Conditioned tribo-electric charging of potash particles

该研究项目是一个更大的研究计划的一部分，以了解和改善摩擦静电分离在北美钾肥加工中的工业应用。摩擦带电是指由于颗粒之间的摩擦接触而在颗粒上产生电荷。 一旦颗粒带电，则可以通过将它们落在两个带相反电荷的板之间来分离它们，这被称为静电分离。摩擦-静电分离的一个重要方面涉及钾碱的条件摩擦充电背后的机制。在这种情况下，在摩擦充电之前将调节剂施加到钾碱混合物。为了使摩擦电分离能够应用于萨斯喀彻温省的钾盐矿，需要对摩擦电充电的机理有更好的理解。 该项目的主要目的是验证离子转移过程控制钾肥的条件摩擦充电的假设。将进行实验测试，以显示调节剂是否在充电前被选择性地吸附和解离，以及离子是否在充电期间被转移。 通过研究在条件摩擦充电过程中的每个步骤的钾碱颗粒上的表面层的组成，将确认潜在的机制。 阐明摩擦带电的机理是北美钾碱静电分离的基础。涉及摩擦带电和静电分离的改进方法将具有显著的益处，其可包括：减少水消耗、减少试剂消耗和减少能量消耗。它还将解释为什么粘土干扰静电分离，以及如何减轻其不利影响。

This research project is part of a larger research program to understand and improve the industrial application of tribo-electrostatic separation to potash processing in North America. Tribo-electric charging refers to the development of electric charge on particles due to frictional contact between the particles. Once the particles are charged, then they can be separated by dropping them between two oppositely charged plates, which is referred to as electrostatic separation. One important aspect of tribo-electrostatic separation concerns the mechanism behind conditioned tribo-electric charging of potash. In this case, conditioning agents are applied to the potash mixture prior to tribo-electric charging. An improved understanding of the mechanism of tribo-electric charging is required to enable tribo-electric separation to be applied in Saskatchewan potash mines. The primary objective of this project is to verify the hypothesis that the process of ionic transfer governs the conditioned tribo-electric charging of potash. Experimental tests will be conducted to show whether conditioning agents are selectively sorbed and dissociated before charging, and if ions are transferred during charging. By investigating the composition of the surface layer on potash particles for each step in the conditioned tribo-electric charging process, the underlying mechanism will be confirmed. Verifying the mechanism behind tribo-electric charging is a foundational step for the implementation of electrostatic separation of potash in North America. An improved process involving tribo-electric charging and electrostatic separation will have significant benefits that could include: reduced water consumption, decreased reagent consumption and decreased energy consumption. It will also explain why clays interfere with electrostatic separation and how their adverse effects can be mitigated.