MAGNETIC OR ELECTROSTATIC SEPARATION OF SOLID MATERIALS FROM SOLID MATERIALS OR FLUIDS; SEPARATION BY HIGH-VOLTAGE ELECTRIC FIELDS (separating isotopes B01D59/00; combinations of magnetic or electrostatic separation with separation of solids by other means B03B, B07B)

Description

B03C covers separation technologies employing magnetic fields, electrostatic forces, or high-voltage electric fields to segregate solid materials from other solids or fluids. This subclass encompasses magnetic separators (permanent magnet and electromagnet-based systems), electrostatic separators, and corona-discharge or high-voltage techniques for particle classification and purification. Applications include mineral processing, recycling of electronic waste and metals, food processing contaminant removal, and industrial ore beneficiation. Separation methods relying on density differences using liquids or pneumatic equipment are excluded, falling instead under other B03 subclasses.

Filing statistics

CPC subclass B03C recorded 31,675 patent applications worldwide between 2013 and 2023. Annual filings grew from 1,491 in 2013 to 2,894 in 2023 (+94%), peaking at 4,105 applications in 2020. The most active applicants in class B03 are CENTRAL SOUTH UNIVERSITY (405 applications), CHINA UNIVERSITY OF MINING AND TECHNOLOGY (310 applications) and KMUST (KUNMING UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY) (303 applications).

Source: EPO PATSTAT, worldwide filings