Control of enrichment processes

In order for technological processes to be carried out online, appropriate control systems are needed. Their creation involves expanding the capabilities of analytical research. This applies to all stages of production. It is also necessary to significantly expand the range of analytical research methods. The table shows the available methods for monitoring TP.

Classification of control methods

The choice of ore enrichment method is influenced by the characteristics of its constituent elements — metals. First of all, we are talking about the properties of the components: electrical, magnetic, etc. The choice is also determined by the density, elasticity, radiation and hardness of the metals.


Technological process
control methods
Technological processes			Basic
Technological processes				Gravity enrichment	Magnetic	Flotation	Chem. enrichment	Physical and analytical enrichment	Electrical enrichment
Analysis methods	Ionic	+		+	+
		X-ray spectral	+	+	+	+	+	+
		X-ray radiometric	+	+	+	+	+
		Nuclear physics	+		+	+	+	+
		Radioisotope	+		+	+	+	+
		Atomic emission			+	+		+
		Atomic absorption			+	+	+
		Atomic fluorescent			+	+
		Luminescent			+	+	+
		Spectrophotometric			+	+	+
		Titrimetric			+	+
		Gravimetric	+		+
		Potentiometric	+		+	+
		Conductometric	+		+	+
		Magnetic		+
		Polarographic			+	+
		Chromatographic			+	+	+
		Combined			+	+
		X-ray diffraction	+	+	+	+		+
		Local microprobe	+	+	+	+		+
Controlled composition	Mineral	+	+	+	+		+
		Phase	+	+	+	+	+	+
		elemental	+		+	+	+
		Molecular			+

Preparatory and auxiliary technological processes


Technological process
control methods
Technological processes			Preparatory					Auxiliary
Technological processes				Splitting up	Screening	Grinding	Cleaning of drains	Preparation and regeneration of waste flotation reagents	agglomeration
Analysis methods	Ionic				+	+
		X-ray spectral			+			+
		X-ray radiometric			+			+
		Nuclear physics	+		+	+	+	+
		Radioisotope	+		+	+	+	+
		Atomic emission				+
		Atomic absorption				+
		Atomic fluorescent				+
		Luminescent			+	+
		Spectrophotometric				+	+
		Titrimetric			+	+	+
		Gravimetric	+		+	+		+
		Potentiometric				+	+
		Conductometric		+		+	+	+
		Magnetic			+	+
		Polarographic			+	+	+
		Chromatographic				+	+
		Combined			+	+	+	+
		X-ray diffraction			+
		Local microprobe	+		+
Controlled composition	Mineral	+		+
		Phase			+
		elemental	+		+	+		+
		Molecular		+	+	+	+	+

All studied methods can be divided into two groups — flotation (for studying physicochemical properties) and physical.

The last group is characterized by the following methods:

Gravitational;
Magnetic;
Radiometric;

The methods of the first group consist in analyzing the main characteristics of mineral grains under the influence of centrifugal force, drag force and gravity. First of all, we are talking about differences between elements based on factors such as shape, dimensions, density, the nature of their movement and speed.

Minerals can be divided in different environments — heavy, air, water. If we are talking about the gravitational process, then this phenomenon occurs here:

Suspension separators contain heavy media;
On concentration tables and sluices there is a flow of water along inclined planes;
In jigging there is a vertically pulsating water or air medium;
In equipment operating using the centrifugal separation method (separators and concentrators) there is a centrifugal field.

The methods are suitable if you need to enrich valuable and noble ores. Also suitable for coarsely disseminated metals, including non-ferrous ones.

If you need to find out how the radioactivity of an ore changes, that is, to study the properties of minerals and calculate the strength of their radiation, then the appropriate methods are used — radiometric.

The use of magnetic (electromagnetic) methods is indicated if there is a need to study how the magnetic susceptibility of different minerals is characterized and how they move in a magnetic field. They are suitable if you need to enrich manganese and iron ores, as well as during finishing of gravity enrichment products.

Electrical methods are used at the finishing stage. They may be applicable to study the following products:

Tungsten;
Tin;
Gravitational (if they contain zircon, rutile, ilmenite).

The methods are based on studying differences in the ability of minerals to conduct current. Their movement along a certain trajectory depends on this factor, as well as on the strength of the charge.

As for the flotation method, it is needed if there is a need to study the physicochemical properties of the components, namely the adjacency of their particles to the interface between two phases (liquid or gaseous). With their help, it is possible to change the wettability of mineral surfaces. There are hydrophobic and hydrophilic varieties of minerals. The former are characterized by poor surface wettability . The result is the formation of mineral foam and the adhesion of particles to the bubbles. Hydrophilic ones, on the contrary, are well wetted. There is no contact with air bubbles.