Highly efficient magnetic separation using five-aligned superconducting bulk magnet

We have constructed the highly efficient magnetic separation system using five-aligned superconducting bulk magnets, which has ten usable magnetic poles on both sides in open space. We applied the bulk magnet system to the magnetic separation of ferromagnetic particles (magnetite; Fe₃O₄) and paramagnetic ones (α-hematite; Fe₂O₃) dispersed in water for various average particle diameters d, flow speeds V_F and initial concentrations C₀ of the particles. The multi-bulk magnet system has been confirmed to be effective for the magnetic separation and the efficiency of the magnetic separation per one magnetic pole has been estimated using the theoretical relation.