What is Drum Magnetic Separation Machine?
Drum magnetic separation machine is a versatile and efficient equipment for separating magnetic materials from mixtures, widely used in mineral processing, scrap metal recycling, and industrial material purification. RUIJIE Equipment provide various of drum type magnetic separator for specific project requirement.
Drum Magnetic Separation Machine Classification
Drum magnetic separation machines can be classified from multiple dimensions—including magnetic source, separation method, number of drums—with distinct differences in structure, performance, and application scenarios to meet diverse production needs. The specific classifications and related equipment are detailed as follows:
Classification by Magnetic Source
1.Permanent Magnetic Drum Separator
The core of this type adopts permanent magnetic materials such as neodymium-iron-boron to construct the magnetic system. It does not require additional power consumption to maintain the magnetic field, boasting advantages of simple structure, low energy consumption, and convenient maintenance. Widely used in conventional magnetic material separation or iron removal scenarios in mines, building materials, coal, and other industries, it is particularly effective for removing magnetic impurities during coal transportation. Most common drum magnetic separators fall into this category, featuring stable magnetic field intensity that meets most general separation requirements.
2.Electromagnetic Drum Separator
It generates a magnetic field through energized electromagnetic coils, with magnetic field intensity flexibly adjustable by regulating current. This design caters to special scenarios requiring frequent magnetic field adjustments or high magnetic field intensity demands. For instance, in certain precision mineral processing operations, the magnetic field intensity needs to be adjusted according to the magnetic differences of ore batches to ensure separation accuracy. However, this type of equipment has higher energy consumption and requires regular maintenance of electromagnetic coils to prevent malfunctions.
Classification by Separation Method
1.Wet Drum Magnetic Separator
It processes materials in the form of slurry and relies on water flow to complete separation, making it suitable for fine-grained strongly magnetic minerals—such as magnetite, pyrrhotite, roasted ore, and ilmenite with a particle size of less than 0.6 millimeters. Characterized by high separation precision and concentrate grade, it is commonly used in beneficiation operations of large mines, as well as iron removal from coal, non-metallic minerals, building materials, slag, and other materials.
Ruijie’s wet drum magnetic separator and up-suction magnetic separator are wet type drum magnetic separators. Equipped with a mineral flushing water pipe above the concentrate outlet, they can flush the concentrate adsorbed on the drum surface to the outlet, ensuring thorough separation and preventing material accumulation.
2.Dry Drum Magnetic Separator
It operates without water and is specifically designed to handle powdery or granular materials with low moisture content, such as iron removal from slag, dry powdery refractory materials, and grain. Ideal for water-scarce areas or processes with strict restrictions on material moisture, some models are designed with a multi-drum structure (from single drum to four drums) to improve iron removal efficiency and adapt to different output requirements.
Ruijie’s permanent magnetic drum is a dry single-drum magnetic separator, which can efficiently process slag materials and screen out iron-containing substances for recycling, featuring simple operation and low operating costs.
Classification by Material Flow Direction Relative to Drum Rotation
1.Concurrent (Forward Rotation) Drum Magnetic Separator
Core feature: The flow direction of the slurry is completely consistent with the drum rotation direction. When materials are transported to the separation area below the drum, strongly magnetic minerals are adsorbed onto the drum surface and rotate synchronously with the drum.
They fall off into the magnetic material collection area when reaching the weak magnetic field at the edge of the magnetic system; non-magnetic or weakly magnetic materials directly discharge as tailings through the gap at the bottom of the tank under the action of gravity and water flow. The slurry stays in the equipment for a short time, ensuring large processing capacity, and non-magnetic minerals are discharged quickly to reduce mutual interference with magnetic minerals.
Ruijie’s wet drum magnetic separator, designed for screening fine iron powder below 3mm, adopts the forward rotation mode, which not only achieves high separation efficiency but also avoids equipment blockage due to the smooth material flow.
2.Countercurrent (Reverse Rotation) Drum Magnetic Separator
Core feature: The flow direction of the slurry is opposite to the drum rotation direction. The slurry must pass through the entire magnetic field area against the current, and strongly magnetic minerals need to overcome water flow resistance to be adsorbed onto the drum surface.
They are then lifted by the rotating drum and finally discharged as concentrate on the feeding side; non-magnetic minerals are discharged to the other end of the tank as tailings along the direction opposite to the drum rotation. The slurry stays in the magnetic field for a significantly longer time, greatly increasing the capture probability of magnetic minerals (especially weakly magnetic minerals) and achieving high recovery rates.
Ruijie’s up-suction magnetic separator for screening iron materials below 5mm is designed with reverse rotation, which effectively avoids material jamming during the screening process and ensures continuous and stable operation.
Conclusion
Drum magnetic separation machine, as an efficient equipment for magnetic material separation and iron removal, is mainly adapted to two core needs: “magnetic material enrichment” and “iron removal from non-magnetic materials.” It is widely used in multiple industries such as mining, building materials, renewable resources, coal, chemical industry, and grain. Equipment selection varies in different scenarios, and Ruijie can customize suitable drum magnetic separation machines according to customers’ actual applications and the size of screened materials.
