Assessment of the reliability of technological processes at enrichment plants taking into account their automation

Introduction. In order to ensure high productivity, reduce material and financial costs, and improve the level of safety at enrichment plants, it is necessary to conduct a timely assessment of the reliability of technological processes, predict equipment failures leading to process shutdowns, and implement preventive measures. Purpose of research. The aim of the study is to assess the reliability of technological processes ofмbeneficiation plants taking into account automatic reserve switching systems using the «fault tree» method using the example of crushing, grinding, flotation and drying processes. Materials and methods of research. Various approaches and methods are used to assess the reliability of mineral enrichment processes. In this study, the logical-graphical method of the «fault tree» was used to assess reliability. The probabilities of failures or undesirable events were determined using an approach based on the application of the technical utilization factor using exponential time distribution. Results and discussion. In the study, the reliability of technological processes of enrichment plants was assessed for crushing, grinding, flotation and drying processes, taking into account their equipment with automated and automatic control and monitoring systems. For the studied enrichment processes of minerals, «fault trees» were constructed, on the basis of which the probabilities of failures were calculated using the technical utilization coefficient. As an example, the reliability parameters of crushing and drying process equipment are given. The paper presents the results of calculations of the probabilities of stopping the crushing, grinding, flotation and drying processes with and without an automatic reserve system. Using the example of the crushing process, it is shown that the absence of an automatic reserve system leads to a monthly stoppage of the technological process. Thus, the results of the study indicate a significant reduction in the probability of failures – stoppages of the technological process of beneficiation plants with a reserve system. Conclusions. A comprehensive assessment of the reliability of automated technological enrichment processes is proposed, based on the construction of «failure trees» and the application of a method for calculating the probabilities of failures or undesirable events using the coefficient of technical utilization. A significant impact of the presence of an automatic reserve system on the level of reliability has been established, the absence of such a system can increase the likelihood of stopping enrichment processes up to 20 times.