ELECTROSTATIC SEPARATION OF SOLIDS FROM LIQUIDS.

An electrostatic technique has been developed for the removal of fine solid particles from hydrocarbon streams in petroleum refining. New applications are now being found in the chemical, food and metals industries. Electrostatic separation has proved to be an improvement over conventional methods of removing catalyst fines and other solids from refinery streams and is expected to be equally effective in the processing of edible fats and oils. It is claimed that the separator is an attractive alternative to conventional filtration/separation processes, e. g. cartridge filters, hydrocyclones and sedimentation tanks.