N-body simulation of electrically charged plastic particles motion in free-fall electrostatic separator

A mathematical model of electrically charged plastic particles movement in the free-fall electrostatic separator is discussed based on the theoretical analysis and experimental observation. The formulated model considers both field-to-particle and also particle-to-particle interactions and takes into account stochastic characteristics of the model parameters. Simulation of particle motion, therefore, represents solution of a coupled problem of electric field and N-body dynamic problem. An adaptive algorithm for simulation of the problem is proposed and finally verified by simulation experiments and also measurement of the separation process on laboratory prototype.