The disclosure relates to methods and apparatus for processing fluids through the use of a magnetic assembly wherein the magnetic assembly includes at least one fluid chamber containing a fluid and magnetic particles.

The present invention relates to novel modules for transferring magnetic beads, an automated system comprising the same and a method for extracting nucleic acids using the same. The specifically designed magnet module and cover module of the present invention can be employed in the automated liquid handling apparatus by means of pre-existing moving modules (e.g., pipettor module) of the apparatus. The present invention enables a bead transfer-type method for extracting nucleic acids to be performed in an automated manner on the automated liquid handling apparatus. The present invention provides advantages of higher level of automation, more reduced cost and no need for another separate liquid handling apparatus compared to the conventional bead transfer-type method usually performed in the small apparatus designed to be used only for this bead transfer-type method. Also, the present method has the merits of more shortened reaction time compared to the conventional liquid transfer-type method.

A pipeline magnetic separator (10) having a magnet 20 including a length (24) that is to extend transverse of the separator chamber (19) to collect metal from flow passing in the direction (13) through the separator (10). The end surface (26) of the magnet (20) is hemispherical and is transverse of a longitudinal axis (33) of the magnet (20). Upstream of the magnet (20) is a flow diverter (25, 29).

A magnetic rod guide for a filter is provided that includes a base for attachment to part of a filter, a through aperture through which a magnetic rod can move, and resilient engagement means. The resilient engagement means includes one or more resilient latches for holding the magnetic rod in one or more fixed positions relative to the guide. Each resilient latch is adapted to allow movement of the magnetic rod through the through aperture in either direction, for insertion into the filter or withdrawal from the filter into one of the fixed positions.

A sample collection device includes a tube, a closure and a partitioning member. The tube includes an opening and is used to receive a sampling swab. The closure is engaged with the tube for enclosing the opening. The partitioning member is disposed in the tube and includes a blocking portion and a position-limiting portion. The blocking portion is disposed close to the opening and covers a portion of the opening so as to leave another uncovered portion as an entrance for passing the sampling swab therethrough. The position-limiting portion is connected with the blocking portion and extended into the tube, so as to limit the sampling swab in a space corresponding to the entrance inside the tube after the sampling swab passes through the entrance.

A tramp metal removing device has a primary housing to define a product flow path for being passed by a stream of raw materials and a moving path. A secondary housing is connected to the primary housing. A plurality of drawer units are sequentially stacked on the primary housing and secondary housing. Each drawer unit has a frame, a plurality of magnetic members and a scraping assembly. The frame is coupled with the primary and secondary housings in a movable way. Each of magnetic members is secured on the frame and has a magnetic section and a non-magnetic section. The scraping assembly is coupled with the frame in a way that it is only moveable in the secondary housing for removing tramp metals of a stream of raw materials in a two-stage manner.

A heat exchange apparatus for removing magnetic particulates from a gas stream, including a rotating element basket having a regenerative heat exchanger and at least one magnetic element. A method of removing magnetic particulates from a gas stream, including heating the regenerative heat exchanger during a first portion of a cycle as a segment of the rotating element basket passes through a first zone wherein contact is made with a flue gas thereby accumulating any magnetic particulates as they are attached to the magnetic element. Then cleaning a portion of the magnetic element during a second portion of the cycle. And cooling the regenerative heat exchanger and simultaneously heating an inlet air stream during a third portion of the cycle as the segment of the rotating element basket passes through a third zone wherein fluidic contact is made with the air inlet stream.

A magnetic drawer separator incorporating at least a first permanent magnet series having a longitudinal, oppositely longitudinal, and outer ends, each permanent magnet having an opening; a longitudinally extending hollow bore within the at least first permanent magnet series, the bore being formed by the permanent magnets' openings; at least a first shaft having longitudinal and oppositely longitudinal ends, the longitudinal end of the at least first shaft engaging the at least first permanent magnet series within the bore; at least a first wiper engaging the outer end of the at least first permanent magnet series; and a frame having longitudinal and oppositely longitudinal ends, wherein the at least first wiper is fixedly attached to the frame's longitudinal end, and wherein the at least first shaft is fixedly attached to the frame's oppositely longitudinal end.

Methods of concentrating beads in a droplet and/or loading beads on a fluidic device are provided, including among other things, a method of concentrating beads in a droplet, the method comprising: (a) providing a droplet actuator comprising: (i) an interior droplet operations volume; and (ii) a reservoir exterior to the interior volume; (iii) a droplet established in a liquid path extending from the reservoir into the interior volume; (b) providing magnetically responsive beads in the portion of the droplet which is in the reservoir; (c) magnetically attracting the magnetically responsive beads through the liquid path into the portion of the droplet which is in the interior volume; and (d) forming a droplet comprising one or more of the magnetically responsive beads in the interior volume.

A contaminant sensor (1) for detecting magnetizable contaminants (7) present in a lubricant flow is disclosed. A permanent magnet (3) is arranged movably inside a sensor housing (2). A sensor element (6, 11, 13), e.g. in the form of a distance sensor (6) or a pressure sensor (11), is arranged to detect a displacement of the permanent magnet (3) inside the sensor housing (2), and an indicator is arranged to generate an alert signal when a displacement and/or a rate of change of displacement of the permanent magnet (3) inside the sensor housing (2) exceeds a pre-defined threshold value. The permanent magnet (3) is arranged to move inside the sensor housing (2) in response to magnetizable contaminants (7) collected on an outer surface of the sensor housing (2).