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Common faults and troubleshooting ideas in the operation of vertical high gradient magnetic separators

2026-07-30

The vertical ring high gradient magnetic separator is a key equipment for deep iron removal from quartz sand, which can effectively remove weak magnetic impurities such as magnetite and hematite. However, in actual production, problems such as magnetic medium blockage, coil overheating, and fluctuations in iron removal efficiency often occur, directly affecting the quality of finished products and production line operation rate. Based on common on-site fault phenomena, the troubleshooting ideas and handling methods are summarized below.

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Frequent blockage of magnetic media leads to decreased flushing effect

Magnetic medium blockage is the most common problem in high gradient magnetic separators. After the magnetic particles in the slurry are adsorbed on the surface of the magnetic medium, if the flushing water pressure is insufficient or the flushing direction is unreasonable, the gaps between the media will gradually be filled with mineral deposits, resulting in channel contraction or even complete blockage. The phenomenon is manifested as severe demagnetization in tailings, a decrease in concentrate production, and an increase in equipment current.

When troubleshooting, first check whether the flushing water pressure meets the design requirements, usually maintained at 0.3-0.5MPa. Next, observe whether the flushing water nozzle is blocked and regularly clean the sediment inside the nozzle. For models equipped with pulsation mechanisms, check whether the pulsation box and rubber membrane are working properly. Pulsating fluid force can effectively prevent medium blockage. If the above checks are normal but blockages still occur frequently, it is necessary to consider whether the magnetic medium itself needs to be replaced or cleaned. Some models use independently removable spring magnetic media, which can be directly removed and cleaned after blockage.

Excitation coil temperature is too high, cooling system failure

The coil is the core component of a high gradient magnetic separator. If the cooling is poor during long-term operation, it can cause a decrease in magnetic field strength, and in severe cases, it can lead to insulation burnout of the coil. The common reason is that the quality of the cooling water is not clean, and impurities in the water get stuck at the copper tube diameter change, causing blockage of the flow channel and a decrease in heat transfer efficiency. Under the action of a magnetic field, ferromagnetic particles will also adsorb onto the pipe wall, accelerating scaling.

When dealing with such problems, first check whether the inlet temperature and flow rate of the cooling water are normal, and check whether the water temperature detection device displays an over temperature alarm. If the cooling water is turbid or contains impurities, the filter should be cleaned and a qualified water source should be replaced. If conditions permit, the open water cooling system can be transformed into a fully enclosed circulating cooling system to isolate impurities from the source. At the same time, check whether the heat exchanger is scaled and perform regular chemical cleaning. Experience has shown that when the working temperature of the coil is stably controlled below 40 ℃, the equipment operates most reliably.

The iron removal effect fluctuates, and the iron content in the finished product is unstable

The sudden deterioration of iron removal effect is usually investigated from the following aspects. Firstly, check whether the magnetic field strength has reached the set value. Use a Gaussian meter to measure the magnetic field in the selected area. If the measured value is lower than the nominal value, check whether the excitation current is normal and whether the rectifier components are damaged. Secondly, check whether the concentration and amount of ore feed fluctuate too much. When the concentration is too high, the flowability of the slurry is poor and the magnetic particles are difficult to fully contact the magnetic medium; If the feeding amount is too large, it will exceed the processing capacity of the equipment, and some magnetic minerals will be directly passed through the sorting area without being captured. Furthermore, check whether the magnetic medium is worn or deformed, as the magnetic field gradient on the surface of the worn medium decreases and the capture ability weakens. It is also necessary to confirm whether the particle size of the incoming material has changed. If the grinding fineness becomes coarser, the magnetic minerals in the coarse particles may be difficult to capture by magnetic force due to their excessive weight.

Ring jamming and abnormal operation

The swivel is a key moving component that carries magnetic media and completes the adsorption operation unloading cycle. The common reasons for the blockage of the rotating ring include poor lubrication or severe wear of the bearing, the V-belt being too tight or too loose, and foreign objects entering between the rotating ring and the magnetic pole. Regularly check whether the fastening bolts are loose 1-2 times a day, and promptly deal with any problems found. The V-belt should not be adjusted too tightly. Once it gets stuck, the V-belt can slip spontaneously, thereby protecting important components such as the motor and gearbox from damage. Bearings should be filled with lubricating oil at regular intervals and the oil level should be checked for normality.

Electrical control system malfunction

The excitation power supply of a high gradient magnetic separator involves multiple links such as rectification, voltage regulation, and current stabilization, and there are various fault phenomena. After turning on, if the power light does not light up and the fan does not turn, first check if the three-phase 380V power supply is introduced and if there is any phase loss, and then check if the automatic switch on the equipment is closed properly. The power light is on and the fan is running, but there is no voltage indication on the bus. It is necessary to check the control transformer, potentiometer, and control board terminals. No load is normal, but there is no current output after adding load. Focus on checking whether the contact of each point of the load is good, and whether the connection of the internal busbar and shunt is tight. After running for a period of time, if the output is blocked, there is no voltage or current, and the indicator light flashes, it is usually due to temperature protection, overcurrent protection, or power phase loss action. It is necessary to strengthen heat dissipation, check load current, or troubleshoot input power.

In daily maintenance, equipment operation records should be established, including key parameters such as magnetic field strength detection values, coil temperature, flushing water pressure, and processing capacity, in order to quickly locate problems in case of abnormalities. For complex faults such as electrical systems, it is recommended to contact professional technicians for handling.

Shanlu Heavy Industry has accumulated rich experience in the field of quartz sand magnetic separation equipment, and can provide equipment selection, parameter optimization, and upgrading services based on customer material characteristics and on-site working conditions. If you encounter specific problems during equipment operation and need technical support, you can contact the technical team of Shandong Heavy Industry for communication: Manager Zhang 13583776655 (same as WeChat).


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