In-line mineral quantifier test rig completed

January 2005 Analytical Instrumentation & Environmental Monitoring

Blue Cube Systems has successfully completed an instrumentation project at its pilot plant in Stellenbosch. The project was initiated to provide live in-line demonstrations to potential customers on the suitability of the Blue Cube Systems MMMC (minute-by-minute mineral composition) technology on different ores. A high tension roll separator was equipped with sensors to register all important operational parameters including the ore feed temperature, the rate of ore feed, speed of the separation roll, and high voltage level. All signals are collected in a PIC microprocessor and transferred to a PC-based scada system. A Blue Cube MQi in-line mineral quantifier was mounted in the non-conductor product stream. The direct LCD display on the MQi is converted to 4-20 mA output signals linked to the same scada system.

After calibration, the unit can define the best operational settings for optimum grade and recovery of a specific ore within a few hours.

The rig has been tested on a heavy minerals ore containing zircon, rutile, ilmenite, leucoxene and small quantities of minor components. After calibration, the feed was circulated with the high voltage supply off. The non-conductor product grade, then representing 100% of the feed, was logged on the scada as per Figure 1 demonstrating the stability of the MQi over a 20-minute period. Thereafter various operational parameters were adjusted and the impact on grade was logged. Figure 2 shows the result of a change to the kV setting. The change in product quality is fully visible within 30 seconds. Figure 3 shows similarly how the effect of a change to the speed of the separation roll is apparent within 30 seconds. The test rig surpassed all expectations.

The data capturing system was designed and built by Gentronics of Cape Town. Scada software was developed by Blue Cube Systems.

The Blue Cube Systems MMMC technology has already been successfully tested on heavy mineral ores containing rutile, ilmenite, and zircon as well as on ores containing chromite, fluorspar, platinum converter slags and pyroxenites.

For more information contact Blue Cube Systems, 021 886 7134, helani@bluecube.co.za, www.bluecube.co.za

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