DENSITY SIMULATIONS IN MAGNETIC FLUID-BASED SEPARATORS

The effect of magnet pole design on the magnetic field distribution in a magnet gap for a magnetic fluid-based separator was analyzed by sim ulation, using a finite element software package for magnet design, an d the results were compared to measured values. Good agreement was obt ained between the simulated and experimental values. The effective den sities of the magnetic fluid within the separation zone were modeled b y combining magnetic field gradient values and fluid magnetization dat a. These results also compared well with the observed values. Moreover , the results confirmed the existence of density gradients within the separation zone. Simulation studies were used to demonstrate that non- uniformity in the effective density of the magnetic fluid could be red uced by magnet shape modification. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.