Vacumag magnetic separator and process

Abstract

An apparatus for separating a stream of particles with individual sizes smaller than 300 μm and magnetic properties ranging from collective magnetism as in ferromagnetism to paramagnetism to diamagnetism. The apparatus includes a plurality of stages for separating a stream of particles. The apparatus includes a magnetic component producing a magnetic force associated with each stage. The apparatus includes an aerodynamic component producing an aerodynamic force associated with each stage, where the more magnetic component or components of a feed of particles for each stage is separated and either or both the less magnetic product and the more magnetic product of each stage are the feed for separate succeeding stages with each stage and where the magnetic and aerodynamic forces along with gravimetric forces of each stage are chosen to separate more strongly magnetic particles from less magnetic particles. A method for separating a stream of particles with individual sizes smaller than 300 μm and magnetic properties ranging from collective magnetism as in ferromagnetism to paramagnetism to diamagnetism.

1 . An apparatus for separating a stream of particles with individual sizes smaller than 300 μm and magnetic properties ranging from collective magnetism as in ferromagnetism to paramagnetism to diamagnetism comprising:
 a plurality of stages for separating a stream of particles;   a magnetic component producing a magnetic force associated with each stage; and   an aerodynamic component producing an aerodynamic force associated with each stage, where the more magnetic component or components of a feed of particles for each stage is separated and either or both the less magnetic product and the more magnetic product of each stage are the feed for separate succeeding stages with each stage and where the magnetic and aerodynamic forces along with gravimetric forces of each stage are chosen to separate more strongly magnetic particles from less magnetic particles, the aerodynamic component includes one or more gas injection nozzles.   
   
   
       2 . An apparatus as described in  claim 1  wherein the gas injection nozzles including air knives, pitot tubes, and/or perforated pipe distributors are used to inject gas at a rate greater than 0.1 m/s in order to mix the particles, to disperse agglomerated particles, and to blast particles off of the conveyor belt surface which are less magnetic than those which are held to the surface. 
   
   
       3 . An apparatus as described in  claim 2  wherein the injected gas is heated to dry the particles being separated. 
   
   
       4 . An apparatus as described in  claim 3  wherein the magnetic and aerodynamic forces along with gravimetric forces separate more magnetic particles from a stream of less magnetic particles. 
   
   
       5 . An apparatus for separating a stream of particles with individual sizes smaller than 300 μm and magnetic properties ranging from collective magnetism as in ferromagnetism to paramagnetism to diamagnetism comprising:
 a plurality of stages for separating a stream of particles;   a magnetic component producing a magnetic force associated with each stage; and   an aerodynamic component producing an aerodynamic force associated with each stage, where the more magnetic component or components of a feed of particles for each stage is separated and either or both the less magnetic product and the more magnetic product of each stage are the feed for separate succeeding stages with each stage and where the magnetic and aerodynamic forces along with gravimetric forces of each stage are chosen to separate more strongly magnetic particles from less magnetic particles, the aerodynamic component includes at least one blowing mechanism with at least one valve to control fluid flow through the blower mechanism.   
   
   
       6 . A method for separating a stream of particles with individual sizes smaller than 300 μm and magnetic properties ranging from collective magnetism as in ferromagnetism to paramagnetism to diamagnetism comprising the steps of:
 separating a stream of particles in a plurality of stages;   producing a magnetic force associated with each stage; and   producing an aerodynamic force associated with each stage, where the more magnetic component or components of a feed of particles for each stage is separated and either or both the less magnetic product and the more magnetic product of each stage are the feed for separate succeeding stages with each stage and where the magnetic and aerodynamic forces along with gravimetric forces of each stage are chosen to separate more strongly magnetic particles from less magnetic particles.   
   
   
       7 . A method as described in  claim 6  including the step of separating magnetic particles from less magnetic particles with particle size generally less than 300 μm in diameter with grain densities generally as great as or greater than that of magnetite. 
   
   
       8 . A method as described in  claim 6  including the step of rotating a shell for conveying particles for separation. 
   
   
       9 . An apparatus for separating a stream of particles with individual sizes smaller than 300 μm and magnetic properties ranging from collective magnetism as in ferromagnetism to paramagnetism to diamagnetism comprising:
 a plurality of stages for separating a stream of particles;   a magnetic component producing a magnetic force associated with each stage;   an aerodynamic component producing an aerodynamic force associated with each stage, where the more magnetic component or components of a feed of particles for each stage is separated and either or both the less magnetic product and the more magnetic product of each stage are the feed for separate succeeding stages with each stage and where the magnetic and aerodynamic forces along with gravimetric forces of each stage are chosen to separate more strongly magnetic particles from less magnetic particles, the aerodynamic component includes at least one blowing mechanism with at least one valve to control fluid flow through the blower mechanism; and   a rotating shell for conveying particles for separation.