Abstract
Abstract
Dry high gradient magnetic separation is one of the key technologies expected in removing magnetic metal fine particles as contaminations in the production process of various powders. However, the effect of eddy currents on such metal fine particles in dry high gradient magnetic separation has not been adequately explored in previous research. In order to understand this phenomenon more comprehensively, we conducted particle trajectory simulations using a finite element analysis with numerical methods and actual magnetic separation experiments to investigate the influence of eddy currents on magnetic separation efficiency. The results show that for both paramagnetic and diamagnetic metal particles, eddy currents can favourably influence the capture efficiency. Furthermore, these effects depend on the particle size, electrical conductivity, and the rate of change in the magnetic field. Therefore, by taking eddy currents into account, magnetic separation systems can be better optimized and their performance further improved.