Nuclear techniques for on-line measurement in the control of mineral processing

Abstract

A review is made of applications and developments of continuous on-line measurement by nuclear techniques in mineral processing. Mineral processing operations can be controlled more economically if information on process variables is obtained continuously, and much of this information can be provided by nuclear techniques. Nucleonic gauges are widely used for determining density and mass flow of mineral slurries, mass flow of ore on conveyors, and level of ore in bins. Techniques have been developed to determine particle size of ground ore in slurries but their application is at present limited. Techniques and equipment for on-stream analysis of mineral slurries have developed rapidly in the 1970s, and the simpler systems have been proved in routine use in mineral concentrators. Techniques for on-line analysis of ore and ore products on conveyors, except those for moisture content, are in the developmental stage, most progress being made for iron ore.