A particle transport system.

摘要

An apparatus in which magnetic particles are transported through a duct (96). A magnetic force is applied by a magnet (112) on the magnetic particles to hold the magnetic particles against a portion of the interior surface (108) of the duct. The magnet is an arcuately shaped magnet wrapped around at least a portion of the exterior surface of the duct, and with a plurality of poles extending along its length. An auger (102) advances the magnetic particles held against the interior surface of the duct along the duct. In this way, the magnetic particles may be readily advanced from a lower region to an upper region against gravitational forces.