Patent · US Expired

Methods and apparatus for separating particles using a magnetic barrier

US4235710A · kind A · utility

19Cited by
9References
42Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateJul 3, 1978
Grant dateNov 25, 1980
Priority date
Expiry dateJul 3, 1998

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB03C1/035
  • WIPO fieldChemical engineering
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

A flowable mixture of particles is separated in accordance with the magnetic susceptibilities of the particles by feeding the mixture into a magnetic field in such a manner that the mixture is urged by a non-magnetic force, e.g., gravity, towards the locus at which the magnetic energy gradient H.differential.H/.differential.X of the field is at a maximum. The magnetic energy gradient defines a magnetic barrier along the locus of its maximum magnitude which exerts a magnetic force on the particles in opposition to the non-magnetic feeding force. Particles having a magnetic susceptibility lower than that value at which the force exerted by the magnetic barrier balances the non-magnetic feeding force pass through the barrier, whereas particles of greater magnetic susceptibility are prevented from crossing from one side of the barrier to the other side and may thereafter be recovered separately from the less susceptible particles. Continuous separations may be carried out by giving the mixture a velocity component lengthwise of the barrier such that particles deflected by the barrier will move therealong to a collection point. The magnitude of the maximum magnetic energy gradient may b…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.