Electrostatic Coal Sorting via Charging Rotor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current coal sorting technologies are inefficient and costly, particularly in removing impurities like ash and sulfur, which affect combustion stability, thermal efficiency, and environmental pollution, and require complex wet processing methods.
Innovation Solution
A raw material sorting apparatus utilizing electrostatic sorting with a charging unit and conveyor system to separate coal components based on polarity, effectively charging and sorting carbon, ash, and sulfur particles, reducing impurities and improving coal purity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If wet treating process (spiral, jig, heavy liquid, flotation) is used for coal sorting, then sorting efficiency is improved, but process complexity and cost increase due to water recycling and dehydration requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the complex wet mechanical sorting system (spiral, jig, heavy liquid, flotation) with an electrostatic sorting system that uses electrical fields to separate coal particles from impurities based on their charge characteristics, eliminating the need for water recycling and dehydration processes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the sorting mechanism from mechanical/physical separation based on density and surface properties to electrostatic separation based on electrical charge parameters, allowing for simpler processing without water treatment requirements
2Stability of the object's composition
If bituminous coal is used for coke manufacturing, then coal's phase change property is utilized, but cost increases due to limited resources and supply-demand ratio
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the coal composition parameters by removing impurities through electrostatic sorting, allowing lower-grade coal to achieve the necessary combustion characteristics for coke manufacturing without relying on expensive bituminous coal with specific phase change properties
3Object-affected harmful factors
If anthracite coal is used for sintering to reduce NOx emission, then environmental pollution is reduced, but heat generation rate requirement increases cost constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses electrostatic fields (analogous to pneumatic/hydraulic systems in function) to separate impurities from coal, improving combustion efficiency and heat generation rate while maintaining low NOx emission characteristics through better fuel quality control
4Power
If coal with high ash and sulfur content is burnt, then energy is released, but equipment abrasion and corrosion increase maintenance time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts harmful impurities (ash and sulfur) from coal particles using electrostatic sorting before combustion, allowing the coal to release energy while minimizing equipment abrasion and corrosion that would otherwise require frequent maintenance
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The apparatus enhances coal charging efficiency, reduces equipment maintenance, and minimizes environmental pollution by efficiently sorting impurities, allowing for continuous processing and cost-effective utilization of low-quality coal.
Implementation Method 1
a charging rotor rotatably provided in the charging chamber to apply an impact to the raw material supplied from the raw material supply unit by a rotation force thereof
Implementation Method 2
an electrostatic sorting unit configured to separate the raw material charged in the charging unit according to polarities of the raw material
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for separating the main component constituting a raw material from impurities includes: a raw material supply unit for supplying a raw material; a charging unit for charging the raw material supplied from the raw material supply unit; an electrostatic sorting unit for sorting the raw material, which has been charged by the charging unit, according to polarity; and a storage unit for collecting the raw material sorted by and falling from the electrostatic sorting unit, wherein the charging unit includes a charging chamber having a space therein for charging the raw material supplied from the raw material supply unit, and a charging rotor rotatably provided in the charging chamber, for impacting the raw material supplied from the raw material supply unit by the rotating force, thus effectively separating the impurities such as ash and sulfur contained in a raw material, e.g. coal.