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Galton board is an experimental device invented by Francis Galton in 1873. A particle thrown into the Galton board moves down due to gravity and bounces off pegs along its path down. Galton claimed it to be a random system, in which each particle has equal probability of moving to the left or right side of each peg it bounces off. It means that the final distribution of particles in the bottom part of the device shall approximate the shape of the binomial curve or Gaussian distribution. In this work, the behaviour of particles when moving through the Galton board using the discrete element numerical method was studied. The objective was to verify if the result of the simulation with calibrated input parameters of the contact model shows binomial distribution of particles in the bins in the bottom part of the Galton board as in the case of real experiments with various constructions and versions of Galton boards. REFER [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper aims to summarize a modern approach to design of new or optimization of the existing vibration technologies, respectively. The optimization method consists of several necessary phases, which need to take place with utmost precision. In the first phase, a study of the current state of the solved problem is carried out along with analysis of the used bulk material performed as a measurement of mechanical-physical properties. Furthermore, a model of a new structural solution is designed and subjected to a number of simulation experiments using the DEM method. The parameters obtained from the performed simulations are used for manufacturing the vibration separator prototype including the design of a suitable vibration source. Operational tests of the vibration separator are carried out followed by putting the technology into operation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper is focused on efficient sorting of specific electronic waste mixture which is composed of copper wires and plastic granulate. Electronic waste mixture is formed by crushing the electrical cable conductors which are intended for recycling. The aim is to sort the mixture in copper wires and plastic granulate. For an efficient sorting of this mixture a multistage sorting technology is used. The first stage is sieve sorting where large plastic granulate particles and other unwanted elements are separated from the mixture. The second stage is focused on fluidised sorting of plastic granulate out of copper wires. Fluidised sorting is based on the difference in the bulk density between the components, with lighter plastic granules carried away by the stream of air and heavy copper wires remaining on the fluidised bed. The second phase of sorting is performed on an air sorting stand, which consists of a blower, fluidised bed section and a section for discharge of plastic granulate. The emphasis is put on high sorting efficiency. This article provides measured values of mechanical and physical properties of electronic waste mixture, pure copper wires and pure plastic granulate. Plastic granulate without metal components is recycled and used to manufacture new products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]