Superconducting high gradient magnetic separator incorporating a current carrying wire matrix

A new superconducting magnetic separator incorporating a current-carrying wire matrix with a background field, has been investigated. Within this matrix, magnetic particles carried by a fluid, are trapped by the wires. Theoretical studies show that firstly it is necessary to use bifilar wires. The tractive force exerted on the particles in this system, diminishes as the wire separation is decreased. Secondly, the current in the wires can be switched on and off extremely quickly resulting in an extremely efficient separation process. Experimental observation of captured material was made as a function of slurry velocity Voand magnetic velocity Vm. The amount of captured material was found to decrease with the ratio Vm/Vo.