Apparatus and method for isolating materials
First Claim
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1. A separation apparatus for separating a target material from a source material, the apparatus comprising:
- a carrier for transporting the source material along a predetermined path, the carrier comprising;
a frame;
a flow channel mounted to the frame;
retaining members mounted within the flow channel for retaining the target material; and
a fluid transport channel configured to receive the source material and a fluid substance at one end of the flow channel to mix the source material with the fluid substance and to guide the mixture to the flow channel so that the source material is transported by the fluid substance along the flow channel over the retaining member; and
a magnetic field generator including a plurality of magnets for forming alternating areas of presence and absence of a magnetic field along the predetermined path so that the magnetic fields intermittently act on the source material transported by the carrier to progressively separate the target material from the source material, the strength of the magnetic fields being such that not only magnetic materials in the source material are affected as being attracted, but also conductive non-magnetic materials in the source material are affected by virtue of induction, causing repulsion of the conductive non-magnetic materials away from the magnetic field.
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Abstract
Apparatus is provided for separating non-magnetic mineral values from a source containing magnetic material and non magnetic material. The apparatus includes first and second conveyers in overlying relation which counter-rotate relative to one another. One of the conveyers includes a magnetic assembly which cooperates with paddles on the upper conveyer to progressively isolate values from magnetic material. Multiple stages are provided for intermittent magnetic interactions such that the non-magnetic materials are effectively isolated from the magnetic materials.
24 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A separation apparatus for separating a target material from a source material, the apparatus comprising:
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a carrier for transporting the source material along a predetermined path, the carrier comprising; a frame; a flow channel mounted to the frame; retaining members mounted within the flow channel for retaining the target material; and a fluid transport channel configured to receive the source material and a fluid substance at one end of the flow channel to mix the source material with the fluid substance and to guide the mixture to the flow channel so that the source material is transported by the fluid substance along the flow channel over the retaining member; and a magnetic field generator including a plurality of magnets for forming alternating areas of presence and absence of a magnetic field along the predetermined path so that the magnetic fields intermittently act on the source material transported by the carrier to progressively separate the target material from the source material, the strength of the magnetic fields being such that not only magnetic materials in the source material are affected as being attracted, but also conductive non-magnetic materials in the source material are affected by virtue of induction, causing repulsion of the conductive non-magnetic materials away from the magnetic field. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method for separating a target material from a source material, the method comprising the steps of:
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transporting the source material along a predetermined path, the transporting including; mixing the source material with a fluid substance, and directing the mixture along a flow channel so that the source material is transported by the fluid substance along the flow channel; and forming alternating areas of the presence and absence of a magnetic field along the predetermined path so that the magnetic fields intermittently act on the source material transported along the predetermined path to progressively separate the target material from the source material, the strength of magnetic fields being such that not only magnetic materials in the source material are affected as being attracted, but also conductive non-magnetic materials in the source material are affected by virtue of induction, causing effective repulsion of the conductive non-magnetic materials away from the magnetic field. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method for separating a target material from a source material, the method comprising the steps of:
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transporting the source material along a predetermined path, the transporting including feeding a source material that includes toxic substances, the toxic substances being the target material to be separated; and forming alternating areas of the presence and absence of a magnetic field along the predetermined path so that the magnetic fields intermittently act on the source material transported along the predetermined path progressively separate the target material from the source material, the strength of magnetic fields being such that not only magnetic materials in the source material are affected as being attracted, but also conductive non-magnetic materials in the source material are affected by virtue of induction, causing effective repulsion of the conductive non-magnetic materials away from the magnetic field. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification