Method for magnetic/ferrofluid separation of particle fractions
First Claim
1. A method for separating a particulate feed comprising a first particle type and a second particle type, the method comprising the steps of providing a separation apparatus comprising a separation vessel having a top and a bottom, wherein the separation vessel includes inwardly sloping side walls with a greater spacing at their top ends than at their bottom ends, and a magnet structure having a first pole positioned exterior of and adjacent to each of the side walls of the separation vessel, and a second pole positioned above the separation vessel;
- thereafter introducing a mixture of the particulate feed and a ferrofluid into the separation vessel; and
thereafter permitting the particulate feed to separate into a first particle fraction comprising more of the first particle type than the second particle type, wherein the first particle fraction sinks in the ferrofluid of the separation vessel, and a second particle fraction comprising more of the second particle type than the first particle type, wherein the second particle fraction floats in the ferrofluid of the separation vessel away from the side walls of the separation vessel.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A particulate feed comprising a first particle type and a second particle type is separated by providing a separation apparatus having a separation vessel having a top and a bottom, and wherein the separation vessel includes inwardly sloping side walls. A magnet structure has a first pole positioned exterior of and adjacent to each of the side walls of the separation vessel, and a second pole positioned above the separation vessel. A mixture of the particulate feed and a ferrofluid is introduced into the separation vessel, and the particulate feed is separated into a first particle fraction comprising a majority of the first particle type, which sinks in the separation vessel, and a second particle fraction comprising a majority of the second particle type which floats in the separation vessel.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method for separating a particulate feed comprising a first particle type and a second particle type, the method comprising the steps of
providing a separation apparatus comprising a separation vessel having a top and a bottom, wherein the separation vessel includes inwardly sloping side walls with a greater spacing at their top ends than at their bottom ends, and a magnet structure having a first pole positioned exterior of and adjacent to each of the side walls of the separation vessel, and a second pole positioned above the separation vessel; - thereafter
introducing a mixture of the particulate feed and a ferrofluid into the separation vessel; and
thereafterpermitting the particulate feed to separate into a first particle fraction comprising more of the first particle type than the second particle type, wherein the first particle fraction sinks in the ferrofluid of the separation vessel, and a second particle fraction comprising more of the second particle type than the first particle type, wherein the second particle fraction floats in the ferrofluid of the separation vessel away from the side walls of the separation vessel. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
- thereafter
Specification