Question

Explain the magnetic separation method.

Answer 1

$1.$ Magnetic Separation is which separating components of mixtures by using magnets to attract
magnetically susceptible materials. This separation technique can be useful in mining iron as it is
attracted to a magnet.
$2.$In mines where wolframite was mixed with cassiterite, such as South Crofty and East Pool mine in
Cornwall or with bismuth such as at the Shepherd and Murphy mine in Moina, Tasmania, magnetic
separation is used to separate the ores..
$4.$At these mines, a device called a Wetherill's Magnetic Separator (invented by John Price Wetherill,
1844–1906) was used. In this machine, the raw ore, after calcination was fed onto a conveyor belt which
passed underneath two pairs of electromagnets under which further belts ran at right angles to the feed
belt. The first pair of balls was weakly magnetized and served to draw off any iron ore present.
$5.$ The second pair were strongly magnetized and attracted the wolframite, which is weakly magnetic.
These machines were capable of treating 10 tons of ore a day.
$6.$It is also used in electromagnetic cranes that separate magnetic material from scraps and unwanted
substances.
$7.$One other application, not widely known but very important, is to use magnets in process industries to
remove metal contaminants from product streams[2]. This takes a lot of importance in food or pharma
industries.