Separation of Algae with Magnetic Iron (III) Oxide Particles Using Superconducting High Gradient Magnetic Field.

Abstract

Algae in water was separated by using superconducting high gradient magnet after magnetization of algae by means of attaching the colloidal particles of hydrous iron(III) oxide. It is found that the percentage of recovery of algae depends on the added amount of oxide particles. The percentage of recovery was also found to reach almost 100% when the very small amount of particles was added to the algae suspension.These results demonstrate the feasibility of the magnetic separation of algae with no addition of polymer surfactant.