Patent ID: 9010538
Filing Date: 2015-04-21
Classification: B03C

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for magnetic separation of a first component having relatively strong magnetic properties from a mixture containing said first component and at least one other component having relatively weak magnetic properties as compared to those of the first component, the apparatus comprising: a magnetic source system mounted for rotation about an axis, the magnetic source system being configured and operable for generation of a predetermined non-uniform magnetic field at a predetermined distance from the axis of rotation, thereby creating a magnetic field region while rotating in a first predetermined direction, defining a separation zone in the magnetic field region; and a tubular shell mounted around the rotatable magnetic source within said magnetic field region, the tubular shell being configured and operable for rotating concentrically with said rotatable magnetic source in a second predetermined direction to thereby form a conveying channel within said magnetic field region, said conveying channel for conveying the first component within said magnetic field region owing to attraction of the first component to an exterior surface of the rotatable tubular shell by the magnetic field generated by the rotatable magnetic source; wherein said rotatable tubular shell is associated with a tubular shell driver configured for rotating said rotatable tubular shell in said second predetermined direction at a predetermined controllably regulated angular velocity; wherein said tubular shell driver includes an endless band placed on an exterior surface of the rotatable tubular shell, thereby forming said conveying channel for conveying the first component of the mixture along an outer surface of the endless band; wherein the tubular shell driver comprises a band agitator configured for vibrating the endless band near a zone of discharge of particular elements of the first component from the endless band, said band agitator comprising a plate made of at least one non-magnetic material bearing at least one agitating strip made of a soft magnetic material and mounted in the vicinity of an interior surface of the endless band.