Magnetic apparatus and method for multi-particle filtration and separation

A multi-particle filtration and separation device for removing magnetic and non-magnetic particles from a medium, said device comprising:

• a containment vessel;
• an electromagnetic matrix in said containment vessel constructed to attract and retain magnetic particles thereupon;
• an inlet port associated with said containment vessel for carrying the medium thereto, said containment vessel including an increased diameter, generally spherical portion configured to retain magnetic and non-magnetic, particles from said medium therein;
• an outbound carrier associated with said containment vessel for carrying a purified medium from said containment vessel;
• an outlet port associated with said containment vessel for carrying the magnetic and non-magnetic particles away from said increased diameter portion and for carrying magnetic particles away from said electromagnetic matrix, said increased diameter portion being between said electromagnet matrix and said outlet port;
• and
• a valve between said increased diameter, generally spherical portion of said containment vessel and said outlet port, said valve capable of being opened to allow said magnetic and non-magnetic particles being retained in said containment vessel to evacuate from said containment vessel through said outlet port.

A method for removing magnetic and non-magnetic particles from a medium, said method comprising the steps of:

• (a) providing a multi-particle filtration and separation which includes:
• a containment vessel;
• an electromagnetic matrix in said containment vessel constructed to attract and retain magnetic particles thereupon;
• an inlet port associated with said containment vessel for carrying the medium thereto, said containment vessel including an increased diameter portion configured to retain magnetic and non-magnetic particles from said medium therein;
• an outbound carrier associated with said containment vessel for carrying a purified medium from said containment vessel;
• an outlet port associated with said containment vessel for carrying the magnetic and non-magnetic particles away from said increased diameter portion and for carrying magnetic particles away from said electromagnetic matrix said increased diameter portion being disposed between said electromagnetic matrix and said outlet port;
• and
• a valve between said containment vessel and said outlet port, said valve capable of being opened to alloy said magnetic and non-magnetic particles being retained in said containment vessel to evaluate from said containment vessel through said outlet port;
• (b) introducing a flow of the medium to the containment vessel;
• (c) energizing the electromagnetic matrix within said containment vessel while maintaining the valve in a closed position, said electromagnetic matrix attracting and retaining magnetic particles from the medium thereagainst;
• (d) settling out magnetic and non-magnetic particles contained in the medium in said increased diameter portion of said containment vessel to obtain a purified medium;
• (c) forwarding said purified medium from said containment vessel through said outbound carrier;
• and
• (f) opening said valve while de-energizing said electromagnetic matrix to evacuate said magnetic particles and said non-magnetic particles from said containment vessel.