Novel permanent magnet configurations for small-scale HGMS

IEC 246

Armin D. Ebner, Karen D. Daniel, and James A. Ritter. Department of Chemical Engineering, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208
The use of permanent magnets in small scale HGMS necessarily requires multiple columns running in parallel in order to process more feed while still maintaining the same magnetic field strength. In other words, the separation between the north and south plates of the permanent magnetic system cannot be increased to accommodate a larger diameter column without decreasing the effective strength of the magnetic field. This presents a unique design problem with respect to optimizing the permanent magnet configuration, not only to accommodate the operation of multiple columns in parallel, but also to minimize the support structure that is needed to manipulate the magnets in such a way that the field can be turned on and off relative to the columns. The effect of different permanent magnet geometries on the effective magnetic force within the bore of the magnetic system are being evaluated based on simulations carried out with the FemLab software package. The latest results will be presented.