This diploma thesis is solving systems design of silo for powdery materials. There is analysis of type choise and silo construction, dimension design and silo strenght calculation. There are described the possibility of emptying the vaults and ways to suppress the possible emergence of the vault using aktive and passive elements, that condustive to flow. It also describes active and passive stress state of the material in the silo. There are evaluated various options for editing the silo for different materials.

La démarche expérimentale menée dans cette thèse a eu comme objectif l'étude de la faisabilité de la séparation électrostatique d'une large gamme de mélanges de matériaux pulvérulents provenant du recyclage des déchets (Al, Cu, ABS, polycarbonate, polystyrène) ou de l'industrie agro-alimentaire (paille, copeaux de bois, semoule). Les recherches se sont focalisées sur des techniques faisant appel à trois mécanismes physiques différents pour la charge des matériaux : la décharge couronne, l'induction électrostatique et l'effet tribo-électrique. Deux nouvelles installations ont été conçues et réalisées, permettent de faciliter la compréhension des phénomènes physiques rencontrés lors de la séparation des particules sous-millimétriques, dont les trajectoires sont difficile à contrôler, en raison des importantes forces aérodynamiques en jeu. La première installation, le séparateur électrostatique multifonctions à électrode-convoyeur, donne la possibilité d'étudier un ou plusieurs des trois mécanismes de charge, en rapport avec les propriétés électriques des matériaux à traiter. La deuxième installation, le séparateur tribo-aéro-électrostatique à électrodes-disques-tournantes, utilise seulement l'effet tribo-électrique pour la charge des matériaux isolants dans un lit fluidisé. Le système de mesures simultanées et continues de la masse et de la charge électrique des produits collectés a facilité l'analyse des phénomènes. Les recherches ont permis de confirmer la séparabilité électrostatique des mélanges de matériaux pulvérulents, en faisant appel à la méthodologie des plans d'expériences pour identifier les facteurs influents et trouver le point de fonctionnement optimal. / The experimental approach undertaken in this thesis was aimed at the study of the feasibility of the electrostatic separation of a wide range mixtures of powdery materials originating from the recycling of waste electric and electronic equipment (Al, Cu, ABS, polycarbonate, polystyrene), or processed in the food industry (straw, wood chips, meal). Researches were focused on techniques using three different physical mechanisms for electrical charging of the materials: corona discharge, electrostatic induction and triboelectric effect. Two new installations have been designed end engineered to facilitate the understanding of the physical phenomena involved in the separation of powdery particles, the trajectories of which are difficult to control, as strongly affected by the aerodynamic forces. The first installation, the belt-type multifunction electrostatic separator, offers the possibility to study one or several of the three charging mechanisms, in relation with the electrical properties of the materials to be processed. The second installation, two-rotating-disks-type tribo-aero-electrostatic separator uses only the triboelectric effect for charging mixtures of insulating materials in a fluidized bed. A system of simultaneous and continuous measurement of mass and electric charge of collected products facilitated the investigation of the physical phenomena. These researches confirm the feasibility of the electrostatic separation of powdery materials, by taking advantage of the design of experiments methodology to identify the influential factors and find the optimum operation conditions.

The theoretical part of the thesis focuses on the description of particulate materials and their mechanical behaviors with a focus on flow properties. Great emphasis is placed on measuring the shear properties using a Jenike shear machine, on the correct procedure for standardized measurement and evaluation using Mohr's circles. The theoretical part focuses on the characterization of particulate matter using a variety of methods available, such as visual, separation, sedimentation, surface methods and methods of scanning field and flow. The practical part is focused on the determination of flow characteristics and surface finishing of finely ground limestone Omyacarb VA with various grain sizes. The surface was modified using stearic acid and calcium stearate. Attention was paid to the influence of the concentration of surface-regulating substances on the flowability of the material. The flowability of commercially supplied material was compared with lab modified materials and the determination of the theoretical content of stearic acid or calcium stearate was accomplished. Shear properties were measured using the Jenike shear machine. The material was further tested by laser diffraction and SEM with EDS particle surface analysis and elemental surface mapping.