General Introduction
Wet High Intensity Magnetic Separator (WHIMS) and Vertical Ring High Gradient Magnetic Separator (HGMS) refer to the same category of equipment. Specifically engineered for the beneficiation of weakly magnetic ores and the purification of non-magnetic ores, it generates a uniformly distributed background magnetic field in the processing zone-free from magnetic field gaps. This makes it ideal for beneficiating fine red ores (particle size: -1.3mm, with -200 mesh content ranging from 30% to 100%), such as hematite, limonite, and siderite, as well as manganese ore, ilmenite, and wolframite. It is also well-suited for purifying non-ferrous ores including quartz, feldspar, nepheline, and kaolin.
The water cooled HGMS/WHIMS integrates magnetic force, pulsating slurry, and gravity-assisted discharge to enable continuous separation of magnetic and non-magnetic minerals. It offers key advantages: large processing capacity, high beneficiation efficiency and recovery rate, minimal thermal attenuation of the magnetic field, thorough material discharge, and advanced intelligence. With the optional Online Cloud Platform Technology, it can achieve fully intelligent and automatic operation. Compared to traditional HGMS units, Sortek’s WHIMS incorporates cutting-edge technologies and processes—enhancing operational efficiency, separation accuracy, and tailing rejection rate while reducing maintenance and operating costs.
Working Principle
Matrix boxes are arranged along a rotating ring. During operation, the ring rotates clockwise. Feed slurry from the feed box flows into the magnetic field and matrix boxes through gaps in the upper pole yoke. The matrix in the working zone is induced and magnetized, attracting magnetic particles from the slurry to its surface. These particles are then transported to the top of the machine—where the magnetic field is negligible—flushed off the ring, and collected in the concentrate box.
Driven by the combined effects of slurry pulsation, gravity, and hydrodynamic drag, non-magnetic particles pass through the matrix and enter the tailing box via gaps in the lower yoke. The pulsating mechanism drives the rubber drum head on the tailing box to move back and forth, while the slurry level is maintained above the fixed level in the slurry level control box.
For each matrix stack, the flushing direction of magnetic fractions is opposite to the feed direction. This design allows coarse particles to be flushed out without passing through the entire depth of the matrix. Slurry pulsation keeps particles within the matrix in a loose, suspended state. Reverse flushing and slurry pulsation work in tandem to prevent matrix clogging and improve concentrate grade.
These features ensure the effective recovery of weakly magnetic particles as small as 0.01 mm and extend the feed particle size range up to 1.2 mm, increasing the upper limit of treatable particle sizes.
Electromagnetic Coil Comparison
Traditional electromagnetic coils for WHIMS are constructed using large quantities of thin electromagnetic wires, tightly wound into multiple magnet packs, as shown below:
When the coils are energized, it is challenging to uniformly measure, control, and dissipate the generated heat. This is the key driver behind our ongoing improvements to cooling methods.
Slon Series - Water Cooling Coil Design
Concurrently, we have continued to enhance the coil design itself. We now introduce our new coil configuration: the Hollow Tubular Electromagnetic Wire Winding Coil.
Compared to the earlier electromagnetic wire winding coils, the new hollow tubular wire winding coil features uniform cooling areas—located inside the hollow tubular wires. This allows us to revert to a water-only cooling method, eliminating the need for cooling oil (which requires regular refilling or replacement). For reference, older WHIMS units (such as Yingsawat models) currently require transformer oil replacement to resume operation.
Cooling water directly reduces the temperature of the electromagnetic coil. When combined with the hollow tubular wire winding coil, this design significantly enhances cooling performance.
Throughout the continuous improvement of WHIMS design, we have made the equipment’s weight and dimensions more compact. By reducing unnecessary carbon steel usage and adopting advanced electromagnetic wires, we have simplified the installation, operation, and transportation of the WHIMS.
Working Site Presentation
Sortek New Manufacturing Factory for Slon Series - Water Cooling WHIMS
