The calculation of the electromagnetic system of a magnetic separator, like that of almost any electromagnetic apparatus or device, consists of two parts: the calculation of the magnetic circuit of the system and the calculation of its winding. This article presents a general method for calculating the windings of magnetic separators, based on the principle of maximum winding efficiency, which allows choosing the optimal values of winding parameters in each individual case. The proposed method can also be applied when calculating other electromagnetic mechanisms (taking into account the specific features of those mechanisms) in cases where the calculation of the windings be carried out independently of the calculation of the magnetic circuit.

The possibility of powering separators of conventional designs with alternating current has been directly confirmed experimentally. When the separator operates on alternating current, the concentrate obtained is substantially purer than when the separator operates on direct current. Therefore, for a given degree of concentrate purity, an AC separator can provide significantly higher throughput. The recovery of the magnetic mineral into the concentrate is the same when the separator is powered with either direct or alternating current. The current required when powering the separator with alternating current is only slightly higher than the current required when supplying it with direct current. Therefore, the increase in energy losses in the separator winding when switching to alternating current supply is negligible.

This article is the first attempt to develop a theory for calculating the electromagnetic systems of magnetic separators. At the beginning of the article, the general principle of the theory based on the experimental study of the magnetic field is described, and the general information necessary for constructing this theory is provided. The following presents the results of the study of the magnetic field of the M.B.N.6 separator (with ring magnets) and the formula for determining the magnitude of the magnetic force at various points in the field. Using the law of mechanical similarity, the obtained formula becomes general for all cases of any separator of the type under study (with ring magnets). This generalization makes it possible to specify the conditions for determining the optimal values of the parameters that define the magnetic field of a separator of this type, as well as the number of ampere-turns in the separator coil.