Development of Novel Magnetic Separation for Paramagnetic Particles Using the Selection Tube

Generally, in order to control and separate of paramagnetic substances by magnetic force, a superconducting high-gradient magnetic separation system applied magnetic field of about 5 T over is required. In this study, we aim to apply a low magnetic field for magnetic separation of paramagnetic substances. We proposed the novel separation method, which is applying a magnetic field to the selection tube, aiming for more precise and easier separation than the conventional High Gradient Magnetic Separation System (HGMS). Selection tube can separate particle mixture into each kinds of particles by the balance of drag force, buoyancy and gravity depending on flow velocity, particle size, shape and specific weight. Since the particles are apparent weightless state, they can be captured with a relatively small magnetic force. Firstly, we showed the effectiveness of Open-Gradient Magnetic Separation (OGMS: applied maximum magnetic flux density 1.3 T) under the selection tube with using colored glass imitated target substance. The experimental results were found to shows good separation efficiency. Eventually, we tested the HGMS obtained by improving the novel magnetic separation method, where a low magnetic field applied (maximum magnetic flux density 0.5 T) is applied to magnetic filters (wire diameter ϕ 0.8mm, 15mesh, SUS430) installed in the selection tube. The effective separation of paramagnetic glass (volume magnetic susceptibility: +3.17×10
⁻⁴
) was performed successfully with the combination of the selection tube and the HGMS applied low magnetic field.