Contaminant capture device and method for use

A contaminant capture device that is adapted to be immersed in a circulating fluid contained in an enclosed reservoir space, where the enclosed reservoir includes a wall formed with an opening. The capture device includes an installation cap configured for removable installation into the opening in the reservoir enclosure. A non-magnetic, generally cylindrical capture element is included, which is joined to the installation cap and configured to have a substantially smooth finish about the exterior surface. The capture element is also formed with an interior recess. The capture device further includes a plurality of cylindrical permanent magnets formed with generally planar opposite ends, which are arranged in a stacked configuration, separated from each other by pole interfaces. Once stacked, the magnets are received within the interior recess of the capture element. In one variation of the invention, each magnet is arranged in the stack with the respective north poles confronting each other. In this configuration, the resulting flux lines emanating from each pole are deflected outward to greater distances from the pole interfaces and with increased flux density than otherwise possible, which increases the attraction and capture of contaminants from the circulating fluid. The capture device can be periodically removed for cleaning.