| 摘要 |
Particulate material e.g. ore particles is sorted on the basis of the degree of attenuation of microwave radiation by the individual particles. The particles are fed via belts 16, 28 to a detection zone 28 which includes a microwave chamber in which is located wave guide antennae (50) which apply microwaves to the chamber and detect signals propagated through the particles as they pass through the chamber. Processing unit (52) analyses the signals and determines which of the particles exhibit a selected signal attenuation characteristic. Line scan camera (40) provides signals to unit (52) indicative of the relative rise and location of the particles and on the basis of these signals unit (52) controls ejector manifold (41) to eject the relevant particle. Particles of kimberlite can be sorted from gabbro using a microwave frequency of 35 GHz, particles sorted on the basis of water content using a microwave frequency of 246Hz, particles of gold bearing rock from waste rock and particles of coal from waste rock. <IMAGE> |
