Abstract: Paramagnetic metals are separated from aqueous media containing them in low concentration by first fixing the metals on bacterial yeast or other cells so as to render the cells magnetic, and then recovering the cells by a high gradient magnetic separation technique. The metal and the cells are contacted in the presence of a compound which is converted by the cells into a product which interacts with the metal and causes it to become bound to the cells. The process is particularly useful for removing low concentrations of highly toxic metals, e.g. uranium, from industrial effluents containing them.

Abstract: A magnetic separator for separating relatively magnetic particles from relatively non-magnetic particles comprises a superconducting magnet providing a uniform magnetic field and a current carrying conductor dispersed in the field such that relatively magnetic particles are captured by the conductor. The current conductor is in the form of a matrix having either randomly, radially, spirally or parallelly set pairs of wires.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating particles suspended in a liquid from the liquid. A flow of the liquid is passed through a filter bed of ferromagnetic bodies which acts as a coarse filter to trap the larger particles in the flow. The filter bed is arranged within a truncated cone between the poles of an electromagnet. To cleanse the bed and flush out the trapped particles a wash liquid is passed through the bed and the electromagnet is energized to levitate the bed to thereby allow the wash liquid to remove the particles. The liquid flow from the coarse filter can be passed to a high gradient magnetic separator at which remaining small particles in the flow are filtered magnetically.

Abstract: In the method described fluid containing magnetizable particles is introduced into a separating chamber containing a fluid-permeable mass of magnetizable material and held therein for a finite length of time. During this time the magnetizable material is moved into a magnetic field where the fluid is drained from the magnetizable material leaving magnetizable particles entrained in this material. This draining may be achieved either by providing relative movement between the separating chamber and the magnetizable material or by discharging the fluid from the separating chamber. The magnetic separator described comprises a chain of separating chambers, and associated masses of magnetizable material, which are moved continuously through a separating zone in which a magnetic field is established by a magnet. In this zone each mass of magnetizable material is drained and, outside this zone, the magnetizable particles entrained in the magnetizable material are removed by flushing.

Abstract: In the method described fluid containing magnetizable particles is introduced into a separating chamber containing a fluid-permeable mass of magnetizable material and held therein for a finite length of time. During this time the magnetizable material is moved into a magnetic field where the fluid is drained from the magnetizable material leaving magnetizable particles entrained in this material. This draining may be achieved either by providing relative movement between the separating chamber and the magnetizable material or by discharging the fluid from the separating chamber. The magnetic separator described comprises a plurality of interconnected separating chambers, and associated masses of magnetizable material, which are moved continuously through a separating zone in which a magnetic field is established by a magnet. In this zone each mass of magnetizable material is drained and, outside this zone, the magnetizable particles entrained in the magnetizable material are removed by flushing.

Abstract: A magnetic separator, for separating magnetizable particles from a fluid, consists of a separating chamber filled with a paramagnetic packing material, and a magnet for establishing a magnetic field within the packing material. The packing material is pervious to the fluid. A process for separating magnetizable particles from a fluid consists in applying a magnetic field to the packing material while passing the fluid therethrough, so as to attract the magnetizable particles in the fluid to collecting sites within the packing material.

Abstract: A magnetic field is established in a predetermined zone. A quantity of fluid, from which native magnetizable particles are to be separated, is passed through the predetermined zone; and, at the same time, a magnetizable material is passed through the predetermined zone in the same direction as the fluid, so that native magnetizable particles are attracted to the magnetizable material.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for magnetic separation. A magnetic field is established in a first zone by a magnet. Fluid containing magnetizable particles is passed through a separating chamber disposed in the first zone. The separating chamber comprises a rigid elongate canister having an inlet and an outlet for fluid, at least two fluid-permeable partitions dividing the space within the canister into several compartments, each of which extends substantially the full length of the canister, and a packing of magnetizable material disposed between the partitions. The form and disposition of the canister, the partitions and the packing material is such that the fluid flows from the inlet, through the packing material in a direction transverse to the axis of the canister, to the outlet, and the linear velocity of the fluid decreases as it passes through the packing material. As the fluid passes through the separating chamber, magnetizable particles within the fluid are magnetized and attracted to the packing material.

Abstract: The apparatus comprises a magnet for establishing a magnetic field in a first zone, and a separating chamber. The separating chamber is provided with an inlet and an outlet for fluid and contains a fluid-permeable packing of magnetizable material between the inlet and the outlet. One or more parts of the separating chamber consist of magnetic field concentrating means constituted by ferromagnetic material. This part (or each of these parts) would otherwise occupy a region of relatively low magnetic field intensity when the separating chamber is within the first zone and a magnetic field was established in the first zone by means of the magnet. The remainder of the separating chamber consists of substantially non-magnetizable material. Means are provided for moving the separating chamber into, and out of, the first zone and for passing fluid containing magnetizable particles through the separating chamber when within that zone so that magnetizable particles are magnetized and captured in the packing.