Patent ID: 8485363

Claim:
A device for separating solid materials on the basis of a mutual difference in density, wherein the materials to be separated are brought into contact with a magnetic fluid across which fluid a density gradient is generated by means of a magnetic field such that fractions of solid materials of different densities are obtained, said device being provided with a magnet, an inflow chamber, a separation chamber, and means for separately discharging fractions of solid materials of different densities, and wherein the magnetic fluid flows from the inflow chamber to the separation chamber, wherein the magnet is located above the separation chamber and in that at least a duct for the supply of the solid materials to be separated is located below the inflow chamber and the separation chamber and encloses an angle with the inflow chamber and the separation chamber, and wherein the duct for the supply of the materials to be separated comprises a feed part, a rising part, and a discharge part, of which said rising part issues into the bottom of the separation chamber while the feed part and the rising part enclose an angle with the rising part, and wherein the feed part, the rising part and the discharge part are in fluid communication with one another.