Apparatus and method for isolating materials
Apparatus is provided for separating non-magnetic mineral values from a source containing magnetic material and non magnetic material. The apparatus includes first and second conveyers in overlying relation which counter-rotate relative to one another. One of the conveyers includes a magnetic assembly which cooperates with paddles on the upper conveyer to progressively isolate values from magnetic material. Multiple stages are provided for intermittent magnetic interactions such that the non-magnetic materials are effectively isolated from the magnetic materials.
1 - 45 . (canceled)
46 . An apparatus for separating non-magnetic substances from a source material containing magnetic material and non-magnetic material, comprising:
a plurality of magnetic separating stations longitudinally spaced apart to provide alternating areas of a strong magnetic field and the absence of a strong magnetic field;
a conveyer for moving the source material beneath the magnetic separating stations such that at a magnetic separating station magnetic material within the source material is attracted away form the conveyer to the magnetic station and non-magnetic material is not attracted to the magnetic station and remains on the conveyer, the conveyer having a discharge end;
a scraper for periodically separating the magnetic material from each of the magnetic stations such that the magnetic material falls onto the conveyer to form a layer of the magnetic material in areas of the conveyer transporting the non-magnetic material thereon, wherein each downstream magnetic separating station acts on the source material on the conveyer to further separate the magnetic material from the non-magnetic material;
a non-magnetic material receptacle located proximate the discharge end and a magnetic material receptacle located proximate the discharge end; and
a discharge separating device located proximate the discharge end to cause substantially only the separated non-magnetic material to be discharged into the non-magnetic material receptacle and substantially only the separated magnetic material to be discharged into the magnetic material receptacle.
47 . The apparatus according to claim 46 , further including a mechanism for causing the magnetic material attracted to at least one of the magnetic stations to be agitated to induce physical separation of non-magnetic material that may be attached to the magnetic material attracted to the at least one magnetic station.
48 . The apparatus according to claim 47 , wherein the mechanism comprises a continuous belt that slidingly passes between the at least one magnetic station and the magnetic material attracted thereto to cause the attracted material to be tumblingly agitated without being discharged from the strong magnetic field.
49 . The apparatus according to claim 48 , wherein the continuous belt includes a rippled surface.
50 . The apparatus according to claim 46 , wherein the discharge separating device comprises an additional magnetic station.
51 . The apparatus according to claim 46 , further including a wet separation device for receiving and processing the non-magnetic material in the non-magnetic material receptacle using a fluid and an additional strong magnetic field to further separate any magnetic material contained in the material in the non-magnetic material receptacle.
52 . A method for separating non-magnetic substances from a source material containing magnetic material and non-magnetic material, the method comprising the steps of:
providing alternating areas of a strong magnetic field and the absence of a strong magnetic field via a plurality of magnetic separating stations longitudinally spaced apart;
moving the source material via a conveyer located beneath the magnetic separating stations such that at a magnetic separating station magnetic material within the source material is attracted away form the conveyer to the magnetic station and non-magnetic material is not attracted to the magnetic station and remains on the conveyer;
periodically scraping and separating the magnetic material from each of the magnetic stations such that the magnetic material falls onto the conveyer to form a layer of the magnetic material in areas of the conveyer transporting the non-magnetic material thereon, wherein each downstream magnetic separating station acts on the source material on the conveyer to further separate the magnetic material from the non-magnetic material;
discharging substantially only the separated non-magnetic material into a non-magnetic material receptacle and discharging substantially only the separated magnetic material into a magnetic material receptacle.
53 . The method according to claim 52 , further comprising the step of agitating the magnetic material attracted to at least one of the magnetic stations to induce physical separation of non-magnetic material that may be attached to and incorporated into the magnetic material attracted to the at least one magnetic station.
54 . The method according to claim 53 , wherein the step of agitating includes the step of causing the attracted material to be tumblingly agitated without being discharged from the strong magnetic field via a continuous belt that slidingly passes between the at least one magnetic station and the magnetic material attracted thereto.
55 . The method according to claim 54 , wherein the continuous belt includes a rippled surface.
56 . The method according to claim 52 , wherein the step of discharging the magnetic material includes the step of attracting the magnetic material via an additional magnetic station.
57 . The method according to claim 52 , further comprising the steps of receiving and processing the non-magnetic material in the non-magnetic material receptacle using a fluid and an additional strong magnetic field to further separate any magnetic material contained in the material in the non-magnetic material receptacle.