One big challenge faced by the mining industry over the years is the separation of undesirable materials generated during the valuable mineral extraction process. Whether mining is done through underground means or open seams, it generates a bulk of waste products from low-value and non-useful minerals and unusable man-made materials.
It isn’t easy to separate such minerals from their valuable materials. The finest way of separating such materials is magnetic separation. This post highlights the role of magnetic separation and its usability in mineral processing. Have a quick read!
What is Magnetic Separation?
The process of using magnetic forces to remove ferrous or metallic materials from a mixture is known as magnetic separation.
Magnetic separation technology equipment includes a vibratory feeding functionality, a lower and upper belt, and a magnet. The heavy volume of material is fed through this vibrating mechanism onto the lower belt.
During this process, the magnetic force pulls all materials susceptible to magnetic attraction on the upper belt, efficiently separating the undesirable metals from the valuable end-product.
Applications of Magnetic Separation
Magnetic separation is a resourceful technique used in the mining industry worldwide. It is used in applications where it is essential to separate magnetic and non-magnetic materials.
The common industries that practice this process are food processing, recycling, water treatment, biotechnology, mineral processing, and mining.
In terms of mineral processing, magnetic separation is used to separate iron-bearing minerals from non-ferrous items like feldspar, mica, and quartz. Other commonly used applications are:
· Industrial Minerals – This process removes magnetic impurities from industrial minerals. They effectively improve the quality and purity of the minerals, so they are more useful for industrial applications.
· Iron Ore Beneficiation – These separators are used for separating magnetic minerals from non-magnetic minerals by removing the magnetic fraction from the non-magnetic material. It results in a high-level concentration.
· Coal Processing – The magnetic impurities from coal are removed through magnetic separation. It improves the quality and purity of the coal so it is more effectively used in power plants, industrial applications, and other areas.
Usually, magnetic mineral separation equipment is positioned at the beginning of a mine’s materials processing line. It helps remove tramp ore before it can damage the downstream equipment like conveyor belts and ore crushers, which metal shards or other sharp items can conveniently damage.
Most magnetic separation systems are engineered to be conveniently retrofitted onto existing conveyor belts and production systems, so major equipment relocation is avoided.
Benefits of Using Magnetic Separators
The prominent benefits offered by magnetic separators are:
Safety of the Consumers
A magnetic separator is a critical tool companies use to ensure their end products are safe for consumption. Numerous manufacturing processes can leave behind metal particles and powder, making magnetic separation a critical aspect of maintaining product purity and the good health of consumers.
Efficient & Simple
High-grade magnetic separators are designed in a simple-to-use form. Some of them can even operate with no or minimal human intervention. These separators are built to last longer and need minimal maintenance. Businesses investing in a high-quality machine can expect less cost and more ROI.
Versatile
These separators are highly versatile in terms of their capabilities and efficiency. They are more versatile in the industries they serve.
The separators are used across multiple industries with the risk of ferrous particle contamination. Procedures like chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and food in which safety is crucial, use primary and secondary separators to protect granules, powders, or liquids.
Types of Magnetic Separators
· Electrostatic Magnetic Separator
This equipment uses a magnetic field by switching power from alternate current to direct current. They are useful for removing big pieces of tramp ore from bulk material. They are easy to clean, convenient to maintain and deliver high performance.
· Permanent Magnetic Separator
They are not as powerful as electrostatic separators but are better at attracting highly magnetized materials like iron, cobalt, and nickel. A stainless-steel scraper is required to clean permanent magnets or any metal part from the magnet’s surface.
Get a High-Quality Electrostatic Magnetic Separator for Your Industrial Application from Steqtech
The magnetic separator you use must be of premium quality and perfectly engineered. Steqtech brings you the best magnetic separator that carries electrostatic separation efficiently to produce a pure end product. It involves low maintenance cost, delivers exceptional performance, and is engineered to last longer and operate smoothly. We are a reliable manufacturer and supplies of magnetic separators in the United States. Contact us today to learn more about our magnetic separator and their applications.