Removal of magnetic particles from a fluid

An apparatus for removing magnetic particles from a fluid-carrying channel of a flowing fluid, the apparatus comprising:

• a support frame;
• a plurality of endless chains, each endless chain including along a length of the endless chain a plurality of magnetic field generation units to attract magnetic particles;
• a plurality of pipes connected to the support frame along a width of the support frame, each pipe providing an enclosing means associated with and surrounding a single one of the plurality of endless chains for preventing contact of magnetic particles with the magnetic field generation units;
• a drive means to circulate each of the plurality of endless chains within a respective pipe;
• and a collection means to collect the magnetic particles;
• wherein the plurality of enclosing means are arranged in an array configured to be located on a fluid-carrying channel;
• wherein the drive means is configured to circulate each of the plurality of endless chains to pass through a bore defined by each endless chain's associated pipe by drawing the endless chain along the pipe, and wherein the bore of a pipe defines a path followed by its associated endless chain;
• wherein each of the plurality of magnetic field generation units is configured to direct magnetic flux out of its associated pipe all around an outside surface of the pipe to attract magnetic particles to the outside surface of the pipe;
• wherein each of the plurality of endless chains draws the magnetic particles along the outside surface of its associated pipe to the collection means;
• wherein the array is spaced to enable fluid to pass between adjacent pipes, and is arranged to enable the width of the channel to be subjected to magnetic fields generated by the plurality of magnetic field generation units;
• and
• wherein each endless chain comprises, from the plurality of magnetic field generation units, a group of adjacent magnetic field generation units linked together, and comprises at least one non-magnetic unit positioned between two magnetic field generation units in the endless chain.

An apparatus for removing magnetic particles from liquid or slurry;

• said apparatus comprising:
• a support frame;
• a plurality of endless chains, each endless chain including along a length of the endless chain a plurality of magnetic field generation units to attract magnetic particles;
• a plurality of pipes arranged in an array and connected to the support frame along a width of the support frame, each pipe providing an enclosing means associated with and surrounding a single one of the plurality of endless chains, for preventing contact of magnetic particles with said plurality of magnetic field generation units;
• drive means to circulate each of the plurality of endless chains within a respective enclosing means;
• and
• collection means to collect the magnetic particles;
• wherein the drive means is configured to circulate each endless chain to pass through a bore defined by its associated pipe by drawing the endless chain along the pipe, and wherein each of the pipes follows a curved path;
• wherein each plurality of magnetic field generation units is configured to direct magnetic flux out of its associated pipe all around the surface of the pipe to attract magnetic particles to the outside of the pipe;
• wherein each endless chain draws the magnetic particles along the outside of its associated pipe to the collection means;
• wherein each of the plurality of magnetic field generation units includes a pair of wear discs, a first wear disc of the pair of wear discs being positioned at a first end of the magnetic field generation unit and a second wear disc of the pair of wear discs being positioned at a second end of the magnetic field generation unit, and wherein each wear disc has a diameter greater than a diameter of a permanent magnet of the magnetic field generation unit;
• and
• wherein the wear discs of the magnetic field generation units of each endless chain contact an inner wall of the bore of a respective pipe, such that the bore of the pipe defines a path followed by its associated endless chain, and guides the associated endless chain around the pipe.

An apparatus for removing magnetic particles from liquid or slurry;

• said apparatus comprising:
• a support frame;
• a plurality of endless chains, each endless chain including along a length of the endless chain a plurality of magnetic field generation units to attract magnetic particles;
• a plurality of pipes arranged in an array and connected to the support frame along a width of the support frame, each pipe providing an enclosing means associated with and surrounding a single one of the plurality of endless chains, for preventing contact of magnetic particles with said plurality of magnetic field generation units;
• drive means to circulate each of the plurality of endless chains within a respective enclosing means;
• and
• collection means to collect the magnetic particles;
• wherein the drive means is configured to circulate each endless chain to pass through a bore defined by its associated pipe by drawing the endless chain along the pipe, and wherein each of the pipes follows a curved path;
• wherein each plurality of magnetic field generation units is configured to direct magnetic flux out of its associated pipe all around the surface of the pipe to attract magnetic particles to the outside of the pipe;
• wherein each endless chain draws the magnetic particles along the outside of its associated pipe to the collection means;
• wherein each of the plurality of magnetic field generation units includes a pair of wear discs, a first wear disc of the pair of wear discs being positioned at a first end of the magnetic field generation unit and a second wear disc of the pair of wear discs being positioned at a second end of the magnetic field generation unit;
• wherein the drive means comprises a drive wheel associated with each pipe, and wherein each drive wheel comprises teeth which engage the wear discs of the magnetic field generation units of the endless chain associated with the pipe to draw the endless chain around the pipe.