Particle capture by an assemblage of spheres in high‐gradient magnetic separation

We present a theory for the capture of magnetic particles by a bed of spheres in high‐gradient magnetic separation. The inviscid approximation to fluid flow is used in conjunction with an effective medium treatment to obtain the fluid velocity profile near a representative collector sphere in the assemblage. A similar idea is used to model the magnetic field, thus taking into account the effects of neighboring spheres. Results are reported for the capture of both paramagnetic and diamagnetic particulates by a filter operating either in the longitudinal or transverse design mode.