Application of Superconducting Magnetic Separation for Condenser Water Treatment in Thermal Power Plant

Abstract

Superconducting high gradient magnetic separation (HGMS) has advantages to treat wastewater because it can generate high magnetic field and achieve rapid purification. In this study superconducting HGMS was applied to remove impurities from the condenser water in thermal power plant. The condenser water contained mainly hematite and maghemite and it was highly magnetized than hematite. In the HGMS tests using a 6-T cryo-cooled Nb-Ti superconducting magnet, the turbidity of the condenser water was effectively reduced up to 99.6% and the result showed better performance than that of the 0.5-T permanent magnet test. The higher magnetic field was applied in the range of 1-6T, the more iron oxides were removed. The effect of magnetic filter configuration on the condenser water treatment was also investigated. Consequently superconducting HGMS system can be applicable to remove iron oxide impurities from condenser water in thermal power plant.