Application of high gradient magnetic separation to ferric hydroxide filtration

Ferric Hydroxide is a good scavenger for trace concentrations of both heavy metals and many radio nuclides, its precipitation from waste streams could be used as an effective method of clean up if a satisfactory process for the recovery of the ferric floc was available. This paper examines the use of HGMS for this operation and concludes that a practical plant design is feasible for ferric floc separation but would require a large installation. The work is continuing and more recent developments have shown how significant improvements can be made by precipitating the iron as magnetite instead of ferric hydroxide.