Patent Grant
9370782
The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for separating a mixture, by particle type, a mixture containing multiple types of substances, or for separating a specific type of particle from the mixture.
Classification commonly refers to an operation for classifying particles having different diameters by their diameters. Countercurrent classification or selection tube classification is a type of classification technique, and is characterized in causing a liquid in which particles are suspended to flow upward (or placing particles into an upward flowing fluid) through a classification tube or a selection tube that is arranged in the vertical direction (see Patent Documents 1 and 2).
When a mixture containing first particles having a particle diameter a1 and a density ρ1 (indicated by black circles) and second particles having a particle diameter a2 and a density ρ2 (indicated by white circles) are suspended in a fluid, and the fluid is caused to flow through the classification tube 10 as shown in
Fz=4/3πai3(ρi−ρ0)g−6πηai(vf−vpi)
where g is the acceleration of the gravitational force, ai is the diameter of the particles, ρ1 is the density of the particles, ρ0 is the density of the fluid (or liquid), η is the viscosity coefficient of the fluid, vf is the velocity of the fluid, and vpi is the velocity of the particles. Note that the index i is 1 or 2, and is used for distinguishing between the parameters of the first particles and the parameters of the second particles.
By adjusting the shape of the classification tube 10 or the flow rate of the fluid that flows through the classification tube 10 so that Fz=0 is met with respect to both the first particles and the second particles in the classification tube 10 (i.e., so that the drag force, the gravitational force, and the buoyancy force that act on the particles balance out or cancel out in the classification tube 10), the first particles and the second particles float (in a stable manner) at a height where Fz=0. If the first particles and the second particles are made of the same substances (if ρ1=ρ2), the height where Fz=0, that is, the height at which the particles float differs according to the diameter of the particles. For example, if a1<a2, the first particles float in the classification tube 10 at a position that is higher than the height at which the second particles float, as shown in
Accordingly, the particles of the same type (i.e. particles made of the same substance) that have different sizes are separated or classified according to particle diameter using the classification tube 10. As can be seen from the above equation, since the force Fz in the vertical direction that acts on the particles also depends on the density ρi of the particles, the height at which the particles in the classification tube 10 float and the direction in which the particles move also depend on the density ρi of the particles. Therefore, by suspending, in a fluid, a mixture containing, for example, multiple types of particles that have different densities, that is, multiple types of particles made of different substances, and causing the fluid to flow upward through the classification tube 10, it is possible to separate these particles by type.
Patent Document 1: JP 2-31845A
Patent Document 2: JP 4-243559A
However, in a case where a mixture containing multiple types of particles that are made of different substances is separated by type using the classification tube 10, these particles will float at substantially the same height in a mixed state, as shown in
The present invention was made in view of the above-described problem, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a method and an apparatus for separating a mixture that allow, using a countercurrent classification or selection tube classification technique, a mixture containing multiple types of particles to be separated by type, or a specific type of particle to be separated from the mixture, even if differences in particle density and in particle diameter due to a difference in particle type are small.
A first mixture separation method of the present invention relates to a mixture separation method for separating, by type, a mixture containing first particles and second particles, which are different in type, or separating a specific type of particle from the mixture, using a separation tube having an inverted-conical shape or a substantially inverted-conical shape, the first particles and the second particles being respectively made of substances having different magnetic susceptibilities, the method comprising: a step of causing a fluid to flow upward through the separation tube; a step of introducing the mixture into the separation tube and holding the first particles and the second particles in the separation tube through which the fluid is flowing; and a step of applying a gradient magnetic field to the first particles and the second particles that are held in the separation tube, wherein a magnetic field gradient of the gradient magnetic field has a vertical component.
Furthermore, the first mixture separation method of the present invention may be such that the first particles are brought together at substantially the same height in the separation tube when the gradient magnetic field is applied, the method further comprises a step of moving the second particles in the separation tube to outside the separation tube by changing the flow of the fluid in the separation tube in a state where the gradient magnetic field is being applied.
A second mixture separation method of the present invention relates to a mixture separation method for separating, by type, a mixture containing first particles and second particles, which are different in type, or separating a specific type of particle from the mixture, using a separation tube that has an inverted-conical shape or a substantially inverted-conical shape, the method comprising: a step of causing a fluid to flow upward through the separation tube to which a gradient magnetic field is applied, introducing the mixture into the separation tube, and holding, in the separation tube through which the fluid is flowing, the first particles and the second particles to which the gradient magnetic field is applied, with distributed regions of the first particles and the second particles separated from each other in the vertical direction, wherein the first particles and the second particles are respectively made of substances having different magnetic susceptibilities, a magnetic field gradient of the gradient magnetic field has a vertical component, and the fluid flows through the separation tube such that the first particles and the second particles are held in the separation tube, even when the gradient magnetic field is not applied to the separation tube.
Furthermore, the second mixture separation method of the present invention may be such that the first particles are brought together at substantially the same height in the separation tube, the method further comprises a step of moving the second particles in the separation tube to outside the separation tube by changing the flow of the fluid in the separation tube.
The first and second mixture separation methods of the present invention may further include a step of causing the fluid in which the mixture is suspended to flow upward through the separation tube.
A mixture separation apparatus of the present invention relates to a mixture separation apparatus for separating a mixture containing first particles and second particles, which are different in type and made of substances having different magnetic susceptibilities, or separating a specific type of particle from the mixture, the apparatus comprising: a separation tube that has an inverted-conical shape or a substantially inverted-conical shape, and through which a fluid is caused to flow upward; flow rate adjusting means for adjusting a flow rate of the fluid that is supplied to the separation tube; and magnetic field generation means for applying a gradient magnetic field whose magnetic field gradient has a vertical component to the separation tube, wherein the flow rate of the fluid that is supplied to the separation tube is adjusted so that the first particles and the second particles are held in the separation tube when the mixture is introduced into the separation tube, and the gradient magnetic field is applied to the first particles and the second particles in a state where the first particles and the second particles are held in the separation tube.
Furthermore, the first mixture separation apparatus of the present invention may be configured such that the first particles are brought together at substantially the same height in the separation tube when the gradient magnetic field is applied, and the second particles in the separation tube move to outside the separation tube by the flow rate adjusting means changing the flow of the fluid in the separation tube in a state where the gradient magnetic field is being applied.
A second mixture separation apparatus of the present invention relates to a mixture separation apparatus for separating a mixture containing first particles and second particles, which are different in type and made of substances having different magnetic susceptibilities, or separating a specific type of particle from the mixture, the apparatus comprising: a separation tube that has an inverted-conical shape or a substantially inverted-conical shape; flow rate adjusting means for adjusting a flow rate of a fluid that is supplied to the separation tube; and magnetic field generation means for applying a gradient magnetic field whose magnetic field gradient has a vertical component to the separation tube, wherein the fluid is caused to flow upward through the separation tube to which the gradient magnetic field is being applied, the mixture is introduced into the separation tube, and the first particles and the second particles to which the gradient magnetic field is being applied are held in the separation tube through which the fluid is flowing, with distributed regions of the first particles and the second particles separated from each other in the vertical direction, and the flow rate of the fluid that is supplied to the separation tube is adjusted such that the first particles and the second particles are held in the separation tube, even when the gradient magnetic field is not applied to the separation tube.
Furthermore, the second mixture separation apparatus of the present invention may be configured such that the first particles are brought together at substantially the same height in the separation tube, and the second particles in the separation tube move to outside the separation tube by the flow rate adjusting means changing the flow of the fluid in the separation tube.
The first and second mixture separation apparatuses of the present invention may be configured such that the fluid in which the mixture is suspended is caused to flow upward through the separation tube.
Furthermore, the mixture separation method and the mixture separation apparatus according to the present invention may be configured such that the fluid is water, and the first particles are made of a paramagnetic substance and the second particles are made of a diamagnetic substance.
By applying a gradient magnetic field to a region in the separation tube in a state where the first particles and the second particles in a mixed state are held in the separation tube, the first particles and the second particles are separated from each other based on a difference in magnetic susceptibility between the first particles and the second particles. Therefore, according to the present invention, even if differences in density and particle diameter between the first particles and the second particles are small, it is possible, using a countercurrent classification or selection tube classification technique, to separate these particles by type or to separate either the first particles or the second particles from the mixture. Furthermore, according to the present invention, even if the difference in density between the first particles and the second particles is small, and the particle diameter distributions of the first particles and the second particles overlap each other, it is possible to separate these particles by type or to separate either the first particles or the second particles from the mixture.
Furthermore, according to the present invention, even if the first particles and the second particles can be held in the separation tube in a state of being separated from each other in the vertical direction without a gradient magnetic field being applied, applying a gradient magnetic field to a region in the separation tube makes it possible to distance the region in which the first particles are distributed and the region in which the second particles are distributed from each other in the vertical direction. With this, the separation capability and accuracy are improved, allowing the first particles and the second particles to be more easily collected.
The present invention is characterized in that a gradient magnetic field is applied to the fluid in the separation tube so as to separate the mixture. As a method for separating a mixture using a magnetic field, a magnetic separation method using a magnetic filter is known. In the magnetic separation method using a magnetic filter, typically, a fluid containing particles that are to be separated is caused to flow through the magnetic filter, and thereby the particles are captured by the magnetic filter, but if the particles have a relatively low magnetic susceptibility (if the particles are made of a paramagnetic substance, for example), it is necessary to apply a large magnetic field to the magnetic filter and excite it, in order for the particles to be absorbed by the magnetic filter against the flow of the fluid. In the present invention, since a gradient magnetic field is applied so as to exert a magnetic force on the particles in a state where (almost) no net force acts on the particles to be separated, it is possible to reduce the magnitude of the magnetic field required for separating particles having a low magnetic susceptibility, as compared with the conventional magnetic separation method.
In the conventional magnetic separation method using the magnetic filter, when separating a mixture containing two types of particles by type and collecting the separated particles, one type of particles is captured by the magnetic filter, whereas the other type of particles needs to be collected using collecting means that is provided separately from this magnetic filter. According to the present invention, it is possible to separate the mixture by type by applying a gradient magnetic field to the separation tube, thus allowing efficient separation of the mixture as compared with the conventional magnetic separation method.
Hereinafter, the present invention will be described. In the present invention, by introducing a mixture containing first particles and second particles into a separation tube using a fluid, and applying a magnetic field having a magnetic field gradient (hereinafter referred to as “gradient magnetic field”) to the inside of the separation tube (or applying a gradient magnetic field to a region within the separation tube, and causing a fluid containing the mixture to flow through the separation tube), the first particles and the second particles to which the gradient magnetic field has been applied are separated from each other by type, or either the first particles or the second particles are separated from the mixture. The first particles and the second particles, which are contained in the mixture, are made of substances having different values of magnetic susceptibility (or bulk susceptibility). Either the first particles or the second particles may be made of a ferromagnetic substance, a paramagnetic substance, a diamagnetic substance, or an antiferromagnetic substance, or both the first particles and the second particles may be made of a ferromagnetic substance, a paramagnetic substance, a diamagnetic substance, or an antiferromagnetic substance.
In the present invention, the fluid is caused to flow upward through the separation tube arranged in the vertical direction, and the mixture is introduced into the separation tube using this flow of the fluid, in other words, using the countercurrent that flows against the direction of the gravitational force. Furthermore, in a state where the first particles and the second particles are held in the separation tube based on the principle described with reference to
The separation tube of the present invention employs a tube or cylinder that has an inverted-conical shape or a substantially inverted-conical shape, or a tube or cylinder that is arranged vertically, and has a tapered shape or a substantially tapered shape whose diameter increases as it goes upward. For example, the separation tube may have an inverted-conical shape, as with the classification tube 10 shown in
In the present invention, a magnetic field having a magnetic field gradient is applied to the separation tube in the state where the first particles and the second particles are held in the separation tube, or before the first particles and the second particles are introduced into the separation tube. The magnetic field gradient of the gradient magnetic field has a vertical component. The force Fz, which acts on the first particles or the second particles in the separation tube when such a gradient magnetic field has been applied, is given as follows (where the vertically downward direction is taken as positive):
Fz=4/3πai3(ρi−ρ0)g−6πηai(vf−vpi)−4/3πai3(Xi−X0)/μ0·B∂B/∂z
where Xi is the magnetic susceptibility (bulk susceptibility) of the first particles or the second particles (i=1 or 2), X0 is the magnetic susceptibility (bulk susceptibility) of the fluid, μ0 is the magnetic permeability in vacuum, B is the magnetic field (magnetic flux density), and ∂B/∂z is the magnetic field gradient. The other parameters are the same as those in the foregoing equation.
When no gradient magnetic field is applied, the first particles and the second particles in a mixed state float at a height at which 4/3πai3(ρi−ρ0)g−6πηai(vf−vpi) is zero, as described, for example, with reference to
Although a fluid that is caused to flow through the separation tube is not limited as long as the functional effect of the present invention can be achieved, it is preferable that a fluid be selected taking into consideration the magnetic property and the density of a mixture to be separated. As a fluid for use in the present invention, for example, water or distillated water (which is diamagnetic), or a paramagnetic inorganic salt solution such as a manganese chloride solution or a gadolinium chloride solution (which is paramagnetic) may be used. It is preferable that the magnetic property of the fluid and the magnetic property of at least one type of the first particles and the second particles be different. In the present invention, a gas may also be used as the fluid that is caused to flow through the separation tube.
As magnetic field generation means for generating a gradient magnetic field, for example, a superconductive or normal conductive solenoid electromagnet, which is arranged surrounding the separation tube, or a superconductive bulk magnet or a permanent magnet, which is arranged on the lower side of the separation tube, may be used. The gradient magnetic field is generated such that the magnetic field gradient within the separation tube has a vertical component. Although the direction of the gradient magnetic field is not particularly limited, the gradient magnetic field may be generated, for example, vertically upward or downward. For example, a vertically upward or downward gradient magnetic field whose magnetic field monotonically decreases in the vertical direction may be applied to the inside of the separation tube.
Hereinafter, some cases in which particles contained in a mixture are separated by type using the mixture separation method of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
A case will be considered where the fluid is diamagnetic (for example, the fluid is water), and first particles and second particles that have no noticeable difference in density (the same applies to the following cases) are made of a paramagnetic substance (X1>X2>>X0). The fluid in which a mixture containing the first particles and the second particles is suspended flows through a vertically arranged separation tube 1 (having an inverted-conical shape) from the lower end toward the upper end of the separation tube 1. When, under a situation where the first particles (indicated by black circles) and the second particles (indicated by white circles) in a mixed state are floating in the separation tube 1, as shown in
A case will be considered where the fluid is diamagnetic (for example, the fluid is water), and first particles are made of a paramagnetic substance and second particles are made of a diamagnetic substance (X1>>X2≈X0). In this case, when, under a situation where the first particles and the second particles in a mixed state are floating in the separation tube 1, as shown in
A case will be considered where the fluid is paramagnetic (for example, the fluid is a manganese chloride solution), and first particles are made of a paramagnetic substance, and second particles are made of a diamagnetic substance (X1>X0>>X2, or X0>X1>>X2). In this case, when, under the situation in which the first particles and the second particles in a mixed state are floating in the separation tube 1, as shown in
In the descriptions of the cases exemplified in
For example, in the case where the particle diameter distributions of the first particles and the second particles are wide and furthermore overlap each other, the fluid is diamagnetic (for example, the fluid is water), and first particles are made of a paramagnetic substance and second particles are made of a diamagnetic substance (X1>>X2≈X0), when the fluid that contains the mixture flows through the separation tube 1, the first particles and the second particles are distributed so as to spread out in the vertical direction in the separation tube 1 (such that the distributed regions overlap each other) and are mixed, as shown in
When applying a gradient magnetic field using the magnetic field generation means 3 under the situation shown in
The mixture that is to be processed according to the present invention may include, in addition to the first particles and the second particles, one or more other types of particles, which are different from these types of particles. The one or more other types of particles have a magnetic susceptibility that is different from those of the first particles and the second particles. Alternatively, the one or more other types of particles have a density that is different from those of the first particles and the second particles. For example, when, in the case exemplified in
The present invention is applicable not only to the case where a mixture containing first particles and second particles is separated by type, but also the case where a specific type of particle, that is, the first particles or the second particles are separated from the mixture. In the case where, in addition to the first particles and the second particles, one or more other types of particles, which are different from these types of particles, are contained in the mixture, particles of the types that are not to be separated should remain present in a mixed state even when a gradient magnetic field is applied.
Although, in the above-described cases, a gradient magnetic field is applied to the inside of the separation tube 1 in a state where the mixture is introduced into and held in the separation tube 1, it is also possible to cause the fluid to flow through the separation tube 1 in a state where a gradient magnetic field is being applied to the inside of the separation tube 1, and to introduced the mixture into the separation tube 1 using this flow. In this case, as shown as the examples of
In the above-described cases, although the fluid in which the mixture is suspended is introduced into the lower end of the separation tube 1 and flows through the separation tube 1 upward to its upper end, a fluid that does not contain the mixture may be introduced into the lower end of the separation tube 1 and flow through the separation tube 1, and the mixture may be introduced into the separation tube 1 separately from the fluid. For example, the same fluid containing the mixture may be introduced into the separation tube 1 separately via, for example, a conduit line that is connected to the side wall of the separation tube 1. After a certain amount of the mixture is introduced into and held in the separation tube 1, a gradient magnetic field may be applied to the inside of the separation tube 1. Alternatively, the mixture may be introduced into the separation tube 1 while the gradient magnetic field is being applied to the inside of the separation tube 1. In the case where the mixture is introduced into the separation tube 1 through the conduit line connected to the side wall of the separation tube 1 while a gradient magnetic field is being applied to the inside of the separation tube 1, it is preferable that a discharge outlet of the conduit line be provided on the separation tube 1 between the positions at which the first particles and the second particles float.
In a state where the fluid is circulating between the tank 11 and the separation tube 13, a mixture containing first particles (black circles) and second particles (white circles) whose magnetic susceptibilities are different is placed into the fluid of the tank 11. The mixture is put into the tank 11 directly or in a state of being suspended in the fluid. With this, the mixture containing the first particles and the second particles is introduced into the separation tube 13 by the flow of the fluid flowing from the tank 11 to the separation tube 13. By adjusting the flow rate of the fluid that is supplied to the separation tube 13 appropriately using the flow rate adjusting valve 21, the flow rate (or the flow rate distribution) of the fluid in the separation tube 13 is adjusted such that the first particles and the second particles that were supplied to the separation tube 13 are held in the separation tube 13 (i.e., Fz is 0 with respect to the first particles and the second particles). The fluid from which the first particles and the second particles have been removed is returned to the tank 11 from the separation tube 13.
The mixture separation apparatus includes, in a region of the separation tube 13, magnetic field generation means 23 for applying a gradient magnetic field. The magnetic field gradient of the gradient magnetic field includes a vertical component. In the present embodiment, a superconductive solenoid electromagnet is used as the magnetic field generation means 23, and the separation tube 13 is arranged in a bore of the superconductive solenoid electromagnet coaxially with respect to the coil of the superconductive solenoid electromagnet. The separation tube 13 is made from a nonmagnetic material such as glass, acrylic, or a nonmagnetic metal, and by exciting the magnetic field generation means 23, that is, the superconductive solenoid electromagnet, a vertically upward or downward gradient magnetic field whose magnitude varies in the vertical direction is applied to the region within the separation tube 13.
When the first particles and the second particles introduced into the fluid of the tank 11 are held in the separation tube 13 as shown in, for example,
When the first particles in the separation tube 13 have been collected, the second stop valve 27 is closed, the flow rate adjusting valve 21 is adjusted (or the supply pump 15 is stopped) to stop or reduce the flow rate of the fluid supplied to the separation tube 13, and the magnetic field generation means 23 is demagnetized if necessary (for example, as in the case where the second particles are made of a paramagnetic substance). Accordingly, the second particles settle out in the separation tube 13, and are discharged out of the separation tube 13. When the first stop valve 19 is opened, the second particles that were discharged out of the lower end of the separation tube 13 are stored and collected in the collection vessel 17. Note that the second particles may be collected using the suction tube as with the first particles.
For example, when a gradient magnetic field has been applied and the first particles gather and float in the distributed region of the second particles as described with reference to
In the mixture separation apparatus of the above-described embodiment, a gradient magnetic field may be applied to the inside of the separation tube 13 in a state where a fluid is circulating between the tank 11 and the separation tube 13. Under this situation, the mixture containing the first particles and the second particles may be put into the tank 11, and may be supplied to the separation tube 13. At that time, the flow rate of the fluid that is supplied to the separation tube 13 is adjusted using the flow rate adjusting valve 21 such that the first particles and the second particles that were supplied to the separation tube 13 are held in the separation tube 13 even when no gradient magnetic field is applied. Instead of putting the mixture into the tank 11 and introducing the mixture using the countercurrent of a fluid flowing upward through the separation tube 13, the mixture may be introduced into the separation tube 13 separately from the countercurrent using a conduit line or the like that is connected to the side wall of the separation tube 13.
Hereinafter, an example of a method and an apparatus for separating a mixture according to the present invention will be described.
A mixture separation apparatus was experimentally manufactured that had the same configuration as that of the mixture separation apparatus shown in
In the example, a mixture to be processed was prepared by grinding black glass beads (Colored frit G22 (black) manufactured by Satake Glass Co.), which are paramagnetic, and yellow glass beads (Colored frit G34 (yellow) manufactured by Satake Glass Co.), which are diamagnetic, classifying the resultant particles, and mixing particles whose diameters were from 180 μm to 240 μm in amounts of 1 g for each type. The black glass particles had a specific gravity of 3.20, and a bulk susceptibility of 3.17×10−4 in the SI unit system. The yellow glass particles had a specific gravity of 3.21 and a bulk susceptibility of −9.27×10−6 in the SI unit system.
Distillated water was circulated between the tank 11 and the separation tube 13 so as to be supplied into the separation tube 13 with a flow rate of 2 L per minute. Then, the (entire) mixture prepared in the above-described manner was introduced into the fluid in the tank 11. The mixture introduced into the fluid was delivered to the separation tube 13 via the flow of the fluid, and the black glass particles and the yellow glass particles in a mixed state were held in the separation tube 13 as shown in
Subsequently, in a state where the gradient magnetic field was being applied, the flow rate of the fluid flowing into the separation tube 13 was controlled by the flow rate adjusting valve 21 to reduce the flow rate of the fluid in the separation tube 13. The black glass particles were held in the separation tube 13, whereas the yellow glass particles settled out and were discharged out of the lower end of the separation tube 13. With this, the black glass particles and the yellow glass particles that were present in the separation tube 13 in a mixed state were separated by type. The first stop valve 19 was opened, and the discharged yellow glass particles were collected in the collection vessel 17.
Then, the first stop valve 19 was closed, and the collection vessel 17 was exchanged. Then, the superconductive solenoid electromagnet was demagnetized, and the black glass particles in the separation tube 13 settled out and were discharged out of the lower end of the separation tube 13. The first stop valve 19 was opened, and the discharged black glass particles were collected in a newly provided collection vessel 17.
The weight of the yellow glass particles collected in the collection vessel 17 was measured at approximately 1 g, and the weight of the black glass particles collected in the exchanged collection vessel 17 was measured at approximately 1 g. It was thus confirmed that the present invention allows a mixture containing two types of particles which have no difference in particle diameter distribution and density (specific gravity) but a difference in magnetic susceptibility to be separated and collected by particle type.
In the above-described example, by controlling the flow of the fluid in the separation tube 13 to discharge the yellow glass particles from the separation tube 13, the black glass particles and the yellow glass particles in a mixed state are separated by type. It will be readily appreciated that, in a case where the mixture includes, instead of the diamagnetic yellow glass particles, paramagnetic particles whose specific gravity or density and particle diameter distribution are similar to those of the black glass particles but whose magnetic susceptibility is different from that of the black glass particles (for example, such paramagnetic particles can be obtained by selecting/adjusting the colorant contained in the glass), the black glass particles and the paramagnetic particles will be separated by type with application of a gradient magnetic field, as shown in
The present invention is applicable to separation and collection of substances in processing for recycling, for example, industrial waste or household garbage. More specifically, an abrasive, which is used for grinding an optical lens or a glass substrate of a liquid crystal display, and glass particles generated by the grinding can be separated from a mixture thereof and respectively collected.
The foregoing description is for illustrating the present invention, and is not intended to limit or restrict the invention described in the claims. Furthermore, the configuration of the constituent elements of the present invention is not limited to the working example, and it is to be understood that various modifications are possible within the technical scope of the claims.
1 Separation tube
3 Magnetic field generation means
11 Tank
13 Separation tube
15 Supply pump
17 Collection vessel
21 Flow rate adjusting valve
23 Magnetic field generation means
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| WO2013/089080 | 6/20/2013 | WO | A |
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