US 5,957,298 A · Process and device for separating non-magnetic materials and objects by using ferrohydrodynamic fluid

Abstract

The invention describes a process and an appliance for separating non-magnetic materials and objects with the use of magnetic fluids. With this invention a restoration of the magnetic fluid adhering to the separated material is made possible, by removing the magnetic liquid still adhering to the separated product both through magnets as well as through water. The magnetic fluid in the separating chambers is constantly monitored as regards volume and concentration via a monitoring installation. An appropriate area of use for the invention is the separation of fragmented materials, the separation of capacitors in capacitators containing polychlorinated biphenylenes (PCB) and PCB-free capacitors. The invention described, moreover, the composition, manufacture and use of environment-friendly diluted magneto-fluids, which can be especially suitable in employment in the separation of non-magnetic materials using the sink-float process in the magnetic field gradient.

Claims16

Dependent claims

A continuous system for separating non-magnetic materials of a selected density from non-magnetic materials of different densities, comprising:

a separator chamber containing a superparamagnetic fluid,
means for conveying the non-magnetic materials into the separating chamber,
means for applying a magnetic field of variable gradient to the fluid so as to create a density gradient within the fluid, whereby the materials of a selected density are directed toward an outlet means,
means for removing separated materials from the chamber,
means for recovering concentrated fluid adhering to the surface of a separated material after the removal of the separated material from the separator chamber,
means for collecting said recovered concentrated fluid,
means for monitoring the volume of fluid in the chamber and means for monitoring the magnetic concentration of the fluid in the chamber,
means responsive thereto for automatically introducing fluid into the chamber so as to maintain a constant concentration and volume.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Process and device for separating non-magnetic materials and objects by using ferrohydrodynamic fluid

Life of this patent

Process and device for separating non-magnetic materials and objects by using ferrohydrodynamic fluid

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims16