Method and apparatus for separating magnetic material

A method of separating an admixture of particles or fluids into separate products of relatively higher magnetic susceptibility and relatively lower or zero magnetic susceptibility, comprising the steps of:

• (a) feeding a stream of the admixture along a flow path by directing the stream along a pinched sluice from a wider input end to a narrower outlet end, as considered along a transverse direction across the flow path, said feeding step including the step of increasing the depth of the stream as the stream travels from the input end to the outlet end;
• (b) stratifying the stream of increasing depth into contacting layers, each of increasing depth, one upon another, each layer of increasing depth mainly incorporating a different component of the admixture and extending between the input and outlet ends of the pinched sluice by subjecting the stream of increasing depth to a magnetic field which produces a differential force on components of the admixture having different magnetic susceptibilities, as they are fed along the pinched sluice, sufficient to produce a stratification of the stream of increasing depth to form said layers, each of increasing depth;
• and
• (c) directing the layers, each of increasing depth, of the stream of increasing depth into respective output channels.

A magnetic separator for separating an admixture of particles or fluids into separate products of relatively higher magnetic susceptibility and relatively lower or zero magnetic susceptibility, comprising:

• (a) a pinched sluice having a bed extending along a flow path from a wider input end to a narrower outlet end, as considered along a transverse direction across the flow path;
• (b) means for feeding a stream of the admixture onto the bed of the sluice at the input end to cause the stream to be fed along the bed to the outlet end, and for increasing the depth of the stream as the stream travels from the input end to the outlet end;
• (c) stratifying means including a disc magnet disposed with a face thereof substantially parallel to the bed of the sluice, said stratifying means being operative for stratifying the stream of increasing depth into contacting layers, each of increasing depth, one upon another, each layer of increasing depth mainly incorporating a different component of the admixture and extending between the inlet and outlet ends of the pinched sluice by producing a differential magnetic force on components of the admixture having different magnetic susceptibilities as they are fed along the sluice, so as to stratify the stream of increasing depth and form said layers, each of increasing depth, in the bed;
• (d) a plurality of output channels adjacent the outlet end of the sluice;
• and
• (e) splitter means disposed away from the sluice so as to divide the discharge from the sluice into said separate products and direct said products into different respective output channels.