Magnetic Cyclones

Speaker: Professor Quentin Campbell

Abstract: The trusty dense medium cyclone, a decades-old separation technology, is widely used in coal, iron ore, and diamond beneficiation due to its ability to separate minerals based on density. While the equipment is simple, operator control is typically limited to one or two variables. However, it has been shown that applying a magnetic field around the cyclone can offer additional control, improving its efficiency. This is especially beneficial for coal producers transitioning from thermal coal to export and metallurgical coal, which have a lower environmental impact. This presentation will review historical work and outline the ACARP-sponsored project planned at Julius Kruttschnitt Mineral Research Centre (JKMRC) for the upcoming year.

Bio: Quentin Campbell, a professor at South Africa's North-West University School of Chemical and Minerals Engineering, has over 40 years of experience in academia and industry. A registered professional engineer with the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) and an NRF C1 rated researcher, he has published over 50 journal articles and 100 conference papers. Quentin’s research focuses on minerals processing, particularly responsible coal processing. Recently, he was appointed as a part-time Principal Research Fellow at the JKMRC.