GB1578073A

GB1578073A - Methods and apparatus for separating particles using a magnetic barrier

Info

Publication number: GB1578073A
Application number: GB607077A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Frantz Co Inc S G
Current assignee: Frantz Co Inc S G
Priority date: 1976-03-18
Filing date: 1977-02-14
Publication date: 1980-10-29
Also published as: SE425220B; CA1080667A; SE7703023L; JPS52114168A; JPS5346510B2; FR2344338A1; JPS53140668A; DE2712021A1; FR2344338B1; JPS561942B2

Description

(54) METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR SEPARATING PARTICLES USING A MAGNETIC BARRIER (71) We, S. G. FRANTZ COMPANY INC., a Corporation organised under the laws of New Jersey of East Darrah Lane, P.O. Box 1138, Trenton, New Jersey 08606, U.S.A., do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement:- The present invention relates in general to magnetic separation and, in particular, to improved methods and apparatus for making continuous magnetic separations of flowable mixtures of particles of different magnetic susceptibilities.

Heretofore magnetic separators have fallen generally into two classes, those which employ a katadynamic magnetic field i.e., a field in which the magnetic force exerted on a paramagnetic particle (as used herein including ferromagnetic and ferrimagnetic particles) increases in the direction of increasing magnetic field strength, and those which employ an isodynamic magnetic field, i.e., a field in which the force exerted on a paramagnetic particle is substantially constant throughout the working area of the field. The prior art also discloses an anadynamic magnetic field, i.e., a field in which the magnetic force exerted on a paramagnetic particle decreases in the direction of increasing field strength. Uses of the anadynamic field for magnetic separation have not been broadly developed.

Typically, katadynamic magnetic separators make separations by attracting particles towards the magnetic poles or by otherwise deflecting the particles from their original path of travel through the separator. They have the advantage that many pole piece configurations may be used, thereby allowing flexibility in the design and arrangement of the pole pieces to suit particular applications, and of allowing control of the magnetic force exerted on the particles to be separated by adjustment of the spacing between the pole pieces or the applied magnetic field intensity, or both.Separators of this type, however, have either brought the particles into contact with the poles, thus presenting a cleaning problem among others, or have required the use of moving elements, such as belts, discs, or the like, or a moving fluid stream to intercept particles attracted or deflected by the field and carry them out of the working area of the field for collection. In addition, prior katadynamic separators have largely been limited to the separation of ferromagnetic and paramagnetic particles. In the main, they have not been successfully applied to the separation of diamagnetic materials.

The first magnetic separator to employ an isodynamic working field was disclosed by S. G. Frantz and patented by him in U.S. Patent No. 2,056,426, issued on October 6, 1936 and assigned to the assignee of the present application. Such separators are manufactured by the S. G. Frantz Company, Inc., Trenton, New Jersey under the Trade Mark Isodynamic. The Frantz Isodynamic magnetic separator affords advantages relative to the katadynamic magnetic separator in that it permits precise separations according to magnetic susceptibilities of both paramagnetic and diamagnetic materials. It also enables separations to be made continuously and without bringing the particles into contact with the pole pieces or without requiring the use of mechanical elements or a moving fluid stream to intercept and remove the particles from the magnetic field.Unlike the katadynamic separator, however, the Isodynamic separator requires specially shaped pole pieces to establish the isodynamic field. The configuration and separation of the pole pieces, once determined, cannot readily be varied to allow adjustment of the magnetic force exerted on the particles without loss of the isodynamic character of the field.

The present invention is directed to the provision of improved magnetic separation methods and apparatus which combine in a unique way the advantages and capabilities of katadynamic, isodynamic, and anadynamic magnetic fields.

According to the present invention there is provided an apparatus for separating a flowable mixture of particles in accordance with the magnetic susceptibilities of the particles, comprising: means for establishing a non-uniform magnetic field consisting primarily of, in a direction transverse to the direction of the field and in contiguous sequence, a katadynamic field region, an isodynamic field region, and an anadynamic field region, the dimension of the isodynamic field region in said transverse direction being small relative to the dimension in said transverse direction of either the anadynamic field region or the katadynamic field region, whereby the magnetic energy gradient HaH aX of said magnetic field in said transverse direction is at a maximum at the locus of said isodynamic field region and decreases therefrom on either side thereof;; means for feeding a mixture of particles into the magnetic field on one side of the locus of said maximum transverse gradient in such a manner that the particles are urged by non-magnetic force in said transverse direction towards locus of maximum transverse gradient; said field establishing means and said mixture feeding means being arranged such that the magnitude of the transversely acting magnetic force exerted by said maximum transverse gradient in the direction opposite to the transverse direction of movement of the particles towards said locus, on those particles having a magnetic susceptibility equal to or greater than a selected susceptibility at which a separation is to be effected is greater than the transversely acting non-magnetic force urging said particles towards said locus, whereby said particles of equal or greater susceptibility are prevented by the magnetic force acting thereon from passing from said one side of the locus of maximum transverse gradient to the other side while particles having a magnetic susceptibility less than said selected susceptibility are urged across the locus of maximum transverse gradient by the transversely acting non-magnetic force; and means for collecting the particles prevented from passing from said one side of the locus of maximum transverse gradient to the other side separately from the particles which cross said locus.

The invention also provides a method for separating a flowable mixture of particles in accordance with the magnetic susceptibilities of the particles, comprising: establishing a non-uniform magnetic field having in a direction transverse to the direction of the field, in contiguous sequence, a katadynamic field region, an isodynamic field region, and an anadynamic field region, whereby the magnetic energy gradient HaH aX in said transverse direction is at maximum at the locus of said isodynamic field region and decreases therefrom on either side thereof; ; feeding a mixture of particles into the magnetic field on one side of the locus of maximum transverse gradient in a manner such that the particles are urged by nonmagnetic force in said transverse direction towards the locus of maximum transverse gradient, the magnitude of the maximum transverse gradient being such that particles having a magnetic susceptibility to the field equal to or greater than a selected susceptibility at which a separation is to be effected are prevented by the transverse magnetic force acting thereon from passing from said one side of the locus of maximum transverse gradient to the other side while particles having a magnetic susceptibility to the field less than said selected susceptibility are urged across the locus of maximum transverse gradient by the non-magnetic force; and collecting the particles which do not cross said locus of maximum transverse gradient separately from the particles which cross said locus.

Particles within the mixture having a magnetic susceptibility greater than that value at which the magnetic force exerted by the maximum energy gradient on the particles balances the non-magnetic force urging the particles towards the locus of maximum energy gradient are prevented by the magnetic force from crossing from the side of the locus from which they were fed to the other side, while particles of lower magnetic susceptibility cross the locus. The locus of the maximum magnetic energy gradient thus defines a magnetic barrier along which more magnetically susceptible particles may be separated from less susceptible particles. Any suitable non-magnetic force may be used to urge the mixture towards the barrier, including, for example, gravitational, centrifugal, fluid viscous force, frictional force and the like.

In accordance with the invention, the magnetic field is established using a pair of spaced-apart pole pieces having opposing faces that are shaped in cross-section to form a katadynamic field on one side of the locus of maximum magnetic energy gradient and an anadynamic field on the other side of the locus. An isodynamic field exists at the locus of maximum magnetic energy gradient. This field combination allows both paramagnetic and diamagnetic particles to be separated.

When paramagnetic particles are to be prevented from crossing the magnetic barrier, the mixture is fed between the pole pieces from the anadynamic field side of the locus of maximum gradient. The paramagnetic particles will therefore move towards the barrier in opposition to the magnetic force exerted on them by the anadynamic field. When the barrier is to be used to prevent diamagnetic particles from crossing thereover, the feed direction is reversed and the particles are fed between the pole pieces from the katadynamic field side of the locus of maximum gradient. Progress of the diamagnetic particles through the barrier will therefore be opposed by the magnetic force exerted on them by the katadynamic field. The strength of the barrier is defined by the energy gradient of the isodynamic field which is the locus of the maximum energy gradient.

According to a further feature of the invention, the opposing pole faces are preferably symmetrical in cross-section to provide a region in the vicinity of the plane of symmetry of the pole faces in which the magnetic energy gradient in the direction normal to the plane of symmetry is small in comparison to the maximum energy gradient defining the magnetic barrier. By feeding the mixture between the pole pieces generally along the plane of symmetry of the pole faces, the magnetic force tending to attract the particles towards either pole face is minimized. This facilitates separation of the mixture according to magnetic susceptibility and without bringing the particles into contact with the poles. If desired, the pole faces may be coated, e.g., with a corrosion resistant material, to confine particle flow to the vicinity of the plane of symmetry.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the pole pieces are elongated and are shaped in cross-section to establish a magnetic field therebetween in which the direction of the magnetic energy gradient HaH/aX is transverse to the lengthwise direction of the pole pieces and is at a maximum at a locus in the vicinity of the line of closest approach of the opposing pole faces. The mixture is fed between the pole faces so as to have velocity components in the direction of the locus of maximum gradient, i.e., the magnetic barrier, and lengthwise of the locus, so that the particles deflected by the barrier move lengthwise thereof to a downstream point where they may be collected separately from the particles which cross the barrier.Preferably, provision is made for control of the angle of approach of the particles towards the barrier to permit adjustment of the magnitude of the velocity component which must be opposed by the magnetic force of the barrier. This arrangement enables continuous separations to be effected by providing for continuous movement of the particles through the magnetic field and for continuous collection of the magnetic and non-magnetic fractions. In a convenient arrangement, flow of the mixture through the magnetic field is confined within an elongate flow channel positioned between the pole pieces in generally parallel alignment therewith. The pole pieces and the flow channel are inclined to the horizontal both in the transverse direction and in the lengthwise direction, with the result that the mixture is urged by gravity along a path of travel which crosses the locus of maximum gradient.Particles deflected by the barrier, however, are diverted from such flow path and flow through the channel along the locus of the barrier. Separate particle outlets from the channel permit separate collection of the magnetic and non-magnetic fractions.

Desirably, the flow channel is located generally along the plane of symmetry of the pole faces so as to minimize the magnetic force on the particles in the direction normal to the plane of the flow channel.

As another feature of the invention, provision may be made for varying the magnitude of the maximum magnetic energy gradient along the length of its locus.

This may be done in several ways, including varying the spacing between the opposing pole faces along the line of closest approach therebetween, varying the intensity of the magnetic field, and varying the shape of the pole faces which create the katadynamic isodynamic and anadynamic fields. In one such arrangement, the barrier height may be maintained at the maximum value and substantially uniform over an upstream region of the magnetic field and then caused to decrease in a downstream region. The particles which do not cross the barrier move lengthwise along the barrier in the upstream field region but are released to pass through the barrier, for collection purposes, upon reaching the downstream region.

In another embodiment, a plurality of pairs of pole pieces may be arranged in side by side relation to establish a succession of magnetic barriers. By feeding the mixture through these barriers in succession, particles of different magnetic susceptibilities may be deflected and subsequently collected, along each barrier.

For a better understanding of the invention, reference may be made to the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments thereof, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a representation of a magnetic circuit useful in establishing a magnetic field in accordance with the invention; Figures 2a and 2b are enlarged schematic views of the pole pieces of the magnetic circuit of Figure 1; Figures 3a, 3b and 3c are graphical representations of the variations over the cross-section of the pole pieces of Figures 2a and 2b of certain parameters of the magnetic field established between the pole faces; Figure 4a is a schematic view of the pole pieces of Figures 2a and 2b as arranged to deflect paramagnetic particles along the magnetic barrier established therebetween against the force of a gravity particle feed;; Figure 4b is a graph of the magnetic forces acting on the particles fed between the pole pieces of Figure 4a; Figure 5a is a schematic view of the pole pieces of Figures 2a and 2b as arranged to deflect diamagnetic particles along the magnetic barrier established therebetween against the force of a gravity particle feed; Figure Sb is a graph of the magnetic forces acting on the particles fed between the pole pieces of Figure Sa; Figures 6a, 6b and 6c illustrate various ways in which the strength of the magnetic barrier may be varied; Figure 7 is a pictorial representation of a magnetic barrier created in accordance with the invention in which the strength of the barrier is shown as height at the locus of maximum energy gradient;; Figure 8a is a pictorial representation of a magnetic barrier having a substantially uniform strength in an upstream region of the magnetic field and a decreasing strength in a downstream region of the field; Figure 8b is a cross-sectional view of pole pieces useful in producing the magnetic barrier of Figure 8a; Figure 9a is a schematic view of a flow channel and magnetic barrier arrangement for separating paramagnetic particles in accordance with the invention; Figure 9b is a diagram of the magnetic and gravitational forces acting on particles in the separator arrangement of Figure 9a; Figure 10a is a schematic view of a flow channel and magnetic barrier arrangement for separating diamagnetic particles in accordance with the invention Figure 10b is a diagram of the forces acting on particles in the separator arrangement of Figure 10a; ; Figure 11 is a schematic view of a flow channel and magnetic barrier arrangement in which the barrier strength progressively decreases in the downstream direction; Figure 12a is a schematic view of a flow channel and magnetic barrier arrangement in which a succession of magnetic barriers of progressively increasing strengths are provided; and Figure 12b is a schematic view of a magnetic circuit useful in generating the magnetic barriers depicted in Figure 12a, with parts broken away for clarity of illustration.

For convenience, exemplary embodiments of the invention are described herein by reference to the separation of dry flowable mixtures. It will be understood that the invention is likewise applicable to the separation of particles suspended in a liquid carrier. For example, water, solvent, colloidal suspensions of magnetic particles or other magnetic fluids such as solutions of paramagnetic substances may be used.

Figure 1 depicts in schematic form the magnetic circuit of a separator, including the opposed pole pieces 10a and 10b, a U-shaped core 12 and a winding 14. The winding 14 is adapted to be connected to a conventional source (not shown) of d.c. current. Alternatively, the core and winding and also the poles if so desired could be replaced by a permanent magnet or magnets. In this case the field strength may be varied by adjusting the reluctance of the magnetic circuit.As shown in enlarged detail in Figures 2a and 2b, the pole pieces 10a and 10b are elongated in the direction of axis y-y' and have opposing faces 16a and 16b which are symmetrical in cross-section relative to a plane of symmetry x-x'. For the purpose of establishing a reference system useful in describing the invention hereinafter, the point along axis y-y' coinciding with the remote end of pole pieces 10a and 10b has been designated in Figure 2a as the zero point and the point therealong which coincides with the near end of the pole pieces has been designed y1.

Figure 2b depicts the pole pieces of Figure 2a looking down the y-y' axis.

Since, as noted, the opposing pole faces 16a and 16b are symmetrical relative to the x-x' plane, the magnetic energy gradient in the direction normal to the x-x' plane, and hence the net magnetic force exerted on particles, such as indicated at 18 and 20 in Figure 2b, lying on or near the x-x' plane, is much smaller than the magnetic energy gradient and the resulting net magnetic force acting on the particles in the direction of the x-x' plane. Consequently, there will be little tendency for the particles 18 and 20 to move in the direction of either pole piece 10a or pole piece 10b.The present invention allows full advantage to be taken of this characteristic, as described in more detail hereinafter, by permitting introduction of the particles into the magnetic field generally along the plane of symmetry x-x' of the opposing pole pieces. In this connection, each of the pole faces 16a and 16b may be covered with a corrosion resistant coating 17 which is of a thickness such that particle flow between the pole pieces is confined to the vicinity of the plane of symmetry x-x'. Where such a corrosion resistant coating is provided, all of the parts of the separator which come into contact with the flowable mixture may similar be coated.The coating may comprise any suitable corrosion-resistant, non-magnetic material, e.g. a plastic such as polytetrafluoroethylene, polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride etc., or a ceramic such as glass etc.

The pole faces 16a and 16b are also preferably shaped in cross-section to define over adjacent regions thereof a katadynamic magnetic field and an anadynamic magnetic field separated by an isodynamic field. Various pole face configurations may be used for this purpose. For simplicity, the pole faces 16a and 16b are shown in Figure 2b as being defined by a quarter circle of radius r which merges at its ends into tangential surfaces. As depicted in Figure 2b, the plane passing through the inner ends of the quarter circle portions of faces 16a and 16b passes through the y-y' axis, whereby the y1-O line along the pole faces defines their line of closest approach. TWdistance of such closest approach, hereinafter referred to as the gap between the pole pieces, is designated in Figure 2b as 2d.

Figure 3a depicts the variation of the square of the magnetic field strength H2 and Figure 3b depicts the gradient of the square of the field strength HaH/aX, defined herein as the magnetic energy gradient, produced by the pole faces 16a and 16b along the plane of symmetry x-x'. As shown in Figure 3a, H2 increases toward the right until the line y1-0 is reached, at which point it becomes uniform owing to the parallel planar nature of the pole faces to the right of the y1-O line. The dashed line curve of Figure 3b indicates that the gradient HaHIax increases toward the right until the point of inflection of the H2 curve (Figure 3a) and thereafter decreases to zero at the y1-0 line.To the right of the y1-0 line the energy gradient HaH/aX is zero because the field is uniform over that region. An isodynamic field at the locus of maximum energy gradient HaH/aX defines the strength of the magnetic barrier which extends lengthwise of the pole pieces in the vicinity of the line of their closest approach y1-0. The locus of the maximum magnetic energy gradient, which defines the position of the barrier, is identified in Figures 3a and 3b, and in later views, by the designation XB For convenience of illustration herein, the dashed-line gradient curve of Figure 3b is approximated by two straight lines which connect the peak or maximum gradient value with the zero points on either side of the locus XB The magnetic forces exerted on a small paramagnetic particle by an applied field (assuming a single dimensional case) is given by: FM=KvHaH/aX= +KvaH2/aX ( I ) where FM is the magnetic force (dynes), K is the volume susceptibility, v is the volume of the particle (cm3), H is the magnetic field intensity (Oe), aH/aX is the field gradient along the line x-x' plane (Oe./cm), and rHaH/aX is the magnetic energy gradient (Oe.2/cm).

By convention paramagnetic particles are considered to have positive K values and diamagnetic materials are considered to have negative K values. The magnetic forces exerted on a paramagnetic particle 18 and a diamagnetic particle 20 located between the pole pieces 10a and 10b (Figure 2b) may therefore be represented in the manner shown in Figure 3c. The maximum magnetic force for eit'ner particle occurs at the locus XB of the maximum value of the gradient HaH/aX. For the paramagnetic particle 18, this force, indicated by the curve 22 in Figure 3c, increases in the direction of increasing field strength H2 and is considered to be a positive force. The force exerted on diamagnetic particle 20, indicated by curve 24 in Figure 3c, on the other hand, decreases in the direction of increasing field strength H2 and is considered to be a negative force.Accordingly, the magnetic force +FM acting on paramagnetic particle 18 is toward the right in Figure 3c while the magnetic force FM acting on diamagnetic particle 20 is toward the left. In accordance with the aforementioned definitions, therefore, it may be seen from Figure 3c that the magnetic field established between the pole pieces 10a and 10b is katadynamic over the region to the left of the XB of the maximum gradient HaH/aX, anadynamic over the region to the right of XB. and isodynamic at XB.It will also be appreciated that the magnetic energy gradient HaH/aX, by virtue of the force which it exerts on particles coming within the field, defines a magnetic barrier along the locus XB against the movement thereacross of particles which are subject to a non-magnetic force insufficient to overcome the opposing magnetic force exerted by the barrier. Since the maximum magnetic force is exerted along the locus of maximum gradient, the magnitude or value of the maximum gradient is herein described and represented in the drawings as the barrier. It should be understood that the barrier does not have physical height but consists of a region in the vicinity of the x-x' plane where the magnetic force exerted in the direction of increasing magnetic field on paramagnetic particles and in the reverse direction on diamagnetic particles reaches a maximum.

The manner in which the force illustrated in Figure 3c may be used to separate particles according to their magnetic susceptibilities may be further understood from consideration of Figures 4a and 4b and Figures Sa and Sb. In Figure 4a, the pole pieces 10a and 10b have been tilted such that the plane of symmetry x--x' is inclined at an angle B to the horizontal.If a group of five particles P1, P2, P3, P4 and P5, having decreasing susceptibilities K,+ > K3 > K4 > 0 > Ks, respectively is introduced between the pole pieces from the right along a surface 21, lying in or near the x-x' plane, all of the particles will be urged downward along the surface by a gravitational force FG=mg Sin 0, where m is the mass of the particle, g is the acceleration due to gravity and 8 is the angle of tilt from the horizontal.Particles P, to P4 will be opposed in such movement by a magnetic force +FM proportional to their susceptibilities K1 to K4, and the particle P5 will experience additional downward force FM. If the magnitude of the gravitational force FG is superimposed on a plot of the magnetic forces acting on the respective particles, as has been done in Figure 4b, it may be seen that those particles having a susceptibility K greater than the susceptibility at which the upwardly acting magnetic force FM balances the downwardly acting gravitational force FG will be retained on the right hand side of the barrier locus X,, but that particles of lesser susceptibility or of a negative susceptibilty will cross the barrier locus X6 and continue downward along the surface 21.

The criterion determining whether a particle will be deflected by the magnetic barrier or whether it will penetrate the barrier may be expressed as: FNM=Kov (HaH/aX)max (2) where FNM is the applied non-magnetic force (FG in Figure 4a) tending to urge the particles in the direction of the barrier; K0 is that value of magnetic susceptibility at which, for a constant magnetic energy gradient HaH/aX, the magnetic force acting on a particle will just balance the applied non-magnetic force; and (HaH/aX)maX is the maximum value of the magnetic energy gradient HaH/aX.

For a constant applied non-magnetic force F NM and constant maximum barrier strength (HaH/aX)maX, particles with susceptibilities greater than K0 will be deflected by the barrier while particles of lower susceptibilities will penetrate the barrier. As will be apparent, this criterion affords a basis for separating particles according to their magnetic susceptibilities.

Turning to Figure 4b, it may be seen that the particle P3, which has a susceptibility K3 equal to K0 for the barrier of Figure 4a, will undergo a magnetic force F03 which just balances the gravitational force F0 and that the particle P3 will therefore be prevented from crossing from one side of the barrier to the other side at a balance point X3 which coincides with the locus XB of the barrier. The particles P1 and P2, having still higher magnetic susceptibilities K1 and K2, will be subiect to the stronger magnetic forces F01 and Fop2, respectively, and will be deflected at balance points X1 and X2.The less strongly paramagnetic particle P4, however, which has a susceptibility K4 lower than K,, will experience a magnetic force Fp4 which is insufficient to balance the gravitational force F,, with the result that particle P4 will cross the barrier locus XB. The diamagnetic particle P5, having a negative susceptibility K5, will be subject to a negative magnetic force F05 and will of course pass through the barrier. Diamagnetic particles approaching the barrier in Figure 4a from the right will always pass through the barrier.

Figures 5a and Sb depict a separator arrangement for deflecting diamagnetic particles on the magnetic barrier. In this arrangement, the pole pieces 10a and 10b are tilted in the opposite direction from that of Figure 4a, such that the x-x' plane is inclined to the left at an angle 0', and the particles P1 to P5 are fed along the surface 21 from the left hand side of the barrier locus XB. The paramagnetic particles P, to P4 will be urged downward to the right by both the magnetic forces Fpl to Fp4, see Figure Sa, and the gravitational force F,. They will therefore cross the barrier locus XB without resistance.The diamagnetic particle P5, by contrast, will be opposed by the upwardly acting magnetic force Fop5, and, assuming its susceptibility K5 is more diamagnetic than K0 for the barrier, will be deflected by the barrier at the balance point X5, as shown in Figure Sb.

It has been assumed in the above discussion of Figures 4a and Sa that the barrier strength, i.e., the maximum value of the magnetic gradient HaH/aX, was held constant. This condition, with a constant applied non-magnetic force FNM gives a separation into two fractions, one having susceptibilities greater than K0 and the other having susceptibilities less than Ko. If, however, the barrier strength is varied while maintaining the applied non-magnetic force constant, it is possible to vary the value of K0 at which the barrier will be effective to deflect particles and thereby obtain multiple fractions of different susceptibilities.

Three ways in which the barrier strength may be varied are illustrated in Figures 6a, 6b and 6c, namely, by varying the strength of the applied field, by varying the spacing or gap between the pole pieces, and by varying the crosssectional shape of the opposite pole faces. Figure 6a depicts three barrier strengths corresponding to three different field strengths H1, H2 and H3, where the gap and the pole face shape are unchanged. The strength of the barrier HaH/aX increases with increasing field strength, but changes in the strength of the barrier do not significantly change its locus.

In Figure 6b, the shape of the pole pieces and the applied field strength H have been kept unchanged and the barrier strength varied by changing the gap 2d between the pole pieces. The barriers corresponding to three gaps d1, d2 and d3 are represented, with d1 being the smallest gap and d3 the largest gap. It may also be seen from Figure 6b that the locus x1, X2 and X3 of the respective barriers shifts to the right, i.e., toward the line of closest approach of the pole pieces, with decreasing gap size.

Figure 6c depicts the condition where field intensity and gap size are kept constant and the shape of the pole faces is varied, as, for example, by varying the radius r of the quarter circle portion of the faces. In Figure 6c, r, represents the smallest radius and r3 the largest radius, from which it will be apparent that the strength of the barrier increases as the radius decreases. Here again, the locus X1, X2 and X3 of the respective barriers shifts toward the line of closest approach as the radius of curvature of the pole faces is decreased.

With reference to Figure 7, the magnetic barrier established in accordance with the invention, and specifically the barrier established by the pole piece arrangement of Figures 2a and 2b, may be visualized as a virtual planar member of finite extent, having a locus X6 along the x-x' axis, a strength (HaHlax) max, shown as the height, and a length parallel to the y-y' axis from 0 to y,. The pole pieces are not shown in Figure 7 for clarity.Since the gap between the pole pieces 10a and lOb in the arrangement of Figures 2a and 2b is uniform over the full length of the pieces and since the cross-sectional shape of the pole faces 16a and 16b are likewise uniformly shaped over the full length of the pole pieces, the barrier established between the pole pieces will be of a uniform strength over the full length of the pole pieces.

Figure 8a shows a barrier in which the strength is at a maximum and uniform over the lengthwise region y2 and gradually decreases over the lengthwise region y2-y1. Such a barrier configuration is useful in making continuous separations of a flowable mixture in which the mixture is given velocity components both toward the barrier and along its length, i.e., in the direction of the y-y' axis. Since the direction of the magnetic force generated by the barrier is perpendicular to the barrier, the particles will encounter no resistance to lengthwise movement along the barrier. Hence the particles will be guided by the barrier to a downstream point where they may be collected. This point is depicted in Figure 8a at y2, downstream of which the barrier strength falls off.As the particles prevented from crossing the barrier pass the point y2 they will begin to pass through the barrier as the barrier strength decreases. They may thereupon be intercepted by one or more dividers 26 and guided to a suitable collecting receptacle (not shown).

Pole pieces 10a and lOb useful in establishing the barrier configuration of Figure 8a are shown in lengthwise cross-section in Figure 8b. As there illustrated, the decrease in barrier strength over the downstream region y2-y1 is achieved by progressively increasing the gap 2d in the direction from point y2 to point y,. It will be understood that the variation in barrier strength over the region y2-y1 may also be accomplished by varying the shape of the opposing pole faces.

The mixture of particles may be urged towards and along the magnetic barrier by any suitable non-magnetic force, including, for example, gravitational force, centrifugal force, fluid viscous force, frictional force and the like. Various representative separator arrangements for separating particles according to their magnetic susceptibilities by means of opposing magnetic force to gravitational force are illustrated in Figures 9a, 10a, 11 and 12a. For clarity of illustration of the magnetic barriers and the flow of particles relative thereto, the pole pieces have been omitted from these views.

Figure 9a presents a separator arrangement suitable for separating paramagnetic particles. It includes an elongated non-magnetizable flow channel 28 of generally U-shaped cross-section positioned between the pole pieces (not shown) in generally parallel alignment therewith. Preferably, the channel is located such that its transverse plane is in or near the plane of symmetry x-x' of the pole pieces.

As shown in Figure 9a, the channel 28 has a transverse slope to the left at an angle B and a lengthwise or forward slope at an angle 0. The angle C is measured in the plane normal to the transverse plane of the channel 28. The magnetic barrier 30 extends lengthwise of the channel 28 and is of a uniform strength over substantially the full length thereof.

The forces acting in the plane of the channel on a paramagnetic particle moving downward therealong, such as the particle 32 in Figure 9a, are shown in Figure 9b. A gravitational force component F2 acts along the x=x' plane towards the left in Figures 9a and 9b. For the separator arrangement of Figure 9a, this component is given by: FGx=mg sin O (3) where g is the gravitational acceleration constant, and m is the mass of the particle.

The transverse gravitational component FGX is opposed by the magnetic force FM which acts at right angles to the barrier 30 and, for paramagnetic particles, in the opposite direction from Fox. As discussed above in connection with Figures 4a and 5a, those particles, such as particles 34 in Figure 9a, having magnetic susceptibilities greater than the K0 value of barrier 30 will be deflected by the barrier 30 on the righthand side of the barrier locus X8" while more weakly paramagnetic particles and diamagnetic particles, such as are indicated at 36 in Figure 9a, will cross the barrier 30 under the influence of gravitational force component Fox. By virtue of the forward slope of the channel 28, the particles, referring here again to particle 32 in Figure 9a by way of example, will also have a lengthwise gravitational force component FGV acting along the y-y' plane. F,, will be of a magnitude given by: FGv=mg cos 0 sin (4) Since the magnetic barrier 30 does not impede particle movement in the y-y' direction, the particles will flow lengthwise of flow channel 28 generally along two separate paths, one for the particles 34 which do not pass the barrier and the other for the particles 36 which pass through the barrier. The two distinct groups of particles may therefore be readily recovered at the downstream end of the flow channel 28. To that end, a guide member 38 may be provided on the downstream side of the barrier 30.Another divider 41 may be provided on the upstream side of the barrier 30 at the upstream end of the channel 28 to facilitate proper particle feed into the channel.

As may be appreciated from Figures 9a, 9b, 10a and 10b the magnetic force produced by a magnetic barrier opposes the component of the non-magnetic force acting perpendicular to the barrier. For a constant magnitude non-magnetic force, the magnitude of this component is controlled by the angle between the direction of the resultant non-magnetic force and the magnetic barrier, i.e., the angle of approach of the particles towards the barrier. As this angle becomes smaller the component of the non-magnetic force which the magnetic force opposes becomes smaller and less susceptible magnetic particles will be deflected along the barrier.

The susceptibility K0 at which particles will be prevented from crossing the barrier may therefore also be controlled by appropriate selection of the angle of approach of the particles towards the barrier.

Figure 10a depicts a separator arrangement similar to that of Figure 9a but arranged such that the barrier 40 thereof will deflect diamagnetic particles.

Whereas in Figure 9a the flow channel 28 was inclined so as to have a transverse slope to the left, in Figure 10a the flow channel 42 is inclined by an angle 0 to have a transverse slope to the right. the chute 42 is also inclined in the forward direction at an angle X, as measured in a plane normal to the plane of the channel. The particle mixture is fed to channel 42 on the lefthand side of barrier 40, for which purpose a divider 44 may be provided. The forces acting on diamagnetic particles flowing along channel 42, such as particle 45, are represented in Figure 10b.

Those diamagnetic particles 46 having a diamagnetic susceptibility greater than that value at which the magnetic force FM, acting normal to the barrier 40 and to the left in Figure 10a, balances the rightwardly acting transverse gravitational force Fox will be prevented from passing the barrier 40, whereas less susceptible diamagnetic particles and paramagnetic particles, indicated at 48 in Figure 10a, will cross to the righthand side of the barrier. A guide member 50 at the downstream end of channel 42 provides for separate collection of the two fractions 46 and 48 of particles. In this instance, the guide member 50 is located on the righthand side of the barrier 40.

Figure 11 illustrates a separator arrangement generally similar to that of Figure 10a except that the strength of the magnetic barrier 52 progressively decreases from the upstream end to the downstream end of flow channel 54. The diamagnetic particles fed to the channel 54 will therefore progressively cross over the barrier 52, in the course of their downstream movement therealong, in accordance with their magnetic susceptibilities. This arrangement, therefore.

permits a number of fractions of different magnetic susceptibilities to be obtained.

For instance, the most weakly susceptible particles and any paramagnetic particles in the mixture, such as the particles 56 in Figure 11 will cross the barrier 52 in a comparatively upstream region of the channel 54 and may be guided from the channel 54 along a separate path formed by the guide members 58 and 60.

Particles having sufficient diamagnetic susceptibility to be initially retained by the barrier 52 but which are not sufficiently susceptible to be retained as the barrier strength decreases along the length of the channel 54 will cross the barrier at that position along its length at which the magnetic force on the particle at the barrier has decreased and no longer exceeds the gravitational opposing force. Thus, in Figure 11, the particles 62 which are collected between the guide members 60 and 64 will be understood to be more diamagnetic than particles 56 collected between the more upstream guide members 58 and 60, and the particles 66 collected between the guide members 64 and 68 will be more diamagnetic than particles 62.

Those particles, indicated at 70 in Figure 11, having a sufficiently high diamagnetic susceptibility to be prevented from crossing the barrier 52 over substantially the full length of the channel 54 will be collected to the left of the guide member 68. In the embodiment of Figure 11, therefore, four separate fractions may be obtained from the particle mixture by use of a single pair of pole pieces.

A separator arrangement in which a plurality of pairs of pole pieces, and hence a plurality of magnetic barriers, may be used to produce multiple fractions of different magnetic susceptibilities is depicted in Figure 12a. In this arrangement, a flow channel 72 of expanded width and the associated pole pieces (not shown in Figure 12a) are inclined to the horizontal in the transverse and lengthwise directions in the same manner as has been explained in connection with Figure l0a.

Three magnetic barriers 74a, 74b and 74c are located in side-by-side parallel relation across the transverse extent of the flow channel. Each barrier has a configuration similar to that depicted in Figure 8a but is of a different strength, with the barrier strength progressively increasing from barrier 74a to barrier 74c.

The particle mixture is fed to the channel 72 adjacent the upper lefthand corner thereof so that the particles not retained by barrier 74a will flow through the downstream barriers in succession as they progress along the flow channel.

Diamagnetic particles having diamagnetic susceptibilities greater than the K0 of barrier 74a will be deflected by that barrier and be guided therealong lengthwise of the channel 72 until collected by the guide member 76 downstream of point y2. Less diamagnetic particles will pass through barrier 74a and, by virtue of the gravitational force component acting transversely of channel 72, approach barrier 74b. Since barrier 74b has a greater strength than 74a, it will deflect particles of lower diamagnetic susceptibility than would barrier 74a. Accordingly, another fraction of particles may be collected downstream of point y2 by use of a guide member 78. Particles of still less diamagnetic susceptibility cross barrier 74b and are urged towards barrier 74c.Since barrier 74c has a higher strength than barrier 74b, it will deflect still less diamagnetically susceptible particles, which particles may be separately collected along a guide member 80. Any particles in the mixture having diamagnetic susceptibilities lower than the K0 of barrier 74c or any paramagnetic particles in the mixture will continue on across the flow channel 72 and may be collected along the righthand side of the channel. The arrangement of Figure 12a thus provides in a continuous manner four separate fractions of particles of different magnetic susceptibilities.

A magnetic circuit suitable for creating the barriers 74a, 74b and 74c of Figure 12a is shown in schematic form in Figure 12b. It includes three pairs 82a, 82b and 82c of opposed pole pieces, a U-shaped core 84 and a winding 86. The pole pieces have the cross-sectional shape shown in Figures 2a and 2b and are spaced along the legs of the core 84 in side-by-side parallel relation. The flow channel 72 is located between the pole pieces such that the plane of the channel is in the region of the plane of symmetry x-x' of the pole faces. By employing progressively smaller gaps between pole piece pair 82a, pair 82b and pair 82c, the strengths of the associated barriers 74a, 74b and 74c, respectively, may be progressively increased in the manner illustrated in Figure 12a.As noted in connection with Figure 6c, like variation in barrier strength can be achieved by using three different radii of curvature for the opposing pole faces of the three pole pairs.

A number of barriers can be provided in the gap of one magnetic circuit. The pole piece pairs producing the barriers may be stacked in tiers with a number of pairs in each tier. The particles can be fed so that the flow stream is divided into a number of parts at ever tier and each part of the flow stream passes through one or more barriers successively, and the separated particles can be collected in such a manner that magnetic particles are discharged at one exit from the separator and non-magnetic particles are discharged at another exit. Such an arrangement provides means for continuous processing of a substantial volume of material.

The magnetic circuits of Figures 1 and 12b are useful for separating materials based on their natural magnetic properties. However, the invention may also be employed to make separations on the basis of induced magnetic susceptibilities.

Accordingly, the circuit of Figure 1 may be modified to include a second winding 88 adapted to be connected to a suitable source (not shown) of a.c. current.

Superimposed a.c. and d.c. magnetic fields will thereby be created. The a.c. field will generate eddy currents in conductive particles passing through it which in turn will produce an induced magnetic field within the particles. The d.c. magnetic field will, as discussed above, establish the magnetic barrier. The barrier will act to deflect particles in accordance with their induced susceptibilities or, more precisely, according to the conductivity and shape of such particles.

Where separations are to be made in a liquid carrier, the same analysis used in the dry separation can be used, except the magnetic susceptibility term K in equation (I) becomes (K-K,), where K, is the magnetic susceptibility of the liquid.

The magnetic force exerted on a particle by an applied field would then become: vHaH FM=(KK,) (5) ax and it can be used to oppose a non-magnetic force, for example, the gravitational force.

If the same apparatus shown in Figure 9a is used, then the non-magnetic force opposing the magnetic force along the plane x-x' becomes: FNM=(dp-d,) vg sin o (6) where dp is the density of the particle; and d, is the density of the liquid carrier.

When FM (equation (5)) exceeds FNM (equation (6)), the particles are deflected by the barrier, and dH FM=(K-K,)v(H ) max. (7) dX and exceeds FNM=(dp-d,)vg sin B (8) If K is much larger than K, then K-K,=K (approximately) and dH kv (H ) max.

dX exceeds (dpd,) Vg sin e. The separation is made according to the value of K dp-d, If K is much smaller than K, then K-K,=-K, (approximately). In this case the particle acts as though it is diamagnetic having a susceptibility --K,. Separation requires reversal of direction of the magnetic force and occurs when aH K, v(H ) max.

ax exceeds (dp-d,) vg sin 0. Separation in this instance is made according to the value of K L dp-d, However, since d, and K, are both constants, the separation is made solely on the basis of the particle density d,. In a case where neither K nor K, may be neglected the separation is made according to the value of K-K, dpd, If the liquid is moving the analysis will be somewhat different but the separation will be in accordance with the same particle properties. When a liquid is used, whether moving or stationary, the flow channel preferably is fully enclosed rather than open as shown in Figures 9a and 10a.Additional apparatus and methods which may be used to feed a moving liquid carrier through a magnetic field are disclosed in U.S. Patent 4,102,780.

In the description of methods and apparatus for separating particles in accordance with the magnetic susceptibilities of the particles the word "particles" should be understood to include pieces of the material of any size and the words "magnetic susceptibilities" should be interpreted in the following manner.

Since magnetic separation of particles is based upon opposing a magnetic force to a non-magnetic force, which non-magnetic force may be gravitational, centrifugal, fluid viscous force, frictional force and the like, the separation depends not only.upon the force exerted on the particle by the magnetic field but also upon the non-magnetic force which is determined by other physical properties of the particle. For example, when the opposing force is gravitational in a low density medium such as air, the separation is in accordance with the particle susceptibility K divided by its density dp or K dp When the particle is immersed in a liquid the separation is in accordance with K dp d, the d, is the density of the liquid.When the particle is immersed in a magnetic liquid, the separation is in accordance with Kp-K, dpd, where Kp and K, are the susceptibilities of the particle and the liquid. In the case where K is much larger than Kp, so that Kp may be neglected and K, and d, are constants, separation is in accordance with the density of the particle dp and Kp is not involved.

In cases of other external forces opposing the magnetic force dH (Kp-K,)vH dX similar analyses are required to determine the nature of the separation.

The apparatus shown in Figures 11, 12a and 12b is arranged for the separation of particles according to their diamagnetic susceptibilities. The particle flow is from left to right into a barrier having a katadynamic field on the lefthand side and an anadynamic field on the righthand side as shown in Figure 3c. If the pole pieces producing the field are rearranged so as to produce an anadynamic field on the lefthand side and a katadynamic field on the righthand side, the apparatus of Figures 11, 12a and 12b may be used for separating particles according to their paramagnetic properties.

Example I A sample containing paramagnetic particles was prepared from a larger sample of river delta mud having a minimum particle size of 106 microns. The larger sample was first passed in conventional fashion through a Model LI, Frantz Isodynamic magnetic separator with the chute arranged to have a transverse slope to the left at an angle B of 15 and a forward slope at an angle 4 of 25". With a field strength of 18,500 gauss in the gap between the pole pieces, a non-magnetic fraction of 18.75 grams was obtained. the 18.75 gram sample was determined by microscopic inspection to include many predominately black particles, which were known to be very weakly paramagnetic, and many light grey particles.

A magnetic barrier was established in accordance with the invention by using the outside or non-isodynamic portion of the Model LI pole pieces. This portion of the pole pieces has the form of a quarter circle of 3/8ths inch radius which merges at its ends into tangential plane surfaces in the manner illustrated in Figure 2b. The gap between the pole pieces, corresponding to 2d in Figure 2b, was 5/32nds of an inch over the upper half(12.7 cm) of the pole pieces and gradually increased from the 5/32nd inch value over the lower half of the pole pieces. The barrier generated had the configuration shown in Figure 8a and had a maximum strength (HaH/aX) of 38.525x 106 Oe.2/cm over the upper half of the Ll pole pieces, corresponding to region O-y2 in Figure 8a.The flow channel structure and orientation employed was similar to that depicted in Figure 9a. The sample was fed to the upper righthand end of the flow channel on the upstream side of the barrier.

Five successive separations were performed, using the full 18.75 gram sample in the first run and only the non-magnetic fraction from the preceding run for each successive run. The following results were obtained: TABLE I Side Forward Gap Field Magnetic Non-Magnetic Slope Slope Strength Fraction Fraction Total (ego) (# ) (gauss) (g) (g) (g) 15 25 13,800 2.7 16.05 18.75 15 25 18,500 4.1 11.95 16.05 15 25 19,500 .6 11.35 11.95 6 25 19,500 3.2 8.15 11.35 4 25 19,500 1.6 6.55 8.15 Each separation was repeated and found to be closely reproducible. The final non-magnetic fraction (6.55 grams) was very light grey in color and found to contain almost no predominately black particles when examined by microscope.

Example 2 A C-shaped core for a magnetic circuit of the type illustrated in Figure 1 was constructed by cutting a 1/8th inch gap in one leg of a square loop of steel having a 1.27 cm .27 cm cross-section. The inner portions of the core surfaces bordering the gap were cut away so as to form opposing pole faces which tapered outwardly to a sharp edge at the outer surface of the core. The gap between the sharp edges of the pole faces was approximately 1/8th inch. The core was wound with a 1000 turn winding, which winding was connected to a half wave rectified a.c. current. This current can be viewed as equivalent to an average d.c. current with a superimposed a.c. current. A single a.c. ammeter was used to measure the current supplied to the coil. The magnetic circuit was arranged with the plane of symmetry of the pole faces in the horizontal plane.A mixture composed of beach sand particles and copper disks was placed on a flat plastic sheet. The plastic sheet was then introduced by hand between the pole faces generally in the plane symmetry of the faces and moving from the outside of the core toward the inside of the core in a direction perpendicular to the lengthwise extent of the pole faces. With a current of 1.25 amperes applied to the winding. the copper disks were blocked by the barrier established between the sharp opposing edges of the pole faces, whereas the sand particles moved with the plastic sheet through the barrier.

Example 3 A mixture of silicon carbide particles and natural diamond particles ranging in size from 90 microns to 75 microns was separated using the Model LI Frantz Isodynamic magnetic separator, having the same pole face configuration, size, and separation as described in Example 1, with the flow channel and pole pieces oriented in the manner shown in Figure iota. The flow channel had a transverse slope to the right at an angle of 3 and a forward slope at angle of 15". The current to the magnetizing coils of the separator was adjusted until a field strength of 18,500 gauss was established in the gap between the pole pieces.At that field strength, a diamagnetic fraction consisting essentially of natural diamond particles was obtained along the barrier, and a separate fraction containing substantially all of the silicon carbide particles was collected on the downstream side of the barrier, thereby indicating that the diamagnetic diamond particles had been blocked and retained by the barrier while the silicon carbide particles passed through the barrier. The diamond particles were predominately of a light grey color and the silicon carbide particles of a darker color, which readily permitted their identification by visual inspection.

With no magnetic field applied, all of the particles of the samples tested in Examples 1, 2 and 3 above passed through the locus at which the barrier had been established.

Although the invention has been described and illustrated herein with reference to specific embodiments thereof, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to such specific embodiments but is subject to variation and modification without departing from the inventive concepts embodied therein. For example, whereas all of the embodiments described herein have embodied magnetic barriers which are straight in the lengthwise direction, the pole pieces may be constructed, if desired, to provide a locus XB of maximum magnetic energy gradient which lies along any line on a simple surface. All such variations and modifications, therefore, are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. Apparatus for separating a flowable mixture of particles in accordance with the magnetic susceptibilities of the particles, comprising: means for establishing a non-uniform magnetic field consisting primarily of, in a direction transverse to the direction of the field and in contiguous sequence, a katadynamic field region, an isodynamic field region, and an anadynamic field region, the dimension of the isodynamic field region in said transverse direction being small relative to the dimension in said transverse direction of either the anadynamic field region or the katadynamic field region, whereby the magnetic energy gradient Halt ax of said magnetic field in said transverse direction is at a maximum at the locus of said isodynamic field region and decreases therefrom on either side thereof;; means for feeding a mixture of particles into the magnetic field on one side of the locus of said maximum transverse gradient in such a manner that the particles are urged by non-magnetic force in said transverse direction towards locus of maximum transverse gradient; said field establishing means and said mixture feeding means being arranged such that the magnitude of the transversely acting magnetic force exerted by said maximum transverse gradient in the direction opposite to the transverse direction of movement of the particles towards said locus, on those particles having a magnetic susceptibility equal to or greater than a selected susceptibility at which a separation is to be effected, is greater than the transversely acting non-magnetic force urging said particles towards said locus, whereby said particles of equal or greater susceptibility are prevented by the magnetic force acting thereon from passing from said one side of the locus of maximum transverse gradient to the other side while particles having a magnetic susceptibility less than said selected susceptibility are urged across the locus of maximum transverse gradient by the transversely acting non-magnetic force; and means for collecting the particles prevented from passing from said one side of the locus of maximum transverse gradient to the other side separately from the particles which cross said locus.

2. An apparatus according to Claim I in which said transversely acting nonmagnetic force is a component of a non-magnetic force acting in a direction oblique to said transverse direction.

3. An apparatus according to Claim I or 2, wherein:

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. slope to the right at an angle of 3 and a forward slope at angle of 15". The current to the magnetizing coils of the separator was adjusted until a field strength of 18,500 gauss was established in the gap between the pole pieces. At that field strength, a diamagnetic fraction consisting essentially of natural diamond particles was obtained along the barrier, and a separate fraction containing substantially all of the silicon carbide particles was collected on the downstream side of the barrier, thereby indicating that the diamagnetic diamond particles had been blocked and retained by the barrier while the silicon carbide particles passed through the barrier.The diamond particles were predominately of a light grey color and the silicon carbide particles of a darker color, which readily permitted their identification by visual inspection. With no magnetic field applied, all of the particles of the samples tested in Examples 1, 2 and 3 above passed through the locus at which the barrier had been established. Although the invention has been described and illustrated herein with reference to specific embodiments thereof, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to such specific embodiments but is subject to variation and modification without departing from the inventive concepts embodied therein. For example, whereas all of the embodiments described herein have embodied magnetic barriers which are straight in the lengthwise direction, the pole pieces may be constructed, if desired, to provide a locus XB of maximum magnetic energy gradient which lies along any line on a simple surface. All such variations and modifications, therefore, are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. Apparatus for separating a flowable mixture of particles in accordance with the magnetic susceptibilities of the particles, comprising: means for establishing a non-uniform magnetic field consisting primarily of, in a direction transverse to the direction of the field and in contiguous sequence, a katadynamic field region, an isodynamic field region, and an anadynamic field region, the dimension of the isodynamic field region in said transverse direction being small relative to the dimension in said transverse direction of either the anadynamic field region or the katadynamic field region, whereby the magnetic energy gradient Halt ax of said magnetic field in said transverse direction is at a maximum at the locus of said isodynamic field region and decreases therefrom on either side thereof;; means for feeding a mixture of particles into the magnetic field on one side of the locus of said maximum transverse gradient in such a manner that the particles are urged by non-magnetic force in said transverse direction towards locus of maximum transverse gradient; said field establishing means and said mixture feeding means being arranged such that the magnitude of the transversely acting magnetic force exerted by said maximum transverse gradient in the direction opposite to the transverse direction of movement of the particles towards said locus, on those particles having a magnetic susceptibility equal to or greater than a selected susceptibility at which a separation is to be effected, is greater than the transversely acting non-magnetic force urging said particles towards said locus, whereby said particles of equal or greater susceptibility are prevented by the magnetic force acting thereon from passing from said one side of the locus of maximum transverse gradient to the other side while particles having a magnetic susceptibility less than said selected susceptibility are urged across the locus of maximum transverse gradient by the transversely acting non-magnetic force; and means for collecting the particles prevented from passing from said one side of the locus of maximum transverse gradient to the other side separately from the particles which cross said locus.

3. An apparatus according to Claim I or 2, wherein:

the field establishing means includes a pair of spaced-apart pole pieces, the opposing faces of said pole pieces being substantially symmetrical in cross-section in said transverse direction; and the mixture feeding means includes means for feeding the mixture between the pole pieces generally along the plane of symmetry of said opposing faces.

4. An apparatus according to Claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein: the particles to be prevented from crossing from said one side of the locus of maximum transverse gradient are paramagnetic; and the mixture feeding means includes means for feeding the mixture into the magnetic field on the side of the locus of maximum transverse gradient on which said anadynamic field is established.

5. An apparatus according to any of Claims 1 to 3, wherein: the particles to be prevented from crossing from said one side of the locus of maximum transverse gradient are diamagnetic; and the mixture feeding means includes means for feeding the mixture into the magnetic field on the side of the locus of maximum transverse gradient on which said katadynamic field is established.

6. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the field establishing means includes means for establishing super-imposed d.c. and a.c.

magnetic fields, said d.c. field being effective to create said maximum transverse gradient and said a.c. magnetic field being effective to cause eddy currents in conductive particles in the mixture to induce values of magnetic susceptibility greater than said selected susceptibility whereby the induced conductive particles are prevented by magnetic force from passing from said one side of the locus of maximum transverse gradient to the other side.

7. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the field establishing means includes means for varying the magnitude of the maximum transverse gradient over at least a portion of the length of said locus.

8. Apparatus for separating a flowable mixture of particles in accordance with the magnetic susceptibilities of the particles, comprising: means, including a pair of spaced apart elongate pole pieces having opposing faces, for establishing a non-uniform magnetic field, said opposing pole faces being shaped in cross-section transversely of the elongate direction of the pole pieces such that said magnetic field consists primarily of, in said transverse direction, in contiguous sequence, a katadynamic field region, an isodynamic field region, and an anadynamic field region, the dimension of the isodynamic field region in said transverse direction being small relative to the dimension in said transverse direction of either the anadynamic field region or the katadynamic field region, whereby the magnetic energy gradient HaH a ax of the field in said transverse direction is at a maximum at the locus of said isodynamic field region and decreases therefrom on either side thereof; means for feeding a mixture of particles between the pole pieces on one side of the locus of said maximum transverse gradient in a manner such that the particles are urged by non-magnetic force generally towards and lengthwise of the locus of maximum transverse gradient;; said field establishing means and said mixture feeding means being arranged such that those particles having a magnetic susceptibility equal to or greater'than a selected susceptibility at which a separation is to be effected are retained on said one side of the locus of maximum transverse gradient by the transversely acting magnetic force exerted thereon by said maximum transverse gradient, in the direction opposite to the transverse direction of movement of the particles towards such locus, and are urged lengthwise along said one side of such locus by a lengthwise acting component of said non-magnetic force, while particles having a magnetic susceptibility less than said selected susceptibility are urged across the locus of maximum transverse gradient by a transversely acting component of the non-magnetic force.

9. The apparatus of Claim 8, wherein: the opposing faces of said pole pieces are substantially symmetrical in said transverse cross-section; and the mixture feeding means includes means for feeding the mixture between the pole pieces generally along the plane of symmetry of said opposing faces.

10. The apparatus of Claim 8 or 9, wherein the mixture feeding means includes means for varying the angle of approach at which the particles are urged by said non-magnetic force towards the locus of maximum transverse gradient.

I 1. The apparatus of Claim 8, 9 or 10, wherein the mixture feeding means includes: an elongate flow channel; means for supporting the flow channel between the pole pieces in general parallel alignment therewith and with the locus of maximum transverse gradient lying within the cross-section of the channel; and means for introducing the mixture into an upstream region of the flow channel on said one side of the locus of maximum transverse gradient.

12. An apparatus according to Claim 11, wherein: the flow channel supporting means includes means for supporting the pole pieces and the flow channel such that the flow channel is inclined to the horizontal both in the lengthwise direction and in the transverse direction; and said one side of the locus of maximum transverse gradient is the uppermost side, whereby the mixture is urged by gravity generally towards and lengthwise of said locus.

13. An apparatus according to Claim 11 or 12, wherein the particle collecting means includes a divider located in said flow channel downstream of the particle feeding region for guiding the particles deflected on said one side of the locus of maximum transverse gradient from the flow channel separately from the particles which cross said locus.

14. An apparatus according to any of Claims 8 to 13, wherein the opposite pole faces are shaped to provide a maximum transverse gradient which varies in magnitude over at least a portion of the length of the pole pieces.

15. An apparatus according to Claim 14, wherein the spacing between the opposing pole faces varies over at least a portion of the length of the pole pieces to provide a maximum transverse gradient which varies in magnitude over at least said portion of the length of the pole pieces.

16. An apparatus according to Claim 14 or 15, wherein the pole faces are shaped over an upstream lengthwise region of said pole pieces to provide a substantially uniform maximum transverse gradient magnitude over said upstream region and are shaped over a downstream lengthwise region to provide a maximum transverse gradient magnitude which decreases over said downstream region, whereby the particles deflected by the maximum transverse gradient move lengthwise of said upstream region on said one side of the locus of maximum transverse gradient and are released to cross said locus after moving downstream of said region.

17. An apparatus according to Claim 14 or 15, wherein: the pole faces are shaped to progressively vary the magnitude of said maximum transverse gradient from an upstream point of maximum magnitude to a downstream point of minimum magnitude; and the mixture feeding means feeds the mixture between the pole pieces adjacent said point of maximum magnitude, whereby the particles progressively cross the locus of maximum transverse gradient according to their magnetic susceptibilities in the course of downstream movement along said locus.

18. An apparatus according to Claim 14, 15, 16 or 17, wherein the particle collecting means includes means for collecting the particles which cross the locus of maximum transverse gradient in the course of downstream movement therealong into one or more separate fractions of different magnetic susceptibilities.

19. An apparatus according to any of Claims 8 to 18, wherein the field establishing means includes means for varying the field strength and the maximum transverse gradient established between the pole pieces.

20. An apparatus according to Claim 8, wherein: the field establishing means includes a plurality of said pairs of elongate pole pieces arranged in side-by-side relation and means for establishing said magnetic field between each pair of pole pieces, thereby to establish a locus between each pair of pole pieces at which the local transverse magnetic energy gradient HaH/aX is a maximum, the magnitude of each of said maximum transverse gradients being different; the mixture feeding means includes means for feeding the particles between the pole pieces of said pairs of side-by-side pole pieces in succession, thereby to pass the particles through a succession of maximum transverse magnetic energy gradients; and the particle collecting means includes means for separately collecting the particles deflected by each maximum transverse gradient.

21. An apparatus according to Claim 20, wherein the means for establishing said magnetic field between each pair of pole pieces includes means for progressively increasing the magnitude of the local maximum transverse gradient from pole pair to pole pair in said succession, thereby to provide for the retention between succeeding pole pairs of particles of progressively lower magnetic susceptibility.

22. An apparatus according to Claim 20 or 21, wherein said mixture feeding means includes: an elongate flow channel extending between the pole pieces of all of said pole piece pairs in general parallel alignment with the poles thereof and with the loci of all of said local maximum transverse gradients lying within the cross-section of said flow channel; supporting means for all of said pole piece pairs and said flow channel such that the flow channel is inclined to the horizontal both in the lengthwise direction and the transverse direction; and means for feeding the particles into an upstream region of the flow channel on the uppermost side of the uppermost of said loci of maximum transverse gradients, whereby the particles are urged by gravity through said loci of maximum transverse gradients in succession.

23. An apparatus according to any of Claims 8 to 21, wherein: the particles to be deflected on said one side of the or each locus of maximum transverse gradient are paramagnetic; and the mixture feeding means includes means for feeding the mixture between the pole pieces on the side of the or each locus of maximum transverse gradient on which said anadynamic field is established.

24. An apparatus according to any of Claims 8 to 22, wherein: the particles to be deflected on said one side of the or each locus of maximum transverse gradient are diamagnetic; and the mixture feeding means includes means for feeding the mixture between the pole pieces on the side of the or each locus of maximum transverse gradient on which said katadynamic field is established.

25. An apparatus according to any of Claims 8 to 24, wherein the field establishing means includes means for establishing superimposed d.c. and a.c.

magnetic fields, said d.c. magnetic field being effective to create said maximum transverse gradient and said a.c. magnetic field being effective to cause eddy currents in conductive particles in the mixture to induce values of magnetic susceptibility greater than said selected susceptibility, whereby the magnetised conductive particles are deflected by magnetic force on said one side of the locus of maximum transverse gradient.

26. An apparatus according to any of Claims 8 to 25, wherein: the opposing faces of said pole pieces are substantially symmetrical in said transverse cross-section; and the pole faces are coated with a corrosion resistant material of a thickness to confine the flow of the mixture to within the vicinity of the plane of symmetry of said pole faces.

27. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein: the field establishing means includes means for defining within the magnetic field a transversely extending region in which the magnitude of the magnetic energy gradient in the direction of the field is small relative to the magnitude of said maximum transverse gradient; and the mixture feeding means includes means for feeding the mixture into the magnetic field generally within said region of small magnetic energy gradient.

28. A method for separating a flowable mixture of particles in accordance with the magnetic susceptibilities of the particles, comprising: establishing a non-uniform magnetic field having in a direction transverse to the direction of the field, in contiguous sequence, a katadynamic field region, an isodynamic field region, and an anadynamic field region, whereby the magnetic energy gradient HaH ax in said transverse direction is at maximum at the locus of said isodynamic field region and decreases therefrom on either side thereof;; feeding a mixture of particles into the magnetic field on one side of the locus of maximum transverse gradient in a manner such that the particles are urged by non magnetic force in said transverse direction towards the locus of maximum transverse gradient, the magnitude of the maximum transverse gradient being such that particles having a magnetic susceptibility to the field equal to or greater than a selected susceptibility at which a separation is to be effected are prevented by the transverse magnetic force acting thereon from passing from said one side of the locus of maximum transverse gradient to the other side while particles having a magnetic susceptibilty to the field less than said selected susceptibility are urged across the locus of maximum transverse gradient by the non-magnetic force; and collecting the particles which do not cross said locus of maximum transverse gradient separately from the particles which cross said locus.

29. A method according to Claim 28, wherein: the magnetic field is established such that in a transversely extending region thereof the magnitude of the magnetic energy gradient in the direction of the field is small relative to the magnitude of said maximum transverse gradient; and the mixture is fed into the magnetic field within said region where the magnetic energy gradient in the field direction is relatively small.

30. A method according to Claim 28 or 29, wherein: the particles to be prevented from crossing from said one side of the locus of maximum transverse gradient to the other side are paramagnetic; and said one side of the locus of maximum transverse gradient on which the mixture is fed is the side on which said anadynamic field is established.

31. A method according to Claim 28 or 29, wherein: the particles to be prevented from crossing from said one side of the locus of maximum transverse gradient to the other side are diamagnetic; and said one side of the locus of maximum transverse gradient on which the mixture is fed is the side on which said katadynamic field is established.

32. A method according to any of Claims 28 to 31, wherein the mixture is fed into the magnetic field in a manner such that it is urged by said non-magnetic forces both towards and lengthwise of the locus of maximum transverse gradient, whereby particles deflected on said one side of said locus move therealong lengthwise of said locus.

33. A method according to Claim 32 further comprising varying the magnitude of the maximum transverse gradient over at least a portion of the length of said locus.

34. A method according to Claim 33, wherein the magnitude of the maximum transverse gradient is at a maximum value and substantially uniform over an upstream lengthwise region of said locus and decreases from said maximum value downstream thereof, whereby the particles deflected by the maximum transverse gradient move lengthwise of said upstream region on said one side of the locus of maximum transverse gradient and are released to cross said locus according to their magnetic susceptibilities after moving downstream of said region.

35. A method according to Claim 33, wherein: said variation in the magnitude of the maximum transverse gradient along said locus is progressive from an upstream point of maximum magnitude to a downstream point of minimum magnitude; and the mixture is fed into the magnetic field adjacent said point of maximum magnitude, whereby the particles progressively cross the locus of maximum transverse gradient according to their magnetic susceptibilities in the course of downstream movement along said locus.

36. A method according to Claim 33, 34 or 35, wherein the particles which cross the locus of maximum transverse gradient in the course of downstream movement therealong are collected into a plurality of fractions of different magnetic susceptibilities.

37. A method according to Claim 28 further comprising: establishing a plurality of said magnetic fields in side-by-side relation, each of said fields having a locus at which the transverse magnetic energy gradient HaH/aX thereof is at a maximum, the magnitude of each said maximum transverse gradient being different, thereby to provide a succession of maximum transverse gradients; feeding the mixture through said succession of maximum gradients; and separately collecting the particles deflected by each maximum gradient.

38. A method according to Claim 37, wherein the magnitude of the maximum transverse gradient progressively increases from field to field in said succession, thereby to provide for the deflection by succeeding maximum transverse gradients of particles of progressively lower magnetic susceptibility.

39. A method according to any of Claims 28 to 38, wherein the field establishing step comprises establishing superimposed a.c. and d.c. magnetic fields, said d.c. magnetic field being effective to create said maximum transverse gradient and said a.c. field being effective to cause eddy currents in conductive particles in the mixture to induce values of magnetic susceptibility greater than said selected susceptibility, whereby the magnetised conductive particles will be deflected on said one side of the or each locus of maximum transverse gradient.

40. A method according to any of Claims 28 to 39, wherein the mixture feeding step includes dispersing the mixture in a fluid and feeding the fluid mixture dispersion into the magnetic field whereby the particles are separated along the or each locus of maximum transverse gradient substantially in accordance with the relative value of KPKF dp-dF where K, is the magnetic susceptibility of the particles, K F is the magnetic susceptibility of the fluid, and dp is the density of the particles, and dF is the density of the fluid.

41. A method according to Claim 40, wherein the magnetic susceptibility of the fluid is very mugh greater than that of any particle contained in the mixture, whereby the particles are separated substantially in accordance with the relative values of dp.

42. A method according to any of Claims 28 to 41, wherein said magnetic field consists primarily of, in said transverse direction, said katadynamic, isodynamic and anadynamic field regions, the dimension of the isodynamic field region in said transverse direction being small relative to the dimension in said transverse direction of either the anadynamic field region or the katadynamic field region.

43. An apparatus for separating a flowable mixture of particles in accordance with the magnetic susceptibilities of the particles substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in Figures 1, 2a, 2b, 4a, 5a, 8b, 9a, 10a, 11, 12a, and 12b of the accompanying drawings.

44. A method for separating a flowable mixture of particles in accordance with the magnetic susceptibilities of the particles, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.