The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 30, 1976
Filed:
Dec. 09, 1974
William A Colburn, Denver, CO (US);
Magnesep Corporation, Denver, CO (US);
Abstract
A method for magnetic separation of materials wherein the materials are ground to provide a mixture of fine particles of more- and less-magnetic materials which may include paramagnetic material and diamagnetic material. Discrete bodies of highly magnetizable material are introduced to a magnetic field of high intensity and thereby become a closely consolidated mass of bodies having interstitial pores extended through the mass in all directions. The mixed particles are caused to flow through the pores and the less-magnetic particles are separated from the more-magnetic particles and the mass of bodies in the magnetic field. The more-magnetic particles are separated from the bodies by moving the mass of bodies out of the magnetic field and by demagnetizing them so that they tumble freely and by washing or otherwise removing the particles from the bodies as they tumble after leaving the closely consolidated mass. An apparatus suitable for the practice of the method includes an inclined passageway having the sides of a portion of said passageway formed by the poles of high-intensity magnets. A mass of spherical bodies of soft iron is moved progressively through the passageway by operation of a chain extending along the passageway and having lugs for dragging the bodies along down the incline. The mass of bodies fills the passageway cross section and within the magnetic field becomes a closely consolidated mass containing interstitial pores extending in all directions therethrough. A mixture of particles including more-magnetic and less-magnetic materials is caused to flow through the closely consolidated mass of magnetized bodies and the less-magnetic of diamagnetic materials are removed laterally through a foraminous area of the latter portion of the bottom of the passageway within the magnetic field. The mass of bodies is moved out of the field and the bodies become demagnetized and tumble downwardly along the passageway where magnetic or paramagnetic particles are washed from the bodies and are removed laterally through a suitable grill of foraminous bottom wall of the passage and are collected while the then-cleaned bodies are returned to the upper end of the passage for reuse.