Pilot-Scale Testing of a Vibrating Electrostatic Separator for Fly Ash Decarbonization

A new electrostatic separator has been developed for the removal of unburned carbon from fly ash. In this separator, a flowing film of fly ash is created on the surface of a vibrating electrode. Conducting particles such as unburned carbon acquire electrostatic charges and jump out of the flowing film so that they can be removed from the non-conducting fly ash particles moving forward. The new separator has been tested successfully using a pilot-scale test unit at 0.5 tons/hr capacity. Based on the successful test results, a larger unit is being constructed at the present time.