Development of an information base for controlling the process of deposition of solid phase particles of ore pulp in the thickener

V. Morkun, N. Morkun, V. Tron, O. Serdyuk, A. Gaponenko, I. Gaponenko
Received 12.06.2021, Revised 13.10.2021, Accepted 19.11.2021, Published 17.12.2021
Abstract

To develop methods of ultrasonic measurements of the characteristics of the process of deposition of solid phase particles of the pulp and evaluate the possibility of their use in the system of thickener automatic control to increase its efficiency. To quantify mineral products, the indicator of distribution of mineral particles by fractions with different physical properties as well as the indicator of distribution of useful components were used. These indicators allow for quantitative evaluation of ore material. Separation characteristics are used to quantify the efficiency of technological devices. The proposed method of forming control of the thickening process is based on estimating the change in pulp density and particle size distribution of its solid phase in the initial stage of deposition in the thickener, which allows to predict the characteristics of the thickened product and thus take into account the high inertia of the system. For this purpose, the characteristics of ultrasonic waves that have passed through the controlled volume of the pulp, which is deposited in the thickener, are measured. The defined parameters allow to maintain the productivity of the deslamination process in accordance with the characteristics of the ore suspension by minimizing the loss of useful component. Due to the receipt of operational information on the characteristics of the process of deposition of solid phase particles of ore suspension already at its initial stage it is possible to reduce the duration of transients in the automatic control system. Determination at the initial stage of the process of deposition of crushed ore particles in the thickener such indicators as the dynamics of changes in pulp density and particle size distribution of its solid phase allows to take into account fluctuations in process flow parameters. This is achieved both by adjusting the amount of flocculant and the pumping speed of the product. The system of automatic control based on the received information and modern software and hardware allows to overcome the slow dynamics of response to control influences and cross-influences of controlled variables. In order to achieve optimal indicators of thickening processes, the control systems of these processes should be formed as modules of the hierarchical structure of management of the whole technological process of ore beneficiation. The proposed approach allows take into account the nature of the distribution of solid phase particles of ore material in the thickener by size, to establish the characteristics of the source product of the thickener. In accordance with the parameters of the process of deposition of ore particles and thereby reduce the loss of useful component by 0.6-0.7%.

Keywords:
thickener; ultrasound; automatic control; modeling; iron ore; pulp

Retrieved from Vol. 19, No. 2, 2021

Pages 53–57

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Morkun, V., Morkun, N., Tron, V., Serdyuk, O., Gaponenko, A., & Gaponenko, I. (2021). Development of an information base for controlling the process of deposition of solid phase particles of ore pulp in the thickener. Journal of Kryvyi Rih National University, 19(2), 53-57. https://doi.org/10.31721/2306-5451-2021-1-53-53-57
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