Patent ID: 8778178

Claim:
A method for separating solid particles from liquid, the method comprising: introducing a fluid comprising liquid and a first solids content into a magnetic dynamic settler, and removing therefrom a settler product, wherein the settler product comprises a solids content that is less than the first solids content, wherein said magnetic dynamic settler comprises at least one fluid inlet for introduction of the fluid stream having the first solids content, at least one exit for said settler product, at least one exit for a fluid stream comprising a solids content not less than the first solids content, and a vertical feed conduit extending at least 70% of the distance from the at least one fluid inlet to the at least one exit for the fluid stream comprising the solids content not less than the first solids content; introducing said settler product into an immobilization unit comprising an immobilization vessel and at least one magnet, wherein the immobilization vessel contains therein a bed of magnetizable material and wherein the at least one magnet is configured to produce high density magnetic flux lines within the immobilization vessel and/or a high field gradient at or near the surface of the magnetizable material when powered by a power source; and removing from the immobilization unit an immobilization unit product, wherein the immobilization unit product comprises a solids content that is less than that of the settler product, and wherein the immobilization unit product comprises a solids content of less than 100 ppm-wt.