Conditioned tribo-electric charging of potash particles

这项研究项目是一个更大的研究计划的一部分，该计划旨在了解和改进摩擦-静电分离在北美钾肥加工中的工业应用。摩擦带电是指粒子之间由于摩擦接触而产生的电荷。一旦粒子带电，它们就可以通过将它们放在两个相反带电的平板之间来分离，这就是所谓的静电分离。摩擦静电分离的一个重要方面涉及钾盐条件摩擦带电背后的机理。在这种情况下，在摩擦带电之前将调理剂应用于钾盐混合物。为了在萨斯喀彻温省的钾矿中应用摩擦带电分离，需要更好地了解摩擦带电的机理。 这个项目的主要目标是验证离子转移过程支配钾盐条件摩擦带电的假设。将进行实验测试，以显示调理剂在充电前是否被选择性地吸附和解离，以及充电期间是否有离子转移。通过研究条件摩擦带电过程中每一步钾盐颗粒表面层的组成，可以确定其潜在的机理。 验证摩擦带电机理是北美实施钾盐静电分选的基础。采用摩擦带电和静电分离的改进工艺将有显著的好处，包括：减少用水量、减少试剂消耗和减少能源消耗。它还将解释为什么粘土干扰静电分离，以及如何减轻它们的不利影响。

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.