MECHANICAL SEPARATION OF STONES FROM POTATOES BY MEANS OF ROTARY BRUSHES

摘要

A study was conducted on the transaxial brush separation of stones from potatoes. A mathematical analysis was made of a modified brush and object system in which one bristle from each brush supports a cylinder of unit length. The results of this theoretical study indicated that separation of objects with a specific gravity ratio of 2 1/2:1 and a size range of 1％ to 4 inches is possible with this separation. Tests on a prototype separation showed that separating efficiency did not depend on brush speed, loading rate or separation slope. Brush spacing was found to be the only significant parameter for this type of separation.