[Consideration on high gradient magnetic separation of red cells]

The red cells exhibit a proper magnetism due to hemoglobin. In a prototype of high gradient magnetic separator equipped with an ordered ferromagnetic matrix, a set of experiments with blood to determine the influence of the process parameters on the efficiency of the erythrocytes capture was realized. Dependent on the values of the magnetic induction (1.76-2.01 T), average blood flow velocity through the matrix (0.55-1.1 mm/s), and stationary time in the matrix, different values of concentration for the red cells in the matrix were obtained. For tests realized with integral blood, the concentration was approximately 20%, while for tests with diluted blood the concentration fluctuated from 14.51% to 29.90%. A blood recirculation through the matrix led to a concentration of 37.86%. The magnetic separation method permits an acceptable red cells concentration, without apparent destructive effects on the cells.