Determination of the viscosity of ore pulp using a piezoelectric transducer

Purpose. Justification of a method for the rapid determination of ore pulp viscosity based on measurements of the parameters of a piezoelectric transducer immersed in a controlled environment. Methodology. The following methods were used in the work: analysis of scientific and practical solutions, computer modeling methods for the synthesis and analysis of mathematical models, and statistical methods for processing the results of experimental studies. Findings. As the pulp moves along the screen belt, it gradually dehydrates, i.e., the concentration of its solid phase increases. The dynamic viscosity of the pulp depends on the concentration, size, and shape of the crushed ore particles and their interaction with each other. A computer model was studied that simulates a Butterworth-Van Dyke ultrasonic piezoelectric transducer, the active part of which is loaded with ore pulp. A quantitative assessment of the characteristic features of the influence of ore pulp viscosity on the spectral and impedance characteristics of the piezoelectric transducer was obtained. An experimental test of the proposed method for measuring the viscosity of ore pulp was performed. The signal corresponding to the characteristics of the amplitude-frequency response of the transducer was used as the measured parameter. A dependency was obtained that reflects the results of viscosity measurements of ore pulp using a laboratory viscometer and the studied system in relative units. The conformity statistics for the formed parametric models confirm the effectiveness of the proposed measurement method. Originality. A method for determining the viscosity of ore slurry, which differs from known methods in that it measures the frequency of the peak value of the real component of the impedance of a piezoelectric transducer immersed in the test medium. Practical value. The results of modeling and experimental testing of the proposed method for rapid determination of ore pulp viscosity indicate its promising practical application for adjusting technological equipment and forming automated control of the fine wet ore screening process.