Is the ‘Strongest’ magnet ‘best’…?
Simply…NO… !
Before quoting for any magnetic separator, it is vitally important for us to understand the application, so as we may offer our customer an optimised Solution , ensuring we deliver performance and value for clients.
We are sometimes asked about specific gauss figures, that is usually an indication that there is a misunderstanding… ‘that Gauss energy’ – Translates into – Efficiency – which is a major mistake.
Frequently, the gauss figure is used/added with little or no real understanding of its meaning.
‘Gauss’ It is a misleading value, that is commonly stated by companies supplying magnetic separators, but it is not about the “Value of Gauss” its how magnetic energy is applied to the solution,
FYI… Gauss is a “centimetre-gram-second” (CGS) unit of measurement of a magnetic field, (FYI…1 gauss = Maxwell per square centimetre).
Gauss values simply add to the confusion… & it is easy to see how damaging particles are washed back into the system… no mater how strong the magnet might be.
For Complete Clarity…
It does not help a purchaser claiming that perhaps
“one Magnetic Separator is stronger than another”.
Its ‘NOT’ about the Power/Strength of the magnet !
ITS ABOUT THE DESIGN & FUNCTION OF THE MAGNETIC SOLUTION.
MAGNOM DESIGN AND FUNCTION at WORK
Intelligent and Clever design / innovation, means we can achieve FAR greater ‘Filtration efficiency and Particle Retention’… from a magnetic array,
Almost all Magnetic separator suppliers just house various magnets in a void/vessel, in the hope that any magnetisable contaminant gets close enough to the field to be attracted,
However… since these are generally just magnets suspended directly in the flow stream… any contamination is easily washed off… (as per the ‘image #1‘ above).
FYI, Magnetic Energy Drops Off By the ‘Inverse of the Cube Law’…
Simply:- A very small distance away from any magnet, the energy drops off massively, NO MATTER HOW STRONG THE MAGNET !
There are several inherent problems with basing magnetic separator purchasing decisions on the ‘gauss’ value alone.
The strongest magnetic fields are some Rare Earth & Superconducting Magnets and are used in both industrial and medical applications.
However, their use in industry is largely inappropriate, due to the high capital cost and environmental issues.
The wide range and varied designs of Magnetic Filters & Separators generally, means that comparing one with another on the basis of magnetic strength alone is in deed flawed and generally impossible.
Regularly, we receive enquires requesting a Magnetic Filter of a specific Gauss/energy, a specific Efficiency, a specific Flow Rate, Physical Size etc…
But this misconception causes inappropriate specification and can present a catastrophic threat to the system.