Abstract
Magnetogravimetric separation in a rotational device is a promising method for effecting sharp separation of minerals according to density. Separation is accomplished by two competing forces with opposite directions, namely the magnetic buoyancy and the centrifugal force. Magnetic buoyancy is experienced by particles which are suspended in a magnetic fluid when exposed to a non—homogeneous magnetic field. Since the magnetic buoyancy depends on particle volume whereas the centrifugal depends on particle mass, a purely gravimetric separation of non—magnetic particles can be accomplished. The process is able to achieve separation split—points up to densities of 20 g/cm3, but separation sharpness decreases with fine particle sizes. On a laboratory scale, magnetogravimetric separators can be used as an alternative to heavy liquid separation, and in industrial plants they may have promise as the final cleaning stage in gravity concentration circuits of precious metals.