Movable Plate Matrix for High-Gradient Magnetic Separator Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-gradient magnetic separators face inefficiencies in cleaning the magnetic matrix due to dead volumes and limited flushing fluid volume, leading to incomplete removal of magnetic particles, especially those with high remnant magnetism, which affects the clean-up efficiency and requires longer cleaning durations and higher fluid flow speeds.
Innovation Solution
A high-gradient magnetic separator design featuring movable plate-like separation structures relative to stationary ones, allowing for counter-current flushing and turbulence generation during cleaning, enhancing particle release with rotational and oscillatory movements, and modular setup for improved fluid flow and cleaning efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the matrix is cleaned by high speed flushing water in a counter-current flow, then the cleaning effectiveness is improved, but the volume of flushing fluid and pumping power increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The matrix is designed with movable cleaning elements that can shift position during the cleaning cycle. These elements create dynamic flow paths that enhance cleaning effectiveness without requiring increased flushing fluid volume or pumping power, directly resolving the contradiction between cleaning effectiveness and flushing fluid consumption
2Reliability
If the matrix is cleaned by high speed flushing water, then magnetic particles are removed, but dead volumes in the matrix area remain insufficiently flushed
Solution Approach 1:
Movable cleaning elements are introduced that can change position to access and clean dead volumes within the matrix structure. This dynamic approach allows thorough cleaning of previously inaccessible areas without requiring fundamental changes to the matrix structure itself
Solution Approach 2:
The movable cleaning elements act as intermediaries that bridge the gap between the flushing fluid and the dead volumes. These elements physically move into the dead volume areas to facilitate particle removal, solving the problem of insufficient flushing in complex matrix structures
3Ease of operation
If the magnetic field is switched off during cleaning, then particle removal is easier, but the cleaning duration and flushing volume must be increased to maintain productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning system uses movable elements that create mechanical disturbance and turbulence in the flushing fluid. This dynamic cleaning action enables effective particle removal even when the magnetic field remains active, eliminating the need to switch off the magnetic field and thereby maintaining continuous productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The movable cleaning elements generate mechanical vibration and turbulence in the flushing fluid as they move through the matrix. This mechanical action disrupts the magnetic attachment of particles to the matrix, enabling particle removal without requiring the magnetic field to be switched off, thus maintaining productivity
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The design enables efficient and complete matrix cleaning with reduced flushing volume and flow speed, improving separation performance and reducing cleaning time, while maintaining separation efficiency even under magnetic field influence.
Implementation Method 1
The magnetic elements of the matrix consist generally of steel wool or respectively a wire mesh or profiled metal plates. They are magnetized by the outer field and develop magnetic poles which at certain locations strengthen or weaken the outer magnetic field.
Implementation Method 2
The high field strength gradients formed thereby provide for a strong magnetic force effective on para- or respectively, ferro-magnetic particles directed toward higher field strengths.
Implementation Method 3
The matrix is cleaned by high speed flushing water in a counter-current flow.
Implementation Method 4
allowing for counter-current flushing and turbulence generation during cleaning, enhancing particle release with rotational and oscillatory movements
Data Source
AI summary
In a high-gradient magnetic separator for the selective separation of magnetic particles from a suspension which is conducted through a matrix of plate-like separation structures of a magnetic material which are disposed in a magnetic field and through which the suspension is conducted, alternate plates of the separation structures are movable relative to the other plates which are stationary and are all mounted on a carrier by which they can be moved relative to the stationary plates at least during cleaning of the plates for the removal of magnetic particles collected on the plates.