Experimental analysis of a new attraction force applied on metal particles

• Published in: Particulate science and technology Vol. 38; no. 4; pp. 505 - 510
• Main Authors: Alibida, Ahmed, Zelmat, Samir, Zelmat, Mohamed Elmouloud, Neagoe, Marian Bogdan, Miloua, Farid, Dascalescu, Lucien, Tilmatine, Amar
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Philadelphia Taylor & Francis 18.05.2020; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: Attraction; attraction force; Conveyors; electrical curtain; Engineering Sciences; Function generators; High voltages; Inclination; Mechanical devices; Metal particles; metal piece; Micronized particles; particles; Traveling wave; Traveling waves; Voltage amplifiers; Waveforms; metal piece; Traveling wave; electrical curtain; particles; attraction force
• ISSN: 0272-6351; 1548-0046
• DOI: 10.1080/02726351.2019.1600084

A traveling wave conveyor (TWC) is generally employed for moving high-resistivity micronized particles. In this study, a planar TWC was used to analyze the attraction force applied on metal pieces. A three-phase conveyor comprising parallel electrodes that obtained power from high-voltage amplifiers (2 kV, 20 mA) controlled by digital function generators was used for analyzing the attraction force on 15 × 15 mm 2 square metal pieces made of copper, bronze, and steel. The TWC was fixed on a mechanical device that allowed its manual inclination from 0° (horizontal; initial condition) to 180°. The intensity of the force was then estimated by measuring the drop angle at which the metal piece detached from the surface of the conveyor. The obtained results revealed the existence of an attraction force that depends on the frequency, amplitude, and waveform of the applied voltage. This force is maximum at high voltages and frequencies and for a square waveform.