TEP™, Ultra-pure Operation

TFS offers TEP systems for purifying 2-850 µm sized powders. Shown at left is our 200 lb/hr platform and separator for ultra-pure operational conditions. It is constructed using 304 stainless steel; pipes and tubing connect with compression fittings; noble or other purified gases transport the powder from a stainless steel feeder through the electric field separation zone and on to product collection. Laboratory-scale systems having feed capacities as small as 10 lb/hr are available. The system is scalable up to feed capacities of 1000 lb/hr; its effective footprint is 12 feet x 15 feet.

TEP systems for operation under normal air conditions and in either vertical or horizontal orientation are also available. The latter optimizes purification for mixtures having large differences between particle densities. A vertical orientation, 10 lb/hr separator cell is shown at the right. Although it does not include HEPA filters for co-flow air treatment, filtering can be accommodated if required. The usable particle size range is 2-850 µm, and it is scalable up to 1000 lb/hr feed capacities.

Automated Foam Index Technique (AFIT™):

The AFIT™ instrument quantifies the dynamic foaming properties of air entraining agents, surfactants and foaming materials.  It makes these measurements without intrusion of a probe or device into a working environment.  Appropriate foam stabilities are necessary for proper performance of the materials onto/into which AEA’s or surfactants are applied.  Stable foams have stable bubbles; unstable foams have breaking bubbles.  When bubbles break they produce unique acoustic signatures, the dynamic properties of which are measured by the detectors incorporated into the AFIT™ instrument.  The outcome is quantitative, repeatable foam index values and foaming measurements.

For example, the following Figures show linearly increasing foam index values as the amount of a coal combustion ash increases in cement-ash mixtures and as the amount of a high foam index coal combustion ash is increased in ash-ash mixtures.  The time required for each data point within these figures is near 15 seconds.

Foam index values of cement-ash mixtures.

Foam index values of ash-ash mixtures.