Flocculating apparatus and method

Claim 1

Apparatus for removing magnetic particles from a liquid stream, said apparatus comprising a casing of nonmagnetic material having liquid inlet and outlet passages for liquid flow through said casing, said casing having a generally rectangular interior cross section with the width thereof being substantially greater than the height thereof and the cross-sectional area thereof being substantially equal to the cross-sectional area of each of said passages, a magnet assembly for producing within said casing a magnetic field the lines of force of which are substantially at right angles to the lengthwise fluid flow direction of said casing, whereby said magnetic particles are magnetized and agglomerated during passage through said casing with said liquid stream, said magnet assembly including a first plurality of electromagnets positioned exterior of said casing and along a width thereof, a second like plurality of electromagnets positioned on the opposite exterior of said casing with each of said magnets being substantially opposite a magnet of said first plurality and with the facing poles of each of said opposed magnets being of opposite polarity, an enclosure of magnetic material surrounding said magnet assembly and casing for providing a return path for said magnetic field, and a settling tank connected to said outlet passage into which said liquid stream containing said agglomerated particles is introduced for separation of said agglomerated particles from said liquid.