Method and apparatus for regulating the flow of particulate

Abstract

Magnetic valve and methods related thereto for regulating the physically unobstructed flow of ferromagnetic particulate solid materials through a conduit by means of an electromagnetic and/or permanent magnetic device for establishing and controlling a magnetic field, which is caused to selectively pass along a magnetic circuit which comprises said particulate materials in said conduit to be regulated and wherein said magnetic field is deviated from said conduit or deactivated to allow the flow of said material. The valve comprises a pipe made of a non-magnetic material with at least two elements of magnetic material such as iron or carbon steel, vertically spaced apart along said pipe (which advantageously separately ring said pipe and contact the interior thereof) and a plurality of means to selectively create or eliminate or decrease the intensity of a magnetic circuit which passes through said elements and through said ferromagnetic material in such a way that said material is stopped or its flow is diminished when the magnetic field flows therethrough and the flow is allowed when said magnetic field is diminished, deleted, or deviated.