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 for designing one part of an electrostatic separating device of a mixture of different material granules, the method including providing a sorting performance value to be met by the device when at least one predefined mixture is introduced into the device to be sorted, optimizing a value of at least one parameter of the set of parameters relating to the device part by using an optimization technique, the optimization technique including the use of a sorting performance model of the device, and the optimization technique occurring under the constraint that the sorting performed by the device has the given sorting performance value.

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.

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.

An electrostatic separation device (is for a mixture of granules of different materials. The device includes a separation chamber having an inlet and delimiting an inner volume and a collection device for granules placed in the inner volume, opposite the inlet. At least two pairs of electrodes are successively placed in the elevation direction in the inner volume, between the inlet and the collection device. Each pair includes an anode and a cathode, placed on either side of a central axis extending in the elevation direction. At least one generating system is suitable for applying a difference in electric potential between the anode and the cathode of each pair.

A process for fractionating a feed mixture derived from dried brewer's spent grains (BSG) or distiller's grains (DDG) or distiller's dried grains and mixed with solubles (DDGS) is disclosed. The process includes using a single-step tribo-electrostatic separation process and device to separate the feed mixture by supplying the feed mixture to a tribo-electric separator and simultaneously charging and separating the feed mixture into at least two subfractions, with one of the subfractions having a protein composition higher than the feed mixture and higher than that could be obtained otherwise.

A method is useful for triboelectrically charging chemically conditioned bulk salt mixtures by mechanically moving the bulk salt mixture in a container by at least one vertical mixer.

A tribo-electro static separation process and system for the preparation of various food and feed products. A tribo-electric separation process and system for fractionating a feed mixture comprising at least two members of the group of proteins, starches, soluble and insoluble fibers. Namely, supplying a feed mixture comprising at least two of the group of proteins, starches, soluble and insoluble fibers to a tribo-electric separator and simultaneously charging and separating the feed mixture into at least two subfractions, with one of the subfractions enriched in one of protein, starch and fiber and having a composition different than the feed mixture.

A system for removing debris from a surface of a substrate, the system including a cantilever arm and a tip supported by the cantilever arm. The tip has a proximal portion and a distal portion such that the tip is supported by the cantilever arm via the proximal portion. The system further includes at least one nanofibril attached to the distal portion of the tip, and the at least one nanofibril is configured to elastically deform against or around the debris or the surface of the substrate.

A method of making a fluorinated fibrous web, which method includes providing a nonwoven web 22 that contains polymeric fibers, creating a plasma that contains fluorine atoms at a first location 14, and contacting the nonwoven web with products from the plasma at a second location 26 remote from the first location 14. The method avoids exposure of the web to the plasma and hence expands the manufacturing processing window. Webs so fluorinated have a different C.sub.3F.sub.4H.sup.+ to C.sub.2F.sub.5.sup.+ ratio when compared to locally fluorinated webs having similar levels of surface fluorination. The remote fluorinated webs can be subsequently charged electrically to provide a good performing electret filter 40 suitable for use in an air purifying respirator 30. Webs fluorinated in accordance with this invention also may exhibit good performance even after being aged at high temperatures.