Magnetodensity separation method and apparatus

A separator for separating more magnetically susceptible particles from less magnetically susceptible particles carried in a fluid medium comprising:

• a first magnetic member including a plurality of channels separated by ridges in which channels magnetically susceptible particles magnetically flocculate under the influence of a magnetic field to form larger particles;
• a second magnetic member spaced from said first member and establishing a laminar duct between said channels and ridges and said second member, said duct being adjacent, in communication with the locally transverse to said channels;
• and
• means mounted about said members for producing a magnetic field between said members transversely to said channels and to said duct;
• said ridges providing a succession of localized regions of high magnetic field gradient transverse to said duct, said larger particles being urged from said channels to said duct by said magnetic field, the said larger particles entering said duct being entrapped at said ridges by said magnetic field.

A separator for separating more magnetically susceptible particles from less magnetically susceptible particles carried in a fluid medium comprising:

• a first magnetic member defining a first flow path in which magnetically susceptible particles magnetically flocculate under the influence of a magnetic field to form larger particles;
• a second magnetic member spaced from said first magnetic member defining a second flow path adjacent, in communication with, and locally transverse to said first flow path;
• said first and second magnetic members being fixed against rotation relative to one another;
• means associated with at least one of said members for providing a magnetic field and field gradient between said members through said first and second flow paths and transverse to said flow paths;
• said first flow path including a plurality to successive ridges transverse to said second flow path and having localized regions of high magnetic field gradient between them and said second member, said larger particles being urged from said first flow path to said second flow path by said magnetic field and field gradient, the said larger particles entering said second flow path being entrapped by said magnetic field gradient at said ridges along said second flow path.