METHOD AND APPLIANCE FOR DETECTING DIAMOND SPHERES IN A MASS OF PARTICLES AND DIAMOND SEPARATOR AND DEVICE FOR FEEDING THE PARTICLES

摘要

Diamond particles are distinguished from non-diamond, associated particles on the basis of their higher refractive index. The particles are brought to a specific location, typically in a stream of water flowing full in a vertical duct 10, and a beam of collimated electromagnetic radiation (from a source 16) is directed at them. An array of radiation detectors 18 is provided to detect refracted and/or reflected radiation. The array is so configured that the responses of the detectors, considered collectively at 24, will be indicative of the presence of a diamond when a diamond is in fact present. However, when a particle having a substantially lower refractive index is present, the response of the detectors will not be so indicative. The diamond and non-diamond particles can subsequently be sorted from one another at 26. IMAGE