Device for Subjecting Particles to Electrical Impulses

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The invention describes a device for processing particles using electrical pulses within a specialized vertical pipe system. Particles are fed into the top of a vertically arranged tube (the reaction chamber), through which they fall, while a fluid (gas or liquid) flows upward against the particles' motion. Integrated non-protruding electrodes, powered by a fast Marx pulse generator, apply precise electric pulses to the falling particles, thereby weakening or partially breaking them down. The design allows for efficient treatment of coarse particles, making them easier to mechanically crush in subsequent steps, and enables the selective and energy-efficient processing of materials with minimal equipment wear and continuous operation.

Use CasesContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Pre-treatment of ores and mineral concentrates to weaken structure for more efficient mechanical grinding or extraction.
• Recycling applications, such as weakening composite materials for easier separation of valuable components.
• Processing of construction and demolition waste to facilitate selective size reduction and recovery of materials.
• Pharmaceutical or chemical industries for pre-processing bulk crystalline materials before further size reduction.
• Selective liberation of metal-bearing minerals for more effective downstream processing.

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Increases efficiency and sustainability of mineral and ore processing by reducing mechanical energy requirements.
• Prevents equipment wear by ensuring electrodes do not come into direct contact with abrasive particles.
• Enables continuous and controlled operation with adjustable residence time and particle discharge, improving throughput.
• Selective and energy-efficient treatment, as energy is delivered directly to the particles via fast electric pulses.
• Allows particle fractions to be separated optimally for further processing, thereby enhancing material recovery rates and reducing waste.

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Patent Abstract

The invention relates to devices for stressing particles (9) by means of electric pulses (11) using an apparatus for supplying particles, at least one vertically arranged piece of piping (2) with a reaction space for stressing particles, and an apparatus for discharging particles. The devices are distinguished, in particular, in that they are already present in a manner better or completely separated into relatively coarse fractions for the purpose of subsequent comminution. To this end, the piece of piping (2) and therefore the reaction space is a flow duct of a flowable medium (10). Furthermore, a device (4) which conveys the medium is connected to the pipe section such that the medium flows counter to the direction of movement of particles which are fed to the piece of piping and drop through the piece of piping (2). The pipe section has at least two electrodes (5) which are arranged at a distance from one another and are connected to at least one pulse voltage generator in the form of a Marx generator (6). Furthermore, the electrodes end with or in front of the inner surface of the piece of piping , so that the electrodes (5) do not protrude into the piece of piping(2) and do not impede the flow of the medium in the piece of piping.