Systems and methods for the beneficiation of fine and very fine particles of iron ore are disclosed. The system includes a first triboelectric electrostatic belt-type separator (BSS) which receives and processes a stream of particles with a median particle size (d50) less than 75 microns to generate an iron rich concentrate. The system and method is water-free and carried out in a totally dry metallurgical route. The system also includes at least one air classification device that receives and processes a feed stream of particles to provide the stream of particles with a median particle size (d50) that is less than 75 microns. The system may also include a dryer and de- agglomeration system that receives a feed stream of particles and processes the feed stream of particles to provide the particle stream with a moisture of less than 2%.

The present invention relates to a method and a device for the electrostatic separation of granular mixtures of millimetric or sub-millimetric size, which are composed of non-conductive particles, non-conductive and conductive particles and conductive particles, simultaneously using the electric field E, aerodynamic force and gravity. Said forces are exerted on the particles which are previously charged in an intense electric field E generated by a DC voltage applied to two coaxial cylinders, that constitute electrodes. A mechanical cleaning system detaches the particles from the surface of the electrodes, and facilitates the recovery thereof in a collection system, under the action of cyclone vacuums, in such a way that the cleaning of the electrodes and the collection of the separated particles is continuously performed.

A device for triboelectric charging of a mixture of granules of different materials, the device having a charging chamber with walls delimiting an inner space. The walls define a granule inlet and a granule outlet, the granule inlet and the granule outlet being separated from one another relative to an elevation direction. A blowing device is arranged suitable for generating, in the inner space, an air flow suitable for allowing the granules in the chamber to form a fluidized bed, and a plurality of grids are positioned in the chamber, the grids being suitable for blocking the passage of the granules, the grids forming a set of baffles in the inner space between the granule inlet and the granule outlet.

A method and system for air classification of a milled feed stock includes generating a feed stream by combining the milled feed stock with at least one gasflow element, wherein the milled feed stock includes a plurality of particle sizes. The method and system includes directing the feed stream across a curvilinear surface, such that the milled feed stock in the feed stream separates into a plurality of classification streams, each of the plurality of classification streams based on the particle sizes of the milled feed stock. Therein, the method and system separates the plurality of classification streams and collects each of the plurality of classification streams, thereby classifying the milled feed stock contained therein based on the particle sizes for each of the plurality of classification streams.

A method and system for air classification of a milled feed stock includes generating a feed stream by combining the milled feed stock with at least one gasflow element, wherein the milled feed stock includes a plurality of particle sizes. The method and system includes directing the feed stream across a curvilinear surface, such that the milled feed stock in the feed stream separates into a plurality of classification streams, each of the plurality of classification streams based on the particle sizes of the milled feed stock. Therein, the method and system separates the plurality of classification streams and collects each of the plurality of classification streams, thereby classifying the milled feed stock contained therein based on the particle sizes for each of the plurality of classification streams.

A particle separator is provided for separating small particles from large particles from material. The particle separator includes a conical shaped separator housing that forms a cyclonic separator enclosure, a cover attached at a top portion of the cyclonic separator enclosure, and an opening at a bottom portion of the cyclonic separator enclosure. The cyclonic separator enclosure has an inlet tube with a tangential entry opening along an inner wall of the cyclonic separator enclosure, where the inlet tube projects horizontally outward from an upper portion of the cyclonic separator enclosure. An outlet tube extends upward from a center of the cover with a vacuum unit connected to the outlet tube that creates a vortex in the cyclonic separator enclosure.

A particle separator is provided for separating small particles from large particles from material. The particle separator includes a conical shaped separator housing that forms a cyclonic separator enclosure, a cover attached at a top portion of the cyclonic separator enclosure, and an opening at a bottom portion of the cyclonic separator enclosure. The cyclonic separator enclosure has an inlet tube with a tangential entry opening along an inner wall of the cyclonic separator enclosure, where the inlet tube projects horizontally outward from an upper portion of the cyclonic separator enclosure. An outlet tube extends upward from a center of the cover with a vacuum unit connected to the outlet tube that creates a vortex in the cyclonic separator enclosure.

A photoelectrical device for detection of bacterial cell density includes a substrate, a driving electrode layer, an AC power source and a photoelectric conversion layer. The driving electrode layer is disposed on the substrate and includes a central electrode and a peripheral electrode pattern surrounding the central electrode. A fluid sample is disposed on the driving electrode layer. The AC power source is electrically connected to the driving electrode layer, and used to produce a non-uniform alternating electric field in the fluid sample on the driving electrode layer for driving the target bioparticles to gather up on the central electrode to form a particle cluster. The photoelectric conversion layer is used for receiving a light detecting beam after passing through the particle cluster and outputting an electric current based on the optical density of light detecting beam. The electric current changes as a concentration of the target bioparticles changes.

A photoelectrical device for detection of bacterial cell density includes a substrate, a driving electrode layer, an AC power source and a photoelectric conversion layer. The driving electrode layer is disposed on the substrate and includes a central electrode and a peripheral electrode pattern surrounding the central electrode. A fluid sample is disposed on the driving electrode layer. The AC power source is electrically connected to the driving electrode layer, and used to produce a non-uniform alternating electric field in the fluid sample on the driving electrode layer for driving the target bioparticles to gather up on the central electrode to form a particle cluster. The photoelectric conversion layer is used for receiving a light detecting beam after passing through the particle cluster and outputting an electric current based on the optical density of light detecting beam. The electric current changes as a concentration of the target bioparticles changes.

A device for triboelectric charging of a mixture of granules of different materials, the device having a charging chamber with walls delimiting an inner space. The walls define a granule inlet and a granule outlet, the granule inlet and the granule outlet being separated from one another relative to an elevation direction. A blowing device is arranged suitable for generating, in the inner space, an air flow suitable for allowing the granules in the chamber to form a fluidized bed, and a plurality of grids are positioned in the chamber, the grids being suitable for blocking the passage of the granules, the grids forming a set of baffles in the inner space between the granule inlet and the granule outlet.