Astec Industries, Inc.
APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR THE SEPARATION OF LIGHT-WEIGHT DEBRIS FROM FLOWABLE MATERIAL STREAMS

Abstract:

An apparatus for removing lightweight debris from a debris-contaminated stream of heavier material. The apparatus includes an enclosed chamber having a material inlet, a chute having a free portion through which the stream can freely fall due to gravity, and a material outlet positioned below the chute. A material stream flows into the chamber via the inlet and then a portion of the stream falls through the free portion and exits the chamber via the outlet. An airflow pathway guides airflows into the chamber via an airflow inlet and out of the chamber via an airflow outlet. An airflow flowing through the airflow pathway that separates a first portion of the debris-contaminated stream from a heavier portion of the debris-contaminated stream. The airflow then carries the first portion out of the chamber via the airflow outlet.