A process for separating entrained particles from a medium is provided. The medium flows into an intake port, through a separation region and out an exit port. The process includes disposing a separation region between the intake and outlet ports and positioning a magnet having north and south poles at opposite ends of the separation region. For orientation, the ports are disposed along a flow axis, and the opposite ends are disposed parallel to a pole axis transverse to the flow axis. The method operates by the magnet applying Lorenz force on the particles having one of positive and negative charges away from the separation region, wherein the particles avoid the outlet port without obstructing through the separation region. Similarly, a device for separating the particles is similarly described. In addition, the method and device further include a chamber being disposed adjacent to the separation region to collect the particles. In particular, the chamber can represent a first chamber disposed between the separation region and the south pole to collect the particles having positive charge, and a second chamber disposed between the separation region and the north pole to collect the particles having negative charge.