Apparatus for magnetic separation of paramagnetic and diamagnetic material

Patent · Tue Oct 18 04:00:00 EDT 1988

OSTI ID:7024778

Doctor, R D

The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for segregating paramagnetic from diamagnetic particles in particulate material and, in particular, to the open gradient magnetic separation of ash producing components and pyritic sulfur from coal. The apparatus includes a vertical cylinder and a rotatable vertical screw positioned within the cylinder, the screw having a helical blade angled downwardly and outwardly from the axis. Rotation of the vertical screw causes denser particles, which in the case of coal include pyritic sulfur and ash, which are paramagnetic, to migrate to the outside of the screw, and less dense particles, such as the low sulfur organic portion of the coal, which are diamagnetic, to migrate towards the center of the screw. A vibration mechanism attached to the screw causes the screw to vibrate during rotation, agitating and thereby accommodating further segregation of the particles. An open gradient magnetic field is applied circumferentially along the entire length of the screw by a superconducting quadrupole magnet. The open gradient magnetic field further segregates the paramagnetic particles from the diamagnetic particles. The paramagnetic particles may then be directed from the cylinder into a first storage bin, and the diamagnetic particles, which are suitable for relatively clean combustion, may be directed into a second storage bin. 5 figs.

• DOE Contract Number: W-31109-ENG-38
• Assignee: Univ. of Chicago, IL (United States)
• Patent Number(s): US 4778594; A
• Application Number: PPN: US 6-889131
• OSTI ID: 7024778
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
010300* -- Coal
Lignite
& Peat-- Preparation-- (1987-)
CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
COAL
COAL PREPARATION
CONCENTRATORS
DEASHING
DENSITY
DESIGN
DESULFURIZATION
DIAMAGNETISM
ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
ELECTROMAGNETS
ENERGY SOURCES
EQUIPMENT
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
MAGNETIC SEPARATORS
MAGNETISM
MAGNETS
MATERIALS
MINERALS
OPERATION
PARAMAGNETISM
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
PYRITE
SULFIDE MINERALS
SUPERCONDUCTING DEVICES
SUPERCONDUCTING MAGNETS