The motion of small paramagnetic particles in a high gradient magnetic separator

The force balance equation describing the motion of a small paramagnetic particle near a cylindrical ferromagnetic collector is presented in general form. The capture cross-section for a particle approaching a bare wire is found to be a function of the coefficient of magnetic force and the magnetization of the cylinder. Calculations show that the assumption of potential flow versus creeping flow is a critical one which can change the capture cross-section by as much as a factor of three.