Abstract:
A novel method and apparatus for removing multi-particulate matter from a medium is disclosed. The device includes a containment vessel for accumulating particles, and the containment vessel includes an increased diameter, generally spherical portion for accumulating the particles therein. The containment vessel may also include an electromagnetic matrix which is capable of being energized and de-energized. A blow valve is located at a lower portion of the containment vessel, and the blow valve is capable of being opened and closed, and can preferably be operated simultaneously with the energizing and de-energizing of the electromagnetic matrix. Opening of the blow valve preferably provides that the particles can evacuate from the containment vessel, and specifically from the increased diameter, generally spherical portion thereof, through the blow valve.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/925,693 filed Sep. 9, 1997 now abandoned. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     This invention is generally directed to a method and apparatus for multi-particle filtration and separation. More particularly, the invention contemplates an apparatus and method which can effectively both filter and separate multi-particles suspended in a medium, wherein the multi-particles may comprise magnetic and/or non-magnetic particles. 
     In the art of treating mediums which have been contaminated with particulate matter, such as magnetic and non-magnetic particles, various types of individual filtration and separation devices have been developed. Such devices have become necessary in order to remove particles from a medium, where a cleaner medium is required in order to provide that the medium can perform a certain function, such as where the medium is to be used as a coolant or as a lubricant. 
     Present particle removal systems typically utilize a first device to filter the larger particles from the medium. Then, a second device is used to separate the magnetic particles from the medium. Finally, a third device is used to settle out the smaller particles from the medium. As a result, the typical particle removal system is complex and consists of various individual particle removal units, along with associated conduits and flow valves. Consequently, the typical particle removal system has a high initial cost of purchase. 
     Moreover, the typical particle removal system uses a magnetic filtration device to separate the magnetic particles from the medium. The typical magnetic filtration device consists of a electromagnetic matrix which attracts the magnetic particles from the medium as the medium flows thereby. Unfortunately, the matrix, in addition to attracting the magnetic particles thereto, typically accumulates non-magnetic material thereon. This accumulation on the magnet requires that the magnet be cleaned periodically because the accumulation can reduce the effectiveness of the filtration device as less and less magnetic particles are attracted to the magnet and the flow rate through the filtration device becomes hindered. To remedy this accumulation problem, a cleaning process is typically utilized, such as a manual cleaning in order to remove the accumulation of particles within the filtration device. Alternatively, the filtration device may be cleaned by conducting a series of flushes therethrough. Regardless, the cleaning process usually translates into maintenance and cleaning costs, as well as system down time. 
     In contrast to conventional filtration/separation devices, the present invention both filters and separates particles from a medium utilizing, essentially, a single device. The present invention allows for the removal of magnetic and/or non-magnetic particles (multi-particles) contained in a medium, without the need to use several complex individual filtration and settling devices, and without the need for the associated conduits and flow valves which would normally be required to inter-connect the individual devices. This results in a lower initial cost of purchase, along with a reduction in the amount of maintenance and upkeep required. 
     Further, the present invention provides that magnetic particles can be removed from a medium without having to employ an electromagnetic matrix. However, if an electromagnetic matrix is employed with the present invention, the present invention provides that non-magnetic particles which begin to build up on the electromagnetic matrix are easily removed during operation, thereby alleviating the accumulation problem associated with conventional magnetic filtration devices, and avoiding the disadvantages normally associated therewith. 
     OBJECTS AND SUMMARY 
     A general object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and method for the removal of particles from a medium. 
     An object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and method for the removal of magnetic and/or non-magnetic particles from a medium, without necessarily having to employ an electromagnetic matrix. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a simple and highly efficient apparatus and method for the continuous removal of magnetic and/or nonmagnetic particles from a medium, without the continuous need to manually shutdown, clean, and service the apparatus. 
     Briefly, and in accordance with the foregoing, the present invention envisions a filtration and separation device and method for removing particles from a medium. The device includes a containment vessel for accumulating particles, and the containment vessel includes an increased diameter, generally spherical portion for accumulating the particles therein. The containment vessel may also include an electromagnetic matrix which is capable of being energized and de-energized. A blow valve is located at a lower portion of the containment vessel, and the blow valve is capable of being opened and closed, and can preferably be operated simultaneously with the energizing and de-energizing of the electromagnetic matrix. Opening of the blow valve preferably provides that the particles can evacuate from the containment vessel, and specifically from the increased diameter, generally spherical portion thereof, through the blow valve. 
     The method for removing particles from a medium in accordance with the present invention envisions introducing a flow of the medium to a containment vessel having an increased diameter, generally spherical portion while simultaneously maintaining a valve on the containment vessel in a closed position. The increased diameter, generally spherical portion generally retains the particles as purified medium leaves the containment vessel. After a period of time, the blow valve is opened, resulting in the particles being evacuated from the containment vessel. The steps of the method can be repeated at periodic time intervals. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The organization and manner of the structure and operation of the invention, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals identify like elements in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a novel filtration/separation device in accordance with the present invention showing operation when an electromagnetic matrix is energized and a valve is closed; 
     FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the novel filtration/separation device of FIG. 1 showing the operation thereof when the electromagnetic matrix is de-energized and the valve is opened; 
     FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view, taken along line a—a of FIG. 1, of the novel filtration/separation device of FIG. 1, showing the electromagnetic matrix and the attraction of magnetic particles thereto; 
     FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view, taken along line b—b of FIG. 3, of the electromagnetic matrix of FIG. 3, showing overlapping electromagnetic fields produced thereby when the electromagnetic matrix is energized; 
     FIG. 5 is a simplified circuit diagram of an electric controller which can be used to energize and de-energize the electromagnetic matrix and operate the valve of the novel filtration/separation device of FIGS. 1 and 2; 
     FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a filtration/separation device which is in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention showing operation when unpurified medium flows into the device and a blow valve is kept closed, and showing purified medium leaving the device while particles are retained in an increased diameter, generally spherical portion of the containment vessel; 
     FIG. 7 is a schematic view of the filtration/separation device shown in FIG. 6, showing operation thereof when medium flows into the device and the blow valve is held opened, and showing the particles which had been retained in the increased diameter, generally spherical portion of the containment vessel being evacuated from the containment vessel, out the blow valve; 
     FIG. 8 is a schematic view of a filtration/separation device which is in accordance with still another alternative embodiment of the present invention showing operation when unpurified medium flows into the device and a blow valve is kept closed, and showing purified medium leaving the device while particles are retained in an increased diameter, generally spherical portion of the containment vessel and particles are attracted to an electromagnetic matrix of the device; 
     FIG. 9 is a schematic view of the filtration/separation device shown in FIG. 8, showing operation thereof when medium flows into the device and the blow valve is held opened, and showing the particles which had been retained in the increased diameter, generally spherical portion of the containment vessel and particles which had been attracted to the electromagnetic matrix being evacuated from the containment vessel, out the blow valve. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     While the invention may be susceptible to embodiment in different forms, there are shown in the drawings, and herein will be described in detail, specific embodiments with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the principles of the invention, and is not intended to limit the invention to that as illustrated and described herein. 
     The present invention is directed to a novel filtration/separation device and method. Shown in FIG. 1 is a novel filtration/separation device  10  in accordance a first embodiment of the present invention. As shown, the filtration/separation device  10  comprises a containment vessel  12  having an upper portion  14  and a lower portion  16 . The containment vessel  12  may have almost any shape and may be comprised of almost any material. Disposed between the upper portion  14  and lower portion  16  is an electromagnetic matrix  18  which can be energized and de-energized in response to a master control signal  19 . The energizing and de-energizing of the electromagnetic matrix  18  will be described more fully later herein. 
     In communication with the upper portion  14  of the containment vessel  12  is an inlet port  20 , and the inlet port  20  receives a contaminated medium  22 . As shown, the contaminated medium  22  flowing into the containment vessel  12  through the inlet port  20  can have both magnetic particles  24  and non-magnetic particles  26  suspended therein. The contaminated medium  22  may be almost any substance, such as fluid or air having particles suspended therein. For example, the contaminated medium  22  may be a water and steel dust mixture. The lower portion  16  of the containment vessel  12  comprises a collection area  28 . Preferably, the bottom  30  of the lower portion  16  of the containment vessel  12  has sloped sides  32  in order to facilitate the efficient accumulation of non-magnetic particles  26  in the collection area  28 . This accumulation of non-magnetic particles  26  in the collection area  28  will be more fully discussed later herein. As shown in FIG. 1, adjacent the collection area  28  is a valve  34 , such as a blow valve, which leads to an outlet port  36 . Preferably, the valve  34  is controlled by the same master control signal  19  as the electromagnetic matrix  18 . In communication with the lower portion  16  of the containment vessel  12  is an outbound carrier  37 , such as a vertically ascending conduit, that carries purified medium  38  away from the containment vessel  12  while the magnetic particles  24  are retained by the electromagnetic matrix  18  and the non-magnetic particles  26  settle in the collection area  28 , as shown in FIG.  1 . Preferably, the valve  34  is located directly adjacent the collection area  28  to assist in the efficient evacuation of the settle non-magnetic particles  26  therefrom as will be described more fully later herein. 
     The electromagnetic matrix  18  disposed within the containment vessel  12  will now be described in more detail. As shown in FIGS. 1,  2 ,  3  and  4 , the electromagnetic matrix  18  comprises a plurality of electromagnets  40 , or different segments of electro-magnetizable material. Preferably, the magnets  40  are staggered in such a manner that the magnets  40  exert overlapping magnetic fields  42  when energized, as shown in FIG.  4 . The overlapping magnetic fields  42  facilitate an extremely effective attraction of the magnetic particles  24  from the contaminated medium  22 , as shown in FIGS. 1,  3  and  4 . As shown in FIG. 4, the exterior surface  46  of each of the magnets  40  may be coated with a wear material  44  which does not substantially hinder the ability of the magnets  40  to attract, but which prolongs the effective life of the magnets  40 . The magnets  40  of the electromagnetic matrix  18  retain the magnetic particles  24  of the contaminated medium  22  while the remainder of the contaminated medium  22  flows therepast. As the electromagnetic matrix  18  retains the magnetic particles  24 , the non-magnetic particles  26  of the contaminated medium  22  settle and collect in the collection area  28 , and the remainder of the contaminated medium  22 , or a purified medium  38 , flows into the outbound carrier  37 , as shown in FIG.  1 . The purified medium  38  is forced up into the outbound carrier  37  by forces exerted thereto as a result of contaminated medium  22  still flowing into the containment vessel  12  through the inlet port  20 . The outbound carrier  37  is disposed a certain distance from the collection area  28  so as to allow purified medium  38  to flow into the outbound carrier  37  without also having some of the non-magnetic particles  26  which have settled in the collection area  28  also flow into the outbound carrier  37 . To assist in forcing the purified medium  38  into the outbound carrier  37  from the containment vessel  12 , it is possible to utilize some type of vacuum pressure within the outbound carrier  37 . 
     As shown in FIG. 2, the containment vessel  12  may be situated such that adjacent to the outlet port  36  of the containment vessel  12  is a receiving container  48 , such as a steel dust depository, for receiving contaminated medium  22 , along with the magnetic particles  26  which had been retained by the electromagnetic matrix  18  and non-magnetic particles  24  which have settled in the collection area  28 , all which exit the containment vessel  12  through the outlet port  36  as a result of the valve  34  being opened and the electromagnetic matrix  18  being de-energized in response to the master control signal  19 . Preferably, the receiving container  48  is located directly below the outlet port  36  so that gravity and the incoming contaminated medium  22  may carry the magnetic particles  26 , once retained by the electromagnetic matrix  18 , and the non-magnetic particles  24 , once settled in the collection area  28 , from the containment vessel  12 , through the outlet port  36 , to the receiving container  48 . 
     As mentioned, the inlet port  20  provides that the containment vessel  12  can receive contaminated medium  22 . To this end, the inlet port  20  of the containment vessel  12  may be connected to an inbound carrier  50 , such as a conduit, which carries the contaminated medium  22  to the containment vessel  12 . The contaminated medium  22  may enter the containment vessel  12  under gravity. Alternatively, the contaminated medium  22  may enter the containment vessel under some exterior force. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the inbound carrier  50  may be connected to a pump  52  which forces the contaminated medium  22  from a recovery tank  54 , along the inbound carrier  50 , to the containment vessel  12 . 
     As mentioned, and as shown in FIG. 1, in communication with the lower portion  16  of the containment vessel  12  is an outbound carrier  37  that carries purified medium  38  away from the containment vessel  12 . As shown, the outbound carrier  37  may lead to the recovery tank  54  so that the purified medium  38  can be carried thereto from the containment vessel  12 . Additionally, a drain pipe  56 , such as a conduit or other passageway, may interconnect the receiving container  48  and the recovery tank  54 . Preferably, the drain pipe  56  connects to the receiving container  48  enough of a distance from the bottom  58  of the receiving container  48  so that some of the magnetic particles  24  and non-magnetic particles  26  from the contaminated medium  22  can settle on the bottom  58  of the receiving container  48  and not travel into the drain pipe  56 , thus allowing a somewhat purified medium  62  to carry from the receiving container  48  to the recovery tank  54 . 
     Many types of devices, such as electrical, pneumatic, or mechanical devices can be used to control the operation of the pump  52  and produce the master control signal  19  used to operate the valve  34  and electromagnetic matrix  18  shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. For example, shown in FIG. 5 is an electrical controller  64  which may be used. The electrical controller  64  includes a power switch  66  which receives power from an external power source  67  such as a 3 phase 240 Volt or 480 Volt power source in communication with a 0.300 KVA transformer. The power source  67  may also be connected to one or more fuses  69 . When the starter (not shown) of the pump  52  is energized, contact  68  is closed, and the pump  52  will start running thus sending contaminated medium  22  to the containment vessel  12  along the inbound carrier  50 , as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. When the electromagnetic matrix  18  is energized, it is energized through the normally closed contact  70 , bridge rectifier  71 , and the normally closed contact of relay  72 . At this time, timer  74  begins timing through the contact  70 . After a certain period of time, such as after two to three minutes, timer  74  and  75  turns on and opens the solenoid  76  and the valve  34 . Timer  75  energizes relay  72  which de-energizes, or de-magnetizes the electromagnetic matrix  18  for a certain period of time. Timer  74  controls how long the valve  34  stays open, such as for three to five seconds. During such time, particles  24  and  26  along with incoming contaminated medium  22  exit the outlet port  36  of the containment vessel  12 . After such time, the cycle repeats itself starting with timer  70 . 
     Operation of the filtration/separation device  10  will now be described. Should the electrical controller  64  in FIG. 5 be utilized to operate the pump  52 , the valve  34  and the electromagnetic matrix  18 , the electrical controller  64  would cause the pump  52  to forward contaminated medium  22  from the recovery rank  54 , along the inbound carrier  50 , to the inlet port  20  of the containment vessel  12 . At this time, the electrical controller  64  produces a master control signal  19  causing the electromagnetic matrix  18  to be energized and causing the valve  34  to be closed. Therefore, as the contaminated medium  22  flows into the containment vessel  12 , and is introduced to the electromagnetic matrix  18 , the magnets  40  of the electromagnetic matrix  18  attract and retain magnetic particles  24  from the contaminated medium  22 . As the remainder of the contaminated medium  22  flows past the electromagnetic matrix  18 , non-magnetic particles  26  settle within the collection area  28 , and a resulting purified medium  38  flows into the outbound carrier  37 . The purified medium  38  flows into the outbound carrier  37  because of forces being exerted on the purified medium  38  by the continuous introduction of the contaminated medium  22  to the containment vessel  12  through the inlet port  20 . As shown in FIG. 1, preferably the outbound carrier  37  carries the purified medium  38  back to the recovery tank  54  and is recycled back to the containment vessel  12  by the pump  52 . 
     After some time, the electrical controller  64  produces a master control signal  19  causing the electromagnetic matrix  18  to de-energize and causing the valve  34  to open. As a result, as shown in FIG. 2, the magnetic particles  24  are no longer attracted to the magnets  40  of the electromagnetic matrix  18 , and the contaminated medium  22  carries the magnetic particles  24 , which had been once retained by the electromagnetic matrix  18 , through the valve  34  and out the output port  36 , along with the non-magnetic particles  26  which had settled in the collection area  28 . As the contaminated medium  22  and the particles  24  and  26  flow through the containment vessel  12  and to the outlet port  36 , they work to scrub the electromagnetic matrix  18  and the inside of the containment vessel  12 . Therefore, problems associated with accumulation on the magnets  40  are avoided, and the containment vessel  12  is kept clean. As the contaminated medium  22 , the magnetic particles  24 , which were once retained by the electromagnetic matrix  18 , and the non-magnetic particles  26 , which had settled in the collection area  28 , flow through the outlet port  36 , they flow thereafter down into the receiving container  48 . Within the receiving container  48 , some magnetic and non-magnetic particles,  24  and  26 , respectively, will preferably settle on the bottom of the receiving container  48 , and a somewhat purified medium  62  will travel through the drain pipe  56  to the recovery tank  54 . After the contaminated medium  22 , the magnetic particles  24 , which were once retained by the electromagnetic matrix  18 , and the non-magnetic particles  26 , which had settled in the collection  28 , flow through the outlet port  36 , the process may be repeated in order to obtain and maintain as clear a medium as possible within the recovery tank  54 . 
     Specifically, the filtration/separation device  10  in accordance with the present invention can be used within the field of steel grinding, and this specific application of the filtration/separation device  10  will now be described. As steel is grinded on a grinding table using one or more grinding stones (not shown), steel dust falls into the recovery tank  54  which is located under the grinding table. Because the steel dust, after some time, can damage the grinding stone(s), the steel dust is mixed with water within the recovery tank  54 , and, as shown in FIG. 1, the pump  52  pumps the steel dust and water mixture (the contaminated medium  22 ) into the inbound carrier  50  and to the inlet port  20  of the containment vessel  12 . 
     As the steel dust and water mixture travels from the recovery tank  54  and into the containment vessel  12  though the inlet port  20 , the electromagnetic matrix  18  is energized and the valve  34 , a blow down valve, is closed, preferably both in response to the master control signal  19 . After the steel dust and water mixture enters the containment vessel  12 , the steel dust and water mixture flows past the energized electromagnetic matrix  18 . As the mixture flows past the electromagnetic matrix  18 , the electromagnetic matrix  18  attracts the steel dust (magnetic particles  24 ) from the mixture, as shown in FIG. 1, and allows the remainder of the mixture to flow therepast. 
     After what remains of the mixture flows past the energized electromagnetic matrix  18 , the mixture flows to the collection area  28  where other contaminant particles in the mixture, such as dirt, etc. (non-magnetic particles  26 ), settle. Additionally, if any steel dust (magnetic particles  24 ) have bypassed the electromagnetic matrix  18  and have therefore remained in the mixture, this steel dust would also settle in the collection area  28 . Preferably, after the electromagnetic matrix  18  has attracted and retained the steel dust (magnetic particles  24 ) thereagainst, and after dirt and other particles (such as nonmagnetic particles  26 ) have settled in the collection area  28 , the steel dust and water mixture has preferably been reduced to almost pure water (a purified medium  38 ). The water then flows into the outbound carrier  37  and travels to the recovery tank  54  where the water mixes with steel dust which has fallen thereinto from the grinding table. Thereafter, the steel dust and water mixture (contaminated medium  22 ) is again forwarded to the containment vessel  12  by the pump  52 . After a period of time, for example, after a period of one to three minutes, the electromagnetic matrix  18  is deenergized and the valve  34 , a blow down valve, is opened (preferably in response to the master control signal  19 ) while the steel dust and water mixture (contaminated medium  22 ) is still being supplied to the containment vessel  12  by the pump  52  as shown in FIG.  2 . As a result of de-energizing the electromagnetic matrix  18 , the electromagnetic matrix  18  releases the steel dust (magnetic particles  24 ) which had been retained by the electromagnetic matrix  18 . Therefore, when the steel dust and water mixture enters the containment vessel  12  and flows past the de-energized electromagnetic matrix  18 , the mixture carries away the steel dust (magnetic particles  24 ) which had been retained by the electromagnetic matrix  18 . Additionally, the mixture scrubs away any dirt or other particles (such as non-magnetic particles  26 ) which had begun to accumulate on the electromagnetic matrix  18 . As all this material flows from the electromagnetic matrix  18 , the material travels to the collection area  28  where it further collects any dirt or other particles (such as non-magnetic particles  26 ) which had settled in the collection area  28 . As the steel dust and water mixture flows through the containment vessel  12  and collects all this material, the mixture and collected material, including the steel dust (magnetic particles  24 ) released by the electromagnetic matrix  18 , scrubs the inside of the containment vessel  12  and particularly the collection area  28  as the material flows thereby. From the collection area  28 , all the material flows through the valve  34  and out the outlet port  36 , as shown in FIG.  2 . From the outlet port  36 , all this material drops to the receiving container  48 . In the receiving container  48 , some particles (such as magnetic and non-magnetic particles,  24  and  26 , respectively) settle at the bottom  58  of the receiving container  48  while a mixture of mostly water (a somewhat purified medium  62 ) flows from the receiving container  48  to the recovery tank  54  through the drain pipe  56 . After some period of time, the electromagnetic matrix  18  is re-energized, the valve  34  is closed again, and the process is repeated. As the process is repeated over and over, the steel dust in the recovery tank  54  under the grinding table becomes removed therefrom, and mostly water remains therein. In other words, the steel dust and water mixture within the recovery tank  54  becomes clearer and clearer as the process is repeated over and over. 
     FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate a filtration/separation device  10   a  which is in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention. Because many parts of the device  10   a  are identical to the device  10  already described, identical reference numerals are used to identify identical parts, and a detailed description thereof is omitted. Additionally, because still other parts of the device  10   a  correspond to a similar, corresponding part of the device  10  as already described, identical reference numerals with the added alphabetic suffix “a” are used. 
     The device  10   a  includes a containment vessel  12   a  which includes an increased diameter, generally spherical lower portion  13 . As shown, the increased diameter, generally spherical lower portion  13  is positioned generally above the valve  34 . Much like the containment vessel  12  already described, the containment vessel  12   a  of device  10   a  is preferably associated with an inlet port  20  for carrying contaminated medium to the containment vessel  12   a , an outbound carrier  37  for carrying purified medium from the containment vessel  12   a , and an outlet port  36  below the blow valve for carrying particles from the containment vessel  12   a . Similar to the device  10  previously described, the device  10   a  is preferably associated with a receiving container  48  and a recovery tank  54  (see FIGS.  1  and  2 ). 
     Operation of the device  10   a  will now be described. As shown in FIG. 6, preferably initially a contaminated medium  22  is fed to the containment vessel  12   a  through the inlet port  20 . At this time, the valve  34  is held closed. As the contaminated medium  22  enters the containment vessel  12   a , particles such as magnetic  24  and/or nonmagnetic particles which were suspended in the contaminated medium  22  become retained in the increased diameter, generally spherical lower portion  13  of the containment vessel  12   a , while purified medium  38  travels into the outbound carrier  37 . 
     After some time, preferably the valve  34  is opened, and the particles which were being retained in the increased diameter, generally sperical lower portion  13  of the containment vessel  12   a , flush out of the containment vessel  12   a  and out the outlet port  36  as shown in FIG.  7 . During the flushing, preferably contaminated medium  22  is still fed into the containment vessel  12   a  so that the contaminated medium  22  can help flush the particles which were being retained in the increased diameter, generally sperical lower portion  13  of the containment vessel  12   a.    
     FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate a filtration/separation device  10   b  which is in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention. Because many parts of the device  10   b  are identical to the devices  10  and  10   a  already described, identical reference numerals are used to identify identical parts, and a detailed description thereof is omitted. Additionally, because still other parts of the device  10   a  correspond to a similar, corresponding parts of the devices  10  and  10   a  as already described, identical reference numerals with the added alphabetic suffix “b” are used. 
     Like the device  10   a  shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the device  10   b  shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 includes a containment vessel  12   b  which includes an increased diameter, generally spherical lower portion  13 . In fact, preferably, the containment vessel  12   b  of device  10   b  is identical to that of device  10   a , except the containment vessel  12   b  of device  10   b  includes an electromagnetic matrix  40  much like that of device  10 . Much like the containment vessels  12  and  12   a  already described, the containment vessel  12   b  of device  10   b  is preferably associated with an inlet port  20  for carrying contaminated medium to the containment vessel  12   b , an outbound carrier  37  for carrying purified medium from the containment vessel  12   b , and an outlet port  36  below the blow valve  34  for carrying particles from the containment vessel  12   a . Also, preferably the device  10   a  is associated with a receiving container  48  and a recovery tank  54  (see FIGS. 1 and 2) much like the devices  10  and  10   a  already described. 
     Operation of the device  10   b  will now be described. As shown in FIG. 8, preferably initially a contaminated medium  22  is fed to the containment vessel  12   a  through the inlet port  20 . At this time, the valve  34  is held closed and the electromagnetic matrix  40  is energized. As the contaminated medium  22  enters the containment vessel  12   a , particles such as magnetic  24  and/or nonmagnetic particles which were suspended in the contaminated medium  22  become retained in the increased diameter, generally sperical lower portion  13  of the containment vessel  12   a , while purified medium  38  travels into the outbound carrier  37 . Additionally, magnetic particles  24  become retained by the energized electromagnetic matrix  40 . 
     After some time, preferably the valve  34  is opened, the electromagnetic matrix  40  is de-energized, and the particles which were being retained in the increased diameter, generally sperical lower portion  13  of the containment vessel  12   b  and on the electromagnetic matrix flush out of the containment vessel  12   b  and out the outlet port  36  as shown in FIG.  9 . During the flushing, preferably contaminated medium  22  is still fed into the containment vessel  12   b  so that the contaminated medium  22  can help flush the particles which were being retained in the increased diameter, generally sperical lower portion  13  of the containment vessel  12   b  and the magnetic particles  24  which were being retained by the electromagnetic matrix  40 . 
     Because the valve  34  is held closed while the electromagnetic matrix  40  is energized, and the electromagnetic matrix  40  is de-energized while the valve  34  is held open, the electromagnetic matrix  40  and the valve  34  can be actuated using the same master control signal  19 . 
     Perhaps surprisingly, the device  10   a  shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 works practically as well as the device  10   b  shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 even though the device  10   a  does not include an electromagnetic matrix  40  like device  10   b . This is because both devices  10   a  and  10   b  include an increased diameter, generally spherical portion  13  in the respective containment vessel  12   a ,  12   b , and the increased diameter, generally spherical portion  13  is extremely efficient at retaining particles therein and allowing only purified medium to escape into the outbound carrier  37 . In fact, it has been found that including the increased diameter, generally spherical portion in the containment vessel increases the rate of particle retention (i.e. cleansing of the contaminated medium) by as much as 500%. 
     While preferred embodiments of the present invention are shown and described, it is envisioned that those skilled in the art may devise various modifications of the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.