Process for the removal of particulates entrained in a fluid using a magnetically stabilized fluid cross-flow contactor

A process for the removal of particulates entrained in a fluid, said process comprising the steps:

• (a) continuously introducing and removing a bed comprising a particulates capture medium through at least one porous chamber in a descending manner or direction, said bed comprising a particulates capture medium comprises a plurality of solid, discrete magnetizable particles;
• (b) structuring and controlling the porosity in said bed by applying a magnetic field to said bed in a manner such that the magnetic field is substantially colinear with the external force field within said chamber;
• (c) passing a gas containing entrained particulates through said descending bed of particulate capture medium in a manner such that it has a velocity component substantially perpendicular to the external force field and the applied magnetic field within said chamber and withdrawing a gaseous stream substantially free of entrained particulates.