METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DENSITY SEPARATION OF PARTICLES Russian patent published in 1997 - IPC

FIELD: separation processes. SUBSTANCE: concentration and isolation of various-kind particles from conducting suspension may find use in many industrial fields, medicine, and scientific research. Method includes applying magnetic field and electric current orthogonal to magnetic field and perpendicular to gravity direction on conducting suspension of particles. Current density is varied along vertical direction. Formation of current in lower part of suspension is made in one direction and in upper part in opposite direction. Current density value for lower part of suspension is set with increasing this parameter from below upwards, and that for upper part of suspension with correspondingly decreasing current density from above downwards. Current density value is set in accordance with relationship j = (ρ_p-ρ_l)g/B, where j is current density value (A/sq.m), ρ_p is density of separated particles (kg/cu.m), ρ_l is density of conducting liquid (kg/cu.m), g is acceleration of gravity (m/sq.s), and B is magnetic field (Tl). Apparatus includes electrolyte-filled container of nonconducting and nonmagnetic material placed in magnetic field. Container encloses plate-like electrodes arranged along magnetic field. Through walls of container outlet branch pipes and inlet fitting are passed on different levels. Electrodes are arranged at an angle to each other and symmetrically in respect to plane passing through Earth radius. Electrodes are installed in pairs along container height. Electrodes of the upper pair are arranged at an angle to each other with apex directed upwards. EFFECT: improved design and optimized parameters of procedure. 6 cl, 2 dwg