Magnetic adsorbents enable alternative process modes of selective separations, such as the use of batch or CSTR reactors followed by magnetic separators but also more sophisticated systems such as magnetic extractors or so-called magnetically stabilized fluidized beds (MSFB). In small scale, the use of magnetic adsorbents for clinical diagnostics and bioanalytical assays is common practise and well established, however, despite several decades of research and pilot scale campaigns there are only few industrial applications of magnetic adsorbents. Therefore, we highlight recent equipment and process developments having the potential to overcome limitations regarding continuous operation, processable particle sizes, and cleanability. Afterwards we review the state of the art of selective separations exploiting magnetic adsorbents in the most promising fields of application, such as algae harvesting, phosphate recycling, and protein purification.

磁性吸附剂可以实现选择性分离的替代工艺模式，例如使用分批或CSTR反应器，然后进行磁性分离器，还可以使用更复杂的系统，例如磁萃取器或所谓的磁稳定流化床（MSFB）。在小规模上，将磁性吸附剂用于临床诊断和生物分析测定是很普遍的做法，并且已经确立，但是，尽管进行了数十年的研究和中试规模的活动，磁性吸附剂的工业应用很少。因此，我们重点介绍了最新的设备和工艺开发，它们有望克服有关连续操作，可加工粒径和可清洁性方面的限制。