MAGNETICALLY FROZEN BEDS

A magnetically frozen bed exists when magnetizable solids are subjected to a sufficiently high magnetic field such that they attract each other and the bed appears to be locked. The transition between the stabilized and frozen regimes was determined for pure and admixed systems by determining the conditions when a lead weight placed on the top surface of the bed would remain supported. The magnetically frozen bed could be made to flow as a slug through a containing vessel. The fluid velocity required to initiate this transport as well as maintain the bed above a distributor was determined as a function of the applied magnetic field strength. The magnetically frozen bed has many properties similar to a packed bed. It is well suited for use as a particulates filter, with removal of the magnetic field during a regeneration cycle.