by the higher resistance impurities which are thus held for a longer time against the rollers and are carried out at 42. The partly purified stream is then fed to the lower two rollers 25. The voltage applied to the rotating rollers 34 does not form ions, and the impurities are thrown off first and rejected at 43, the cleaned corn being fed out at 41. A current of air may be passed through the electrostatic field and the corn may be sterilized by the ozone produced. This air may be heated to dry the corn. The mixture may be partially dried before being fed to the separator if its moisture content exceeds 15 per cent.