Flow measurement of abrasive mixtures
March 2017
Flow Measurement & Control
A leading global provider of stone and mineral processing systems manages numerous mobile plants for sand and gravel processing, where the mixture of sand slurry and water has a solid fraction of 15% by volume. Due to the highly abrasive nature of the silica content, inline flow measurement using conventional technology is unfeasible.
This has meant that, to date, flow values could only be estimated empirically, such as being deduced from the power consumption of a slurry pump in conjunction with the pipe dimensions, or by clocking the filling time of a particular vessel.
Portable ultrasonic flow measurement
Portable ultrasonic flow measurement, on the other hand, allows the flow rate to be monitored in an effective and uncomplicated manner. A major advantage is that the measurement is completely wear- and tear-free, as the transducers are mounted onto the exterior of the pipe. A single transducer pair fits pipe diameters from DN 50 to 350, the sizes most commonly used in the sand industry.
Ultrasonic flow measurement even allows for process optimisation, due to the lack of data about the actual conveyor capabilities of existing sand-extraction facilities. In addition, the simultaneous concentration measurement function means that the net conveyance of solid material can be determined instantly. All of this translates into increased productivity.
While this is a niche application, there are numerous opportunities within the minerals-processing sector for the application of PIOX S ultrasonic portable flowmeters from Flexim. Features include trouble-free installation, without interrupting the production process, which reduces downtime significantly.
In addition, measurements are quick and easy to set up. The rugged transducers used means that these flowmeters are also ideal for humid and dirty environments. “Practically no other technology allows for simultaneous facility and process optimisation,” points out Peter Jones technical sales manager, Rob Howes.
Flexim offers permanent or portable volume and mass flowmeters for liquids and gases, including the most demanding challenges. “The PIOX range measures the concentration, density and mass flow rate either non-invasively by ultrasound or via refractometry,” explains Howes.
Peter Jones is a division of Actum Industrial which encompasses industrial products, instrumentation, pneumatics and professional tooling. Together with Actum Electronics, it forms part of the larger Actum Group.
For more information contact Kevin Klaff, Actum Industrial, +27 (0)11 608 3001, [email protected], www.actum.co.za
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