US4116829A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Magnetic separation, method and apparatus
Assignee: Imerys Minerals Ltd
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Filing: 1976-03-29
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Granted: 1978-09-26
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Expires: 1996-03-29
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus and a method are described for separating magnetizable particles from a fluid in which they are suspended. The apparatus comprises a separating chamber having an inlet and an outlet for permitting fluid to enter and leave the separating chamber, a matrix of a plurality of ferromagnetic filaments arranged substantially parallel to one another and to the general direction of flow of fluid through the matrix and disposed in the separating chamber, magnet means for establishing a high intensity magnetic field in the separating chamber perpendicular to the general direction of flow of the fluid through the matrix, and removal means for removing magnetizable particles attracted to the matrix within the separating chamber. The method comprises establishing a high intensity magnetic field in a matrix of a plurality of ferromagnetic filaments arranged substantially parallel to one another and perpendicular to the direction of the magnetic field and passing fluid containing magnetizable particles through the matrix generally in the direction of alignment of the filaments and removing magnetizable particles retained on the matrix.
Inventors
- 👤 Norman Owen Clark
- 👤 James Henry Peter Watson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 09:53
CPC Classifications
B; B03; B03C; B03C1/00; B03C1/02; B03C1/025; B03C1/031; B03C1/033; B03C1/034; C; C02; C02F; C02F1/00; C02F1/48; C02F1/488
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
188 words
An apparatus, suitable for separating magnetisable particles from a fluid in which they are suspended, said apparatus comprising: (a) a separating chamber including: two opening means provided in said separating chamber for permitting fluid to enter and to leave the separating chamber; and a matrix of a plurality of ferromagnetic filaments wherein each filament is less than 250 microns in diameter, said filaments being arranged substantially parallel to one another in a first direction and disposed in said separating chamber, wherein the fluid containing magnetisable particles in suspension therein, supplied to the separating chamber via one of the two openings therein, flows through the matrix generally in said first direction; (b) magnet means for establishing a high intensity magnetic field within the separating chamber perpendicular to said first direction, whereby the magnetisable particles in suspension in the fluid are magnetised within the magnetic field and attracted to the filaments of the ferromagnetic matrix, whilst the fluid passes through the matrix and exits through the other opening in the separating chamber; and (c) removal means for removing the magnetisable particles attracted to the ferromagnetic matrix within the separating chamber.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
188 words
An apparatus, suitable for separating magnetisable particles from a fluid in which they are suspended, said apparatus comprising: (a) a separating chamber including: two opening means provided in said separating chamber for permitting fluid to enter and to leave the separating chamber; and a matrix of a plurality of ferromagnetic filaments wherein each filament is less than 250 microns in diameter, said filaments being arranged substantially parallel to one another in a first direction and disposed in said separating chamber, wherein the fluid containing magnetisable particles in suspension therein, supplied to the separating chamber via one of the two openings therein, flows through the matrix generally in said first direction; (b) magnet means for establishing a high intensity magnetic field within the separating chamber perpendicular to said first direction, whereby the magnetisable particles in suspension in the fluid are magnetised within the magnetic field and attracted to the filaments of the ferromagnetic matrix, whilst the fluid passes through the matrix and exits through the other opening in the separating chamber; and (c) removal means for removing the magnetisable particles attracted to the ferromagnetic matrix within the separating chamber.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the removal means includes magnetic degaussing means for reducing the residual magnetism of the matrix, when the high intensity magnetic field is no longer applied within the separating chamber.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the filamentary material constituting the matrix comprises a plurality of substantially straight filaments.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the filaments are bound together in bundles.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the diameter of the filaments is from 25 to 50 microns.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the length of the filaments is at least 5 mm.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein the length of the filaments is at least 10 mm.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein of the total volume occupied by the matrix from about 3 to about 75% is occupied by solid filamentary material, the remainder of the volume being void.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
35 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein of the total volume occupied by the matrix from about 10 to about 75% is occupied by solid filamentary material, the remainder of the volume being void.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
35 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the separating chamber is in the form of a cylindrical tube of non-magnetic material, the filaments being arranged substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tube.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
33 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein the means for establishing the magnetic field comprises two or more electromagnet coils of arcuate cross-section positioned around the outer wall of the cylindrical tube.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the diameter of the filaments is from 20 to 100 microns.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
64 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the separating chamber is a cylindrical tube of non-magnetic material, wherein the filaments are contained in a region formed between two substantially parallel foraminous plates of non-magnetic material situated in the separating chamber substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the separating chamber, the filaments being arranged such that they are substantially perpendicular to the plates.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
37 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 13, wherein the means for establishing the magnetic field comprises an electromagnetic coil which surrounds the separating chamber with its axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the separating chamber.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
114 words
A method of separating magnetisable particles from a fluid in which they are suspended, which method comprises: (a) establishing a high intensity magnetic field in a matrix of a plurality of ferromagnetic filaments each filament of a diameter of less than 250 microns said filaments being arranged substantially parallel to one another in a first direction perpendicular to the direction of the magnetic field; (b) passing fluid containing magnetisable particles in suspension therein through the ferromagnetic matrix generally in said first direction, whereby the magnetisable particles are magnetised by the magnetic field and attracted to and retained on the filaments of the matrix; and (c) removing the magnetisable particles retained on the ferromagnetic matrix.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
114 words
A method of separating magnetisable particles from a fluid in which they are suspended, which method comprises: (a) establishing a high intensity magnetic field in a matrix of a plurality of ferromagnetic filaments each filament of a diameter of less than 250 microns said filaments being arranged substantially parallel to one another in a first direction perpendicular to the direction of the magnetic field; (b) passing fluid containing magnetisable particles in suspension therein through the ferromagnetic matrix generally in said first direction, whereby the magnetisable particles are magnetised by the magnetic field and attracted to and retained on the filaments of the matrix; and (c) removing the magnetisable particles retained on the ferromagnetic matrix.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 15, wherein the magnetisable particles are separated from a slurry of water and a mineral.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 15, wherein the intensity of the magnetic field is at least 10,000 gauss.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-09-25 | 1982-03-27 | 1982-09-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-09-25 | 1986-03-27 | 1986-09-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-09-25 | 1990-03-27 | 1990-09-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |