Development of the instrumentation and analytical base of automated online control systems for ore flows in processing plants (review)

The analysis results of the current state of the instrumentation and quality control techniques of ore flows, which are an integral part of process control systems, are presented. The application of an operational study of the material and granulometric composition of ground ore by visiometric analysis systems using X-ray fluorescence and neutron activation analyzers is considered. It is shown that in systems for determining the size and grade of ore, the use of visiometric analysis is a promising direction, and the information obtained is used to control the processes of grinding and minerals processing. For automated measurement of the parameters of ores elemental composition, the use of laser optical emission spectrometry based on the fixation of secondary radiation from an ionized fragment of an ore sample and a combination of reflection spectroscopy in the visible and near infrared range with traditional X-ray fluorescence analysis are considered. The effectiveness of using froth layer visiometric analysis systems in flotation using photo or video cameras mounted on top of flotation chambers is shown. When using video cameras, along with color analysis, it is possible to measure the speed of froth movement, the size of bubbles and the rate of their destruction. The results of the application of sedimentation, probe and ultrasonic analyzers of granulometric composition are considered. The conclusion is made about the high efficiency of the probe method for measuring the characteristics of the granulometric composition of the pulp solid phase. This method is based on repeated direct mechanical measurement of particle sizes in the pulp. The results of the development, testing and implementation of modern online ore flow control systems at the Erdenet Mining Corporation processing plant (with the participation of Russian specialists) are presented. The effects of using the GRANIX analyzer, visiometric analysis systems for the mineral composition of finely ground ore, automated control of the grinding and classifying complex using a PIK-074P flow granulometer and a VAZM-1 vibroacoustic analyzer for volumetric filling of mills of JSC Soyuztsvetmetavtomatika are shown. A new method and device integrated into the current analytical process control system were tested at the Erdenet Mining Corporation processing plant to examine the mineral composition of ore.