Magnetic separation of organic dyes using superconducting bulk magnets

Organic dyes were separated from wastewater using superconducting bulk magnets. Two types of particles, magnetic activated carbon (MAC) and reactive nanoscale iron particles (RNIP), were used as magnetic seeds. We set up a magnetic separator consisting of an acrylic pipe located between the magnetic poles of a face-to-face superconducting bulk magnet. We tested the separator under both high-gradient magnetic separation (HGMS) and open-gradient magnetic separation (OGMS). Adsorption ratios greater than 95% were achieved for sufficient concentrations of both MAC and RNIP, and separation ratios greater than 90% were achieved in HGMS and OGMS for certain dye particle combinations. (C) 2012 Published by Elsevier B.V. Selection and/or peer-review under responsibility ISS Program Committee