Hi, All!
I faced some struggle task at control flotation process and asking help of experts in mining processes. Please share your experience if possible or maybe any ideas.
Our customer wants to measure flow and density of the slurry at the input of the Main Flotation process that is consist of 4 parallel flotation lines. But this is the worst point for any measurement: slurry moves only by gravity, without any pumps - just from the top (hydrocyclons) to the down (4 flotation lines). Moreover, tubes not filled by the slurry completely. I attached brief scheme of slurry input curquits of flotation machines. Possible places for measuring - tubes T1 and T2...
So does anybody ideas of how to measure flow and density in this case?
Usually we use electromagnetic flowmeters and radioactive density meter - but they able to work properly only on competely fulfilled tubes.
Best regards,
Sergei
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Comments
Hi Sergei,
I do know two points that might assist.
1) The pipe must be filled to give a constant flow and velocity. This will eliminate spikes and therefore give a more constant reading irrispective of what measuring equipment you are using.
2) The best way to resolve this is by calculating the total losses in the system and changing pipe diameter to the point that the head loss is slightly bellow the actuall static head. This will ensure that the pipe remains filled at all times and it will not overflow at the top.
3) When looking at flow and dencity meters, I have to discurage you from using inline systems. Slurry will in a fairly short space in time erode the sensors and it will stop functioning. The best I would suggest is exsternal sensors that do not come in contact with the slurry.
I do not know what the best sensors are, but can assist to calculate the ideal pipe size which will make the system work.
Regards,
Stefan.
Hi Sergei, did you find a solution that worked? I have been contemplating ways to measure a -0.5mm slurry flow and concluded it will be a Berthold LB414 nucleonic for density in our application, see https://www.berthold.com/en/process-control/products/density-measur.... The non-nucleonic unit from Rhosonics looked viable too, see: https://www.rhosonics.com/models/sdm-slurry-density-meter/ and also an interesting unit from Ultimo, see https://www.ultimompd.com/
Measuring flow rate of the slurry is another q entirely, and I am more inclined to derive flow from mass / current info available than to actually try and measure it.
So I am curious if you found a satisfactory way to deal with this relatively intractable problem?
Hello Sergei
Yes this application has been a very difficult one to tackle for many years, the common approach has been what you are presently using and I'm assuming that this is being used to determine mass balace and ore tonnage?
The issues (besides what you mention) are that the leading edge of the magnetic flowmeter is prone to wear and tear (requires leading edge protection, special liners (Linetex), etc.), plus the ore particles striking the electrodes cause large "spike"noise which instrumentation tech's will add damping into the transmitter as well as in the control system (eg 30 seconds + 30 seconds (multiplication) = 900 seconds - reading is already 15 minutes behind actual). You don't mention what type of ore you are processing? if the ore has any trace of magnetite in it this will effect the accuracy of the nuclear device by a significant amount.Mill tonnage numbers as well as mass balance numbers will never be within tolerances.
Might want to check out a product out of Austrailia called FloLevel (www.flo-level.com) and in particular the CyclonFlo product
Good luck and hope you find a suitable solution
Best
Jim
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4MSh2etrJqc
I would like to share with you some information on our Use Cases involving Floatation, Concentrator, Thickener, and Tailings lines
Our system may aid in your process ... please email me at l.graffius@redmeters.com
You can install an electromagnetic flow meter on T2 by modifying the pipe to ensure that the pipe contents in the flow meter are full.
unfortunately you do not provide the following data info:
1. tank capacity
2. Minimum flow rate at point t2
3. the distance between the tank and the pipe t2
with respect to flow due to gravity (low pressure) you must be able to ascertain whether the electromagnetic can detect the low flow at t2
maybe I can discuss with you for installation and others and if you don't mind you can inform the data above and you can contact me at rudy@wmablog.com
tankyou
rudy winoro
www.inaparts.com