Application
Magnetic Separators for Kaolin Purification
PTMS wet electromagnetic (high-gradient) slurry separators remove fine iron and weakly magnetic minerals from kaolin slurry, helping producers meet the whiteness and brightness that paper, coating and ceramic buyers specify.

How to remove iron from kaolin with a magnetic separator
A magnetic separator for kaolin is installed on the dispersed slurry line. The usual way to remove iron from kaolin is wet high-gradient magnetic separation: the slurry passes an energised matrix that holds iron-bearing particles, then the cleaned kaolin is classified and later dewatered on a filter press. How much brightness improves depends on the deposit, so every project starts with a free 5–10 kg pilot test, with the report within 5 days of receiving the sample.
What is a kaolin magnetic separator?
A kaolin magnetic separator is a wet electromagnetic high-gradient separator installed on the kaolin slurry line. The dispersed slurry passes an energised steel matrix that holds fine iron-bearing and weakly magnetic particles; when the field is switched off, the matrix is flushed automatically. How much brightness improves depends on the deposit, so every project starts with a free 5–10 kg pilot test, with the report within 5 days of receiving the sample.
The problem
- Kaolin buyers specify brightness and whiteness. Natural kaolin loses whiteness because of minerals that contain iron, titanium and manganese, and because of organic matter.
- Iron impurities do not only affect colour: in ceramics they change the fired colour and can affect the dielectric properties and chemical stability of the finished product.
- Weakly magnetic minerals such as mica, iron oxide and titanium minerals are hard to remove with ordinary magnets. Discolouring minerals also concentrate in the fine fraction, so a separation stage that treats only coarse material leaves most of the problem in the product.
How PTMS solves it
Wet high-gradient magnetic separation suits kaolin because the material is already a slurry: dispersed particles present their full surface to the magnetized matrix. Our oil-cooled slurry separators target weakly magnetic iron-bearing minerals such as iron oxides and mica that ordinary magnets miss; the matrix (mesh) has no residual magnetism once the coil is switched off, so captured iron is flushed out quickly. Results vary by ore—we do not promise titanium reduction; confirm with a free 5–10 kg pilot test (report within 5 days of receiving samples).
Third-party Lab Test: Before vs After Iron Removal
One pilot example—Indian high-alumina raw ore on a PTMS electromagnetic slurry separator: Fe₂O₃ 6.03% → 2.33% (about 61% lower) (Al₂O₃ 50.17% → 53.31% on the same assay). Full oxide table for this sample is on the product page; results vary by ore and are not a titanium-reduction guarantee. Independent lab: Foshan Youbo Ceramic Analysis & Testing Co., Ltd., reports H2026061929 / H2026061930 (June 2026, GB/T 21114-2019, GB/T 4734-2022). See the full before/after table.
Recommended PTMS models
Kaolin Water-Cooled Electromagnetic Automatic Magnetic Separator, Model 1000Kaolin, Feldspar & Quartz Separators
Electromagnetic Slurry Magnetic Separator SeriesElectromagnetic Separators
Water-Cooled Electromagnetic Separator SeriesWet / Slurry Magnetic Separators
Electromagnetic Slurry Magnetic Separator Type 1000Wet / Slurry Magnetic Separators
Oil Cooling Electromagnetic Slurry Magnetic Separator 1000 ModelWet / Slurry Magnetic Separators
Water-Cooled Electromagnetic Slurry Magnetic SeparatorWet / Slurry Magnetic Separators
750 Water Cooling Wet Type MagnetElectromagnetic Separators
1200 Water Cooling Separator with 13 Groups of Copper CoilsElectromagnetic Separators
7A160 Wet MagnetWet / Slurry Magnetic Separators
Oil-Cooled Electromagnetic Separator SeriesElectromagnetic Separators
Vertical Ring High Gradient Magnetic SeparatorHigh Gradient Magnetic Separators
Matrix for Kaolin and FeldsparAccessories & Spare Parts
Steel Wool Matrix (Wool Hair Matrix)Accessories & Spare Parts
Grids for Slurry SeparatorAccessories & Spare PartsTypical process
- Dispersion Raw kaolin is dispersed in water to form a slurry.
- Classification A spiral classifier separates coarse particles from the fine kaolin fraction.
- Screening A vibrating screen removes grit and oversize.
- Magnetic separation A water-cooled (or oil-cooled) electromagnetic slurry separator captures fine iron and weakly magnetic minerals on its high-gradient matrix.
- Automatic iron discharge The inlet and outlet valves close, the remaining slurry returns to the tank, the field switches off and the matrix is flushed with water to discharge the iron.
- Dewatering A filter press dewaters the purified kaolin.
Based on the kaolin wet processing line published by PTMS. The exact flow sheet depends on your ore, so we confirm it after the sample test.
Reference projects
- Electromagnetic Separator 1000 Model for Kaolin Project: Kaolin project using the 1000 model electromagnetic slurry separator.
- Electromagnetic Separator 750 Model for Kaolin Project: Kaolin project using the 750 model water-cooled separator.
- Maintenance of a kaolin iron-removal line in Guangxi, China: On-site maintenance service for a kaolin de-ironing line.
More project photos on our projects page.
Kaolin: buyer questions
How much can a magnetic separator raise kaolin whiteness?
It depends on your kaolin, its iron-bearing minerals and particle size. We do not quote a number without a test: send 5–10 kg of kaolin and within 5 days of receiving it we return a report with before-and-after iron content and whiteness.
Which PTMS model is suitable for a kaolin slurry line?
Wet electromagnetic slurry separators. Published reference figures: the 7A160 Wet Magnet has a theoretical field of about 30,000 GS, a 300 mm magnetic cavity and 10–30 m³/h production rate for slurry below 40 mesh. For larger lines, the published table for the water-cooled D1000 lists a 1000 mm magnetic cavity, 8-inch pipe and a yield of 80–200 (t). We confirm the model from your solids content, particle size and throughput.
Can it remove mica and iron oxide from kaolin slurry?
Wet electromagnetic slurry separators are designed for weakly magnetic iron-bearing minerals such as iron oxides and mica that ordinary magnets miss, which can raise Fe₂O₃-related whiteness when the feed allows. Results vary by ore mineralogy and liberation; we do not promise titanium reduction. Confirm on your material with a free 5–10 kg pilot test—report within 5 days of receiving samples.
Water-cooled or oil-cooled for kaolin?
Both keep the coil temperature stable in continuous operation. The water-cooled design circulates (deionized) water through hollow copper tube coils; the published figure for forced cooling is a coil temperature reduction of about 20 °C, which extends coil life. We recommend the cooling type for your duty cycle and site conditions.
How is the captured iron removed from the machine?
Automatically. The slurry valves close, remaining slurry drains back through the return valve, the field is switched off and the matrix is flushed (air ejection and high-pressure water on the slurry series). The matrix has no residual magnetism, so cleaning is fast and complete.
What information do you need to size a kaolin separator?
Solids content of the slurry, particle size distribution, throughput (m³/h or t/h), current iron/whiteness and your brightness target. Where the feed varies, we can propose a staged set-up.
Vertical ring HGMS or electromagnetic slurry separator for kaolin?
A vertical ring high gradient separator runs continuously with a rotating ring, while an electromagnetic slurry separator works in automatic magnetize-and-flush cycles for fine iron. We recommend one after testing your kaolin.
Which matrix goes inside a kaolin slurry separator?
Grids, a kaolin and feldspar matrix or a steel wool matrix, chosen by particle size, flow and how fine the iron is. All are stocked as spare parts.
What slurry solids content suits a kaolin electromagnetic separator?
A published reference on the PTMS-H-B13K89J lists 40–60% solids and capacity of at least 500 kg/h. We confirm the window for your kaolin with a free 5–10 kg sample test, reported within 5 days.
What feed particle size suits a kaolin slurry separator?
A published reference is slurry below about 40 mesh on the 7A160; coarser feed is usually screened or milled first. We match cavity and matrix to your actual size and solids.
What maintenance does a kaolin slurry separator need?
Mainly checking cooling water flow or oil level and temperature, and inspecting the matrix for blockage or wear. Captured iron is removed by the flushing cycle, and spare matrix is available.
Where in a kaolin wet line should the slurry separator go?
On the prepared slurry after grinding and classification, before final bleaching, filter pressing or storage as your flowsheet requires. Published slurry solids reference is about 40–60%. A free 5–10 kg test confirms position and model.
Do SHMP or STPP replace a kaolin magnetic separator?
No. SHMP and STPP are dispersants (deflocculants) that help liberate iron in the slurry; the wet electromagnetic separator performs the iron removal. Used together they support higher whiteness. Confirm on your ore with a free 5–10 kg sample test, report within 5 days.
Which slurry separator has a 750 mm bore for kaolin?
The A65K750J: 750 mm cavity, 0–20,000 GS theoretical field, 0–65 kW adjustable power and oil cooling. Throughput is confirmed after a free 5–10 kg sample test.
What does bottom-feed / top-discharge mean on a kaolin slurry separator?
It is counter-current flow: slurry enters at the bottom of the magnetic cavity and leaves at the top through the stainless-steel matrix. Published on the A40K530J and A65K750J. Confirm sizing with a free 5–10 kg pilot test, report within 5 days.
How is iron flushed from a kaolin slurry separator?
After the slurry passes, valves close, residual slurry drains, the field switches off, and air ejection plus high-pressure water flush the matrix. Special meshes leave no remanence, so cleaning is automatic. See the slurry separator series; confirm with a free 5–10 kg pilot test.
Is a kaolin magnetic separator the same as a kaolin processing line?
No. The separator is one machine in the line. A full kaolin line also covers dispersion, desanding, classification and filter-press dewatering. See the kaolin line design at Magnet China and the PTMS-FP-1250 membrane filter press.
What magnetic separator is used for kaolin?
A wet electromagnetic high-gradient separator — the same family as a wet high intensity magnetic separator for kaolin. The model is chosen from your slurry test, not from a generic catalogue size.
Can kaolin be de-ironed as dry powder instead of slurry?
It can, but most kaolin lines remove iron at the slurry stage with an electromagnetic slurry separator. For dry-milled kaolin powder, PTMS dry powder separators are an option; a free 5–10 kg pilot test (report within 5 days) shows which route suits your ore.
Looking for the purified kaolin itself? See PTMS Kaolin: processed low-iron kaolin with a specification builder.
Planning a whole plant rather than a single machine? See the kaolin processing and purification line design at Magnet China.
Kaolin across PTMS sites
Send us your material. We test it free.
Tell us your material, particle size, capacity and target iron level. We usually reply with a matched model and price within 24 hours.
