Title

ON-LINE ANALYSIS FOR PROCESS MONITORING AND CONTROL AND AT IRON ORE CONCENTRATORS

ON-LINE ANALYSIS FOR PROCESS MONITORING AND CONTROL AND AT IRON ORE CONCENTRATORS

Authorship

Kongas, Matti Juhani; Saloheimo, Kari Matti

Kongas, Matti Juhani

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Saloheimo, Kari Matti

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DOI

10.5151/2594-357X-23969

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Abstract

This paper presents the art of on-stream particle size and elemental analysis at iron ore concentrators, followed by the results and experiences from some sites. On-line particle size analysis is rather common at medium to large sized concentrators. On- line XRF elemental analysis, however, a routine practice in base metal concentrators, is only used in some iron ore concentrators. This analysis is applicable for process monitoring and control down to the 4-5% silica level by measuring Fe assays accurately. With lower silica content, direct measurement of silica and other light elements is required. Some light element analyzers based on prompt gamma neutron activation (PGNAA) method have been developed, but they have not performed up to expectations. Other methods have been tried but none has been used beyond prototype installations. Operating on-line light element slurry analyzer installations are very rare in iron ore applications. There is an economic incentive to mine lower and variable grade iron ore resources, which require concentration and removal of several impurities to produce high quality concentrates for pellet production. Monitoring such operations by on-stream analysis has significant economic benefits and there is a need to develop a practical slurry on-line analyzer for Si, Al, Mg and other light elements. The latest developments in slurry on-stream light element analysis are described.

This paper presents the art of on-stream particle size and elemental analysis at iron ore concentrators, followed by the results and experiences from some sites. On-line particle size analysis is rather common at medium to large sized concentrators. On- line XRF elemental analysis, however, a routine practice in base metal concentrators, is only used in some iron ore concentrators. This analysis is applicable for process monitoring and control down to the 4-5% silica level by measuring Fe assays accurately. With lower silica content, direct measurement of silica and other light elements is required. Some light element analyzers based on prompt gamma neutron activation (PGNAA) method have been developed, but they have not performed up to expectations. Other methods have been tried but none has been used beyond prototype installations. Operating on-line light element slurry analyzer installations are very rare in iron ore applications. There is an economic incentive to mine lower and variable grade iron ore resources, which require concentration and removal of several impurities to produce high quality concentrates for pellet production. Monitoring such operations by on-stream analysis has significant economic benefits and there is a need to develop a practical slurry on-line analyzer for Si, Al, Mg and other light elements. The latest developments in slurry on-stream light element analysis are described.

Keywords

On-line slurry analysis; Particle size measurement; XRF analysis; Light element.

On-line slurry analysis; Particle size measurement; XRF analysis; Light element.