Quantitative investigation on magnetic capture of single wires in pulsating HGMS

Abstract

Pulsating high gradient magnetic separation (HGMS) achieves high separation efficiency to fine weakly magnetic minerals with a rod matrix. In practice, the matrix is made of numerous cylindrical wires, so that an insight into the magnetic capture of single wires to magnetic minerals would provide a crucial foundation for the analysis, design and choice of matrix. In the investigation, the magnetic capture of single wires to ilmenite minerals and its dependence on the key parameters of a pilot-scale pulsating HGMS separator, i.e., magnetic induction, pulsating frequency and feed velocity, is investigated using an innovatively experimental method. It is found that these parameters have significant effects on the magnetic capture of single wires; the mass weight of magnetic particles captured onto the wires increases with increase in magnetic induction, and it is opposite for pulsating frequency and feed velocity. The cylindrical wire captures more particles than that of rectangular one, due to its larger capture area, and it has a stronger adaptability to variations in the parameters. The single wire captures more magnetic particles but a greatly reduced stability to the parameters' variation, compared to the multi-wires. This experimental method provides a new perspective in the understanding of magnetic capture to magnetic particles in a HGMS process, contributing to the optimal design of matrix and to the improvement of HGMS performance.