Magnetic separator with helical classifying path

Abstract

Abstract A continuous flow magnetic separator is disclosed for classifying magnetic and paramagnetic particles as concentrate from their mixture with ambient tailings. The separator includes a helical classifying path interior of a non-magnetic, non-conductive conduit, with the conduit wound along a path having an "uphill-downhill" slope with respect to the ambient gravitational bias. A magnetic field (preferably generated by an AC or DC energized coil) is aligned substantially coincident to the axis of generation of the helical path. This magnetic field is confined interior of a high permeability (preferably laminated) magnetic field conducting core having two elements. The first element, to which the coil is attached, is an outer cylindrical conductor (preferably closed at the bottom) defining interiorly thereof a cylindrically shaped inner volume. The second element is a cylindrical rotor having serrated edges and mounted for rotation about the axis of the helical path. The rotor defines between the outer cylindrical conductor and its rotating serrated edges a cylindrical gap into which the helical classifying conduit is placed. Particles to be classified are placed into the helical classifying conduit medially between the concentrate output at the upper end of the helix and the tailings output at the lower end of the helix. Upon rotation of the rotor to wind the magnetic and paramagnetic particles "uphill", a concentrated magnetic field at the serrated edges winds the magnetic concentrate in the helical classifying path to the concentrate output. The tailings move in opposition to the concentrate, gravitationally moving on the downhill slope of the helix through the conduit to the tailings output.

Inventors

• 👤 James W. Allen

Bibliographic Details