Tracking the movement of a pseudoparticle on a screen

Screen classification and dewatering are essential processes in ore dressing operations, with their efficiency heavily dependent on the oscillation pattern of the granular medium, which enhances stratification and separation, as well as the coalescence of bubbles and the collapse of interfacial menisci, favoring dewatering. This article focuses on the development of a Bluetooth-enabled device designed to simulate and measure oscillations induced in bulk particles, tackling challenges such as selecting appropriate density, shape, dimensions, and material properties for the device's construction, referred to as a pseudoparticle. The ultimate goal was to provide a low-cost tool capable of helping to optimize the industrial performance of screening, and — as a result — reduce the risks of handling wet bulk materials, reduce the energy impact on subsequent processes and reduce the generation of environmental liabilities.