GET IT RIGHT! A QUICK GUIDE TO THE BEST … QUICK GUIDE TO THE BEST ANALYZER FOR YOUR APPLICATION...
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Outotec SEAP Customer eNewsletter 2/2016 7 GET IT RIGHT! A QUICK GUIDE TO THE BEST ANALYZER FOR YOUR APPLICATION Nowadays, many mine sites use analyzers to replace the time-consuming and labor-intensive laboratory methods for routine process control assays. Analyzers are increas- ingly a critical component in the effective operation of plants. One of the the primary uses of on-stream slurry analyzers is in flotation control. Outotec’s Courier analyzer family, for example, can measure elemental content in each stream of the flotation process. Typically the target in flotation control is to maximize recovery by minimizing metal content in the final tailings stream. Also, the metal content in the final concentrate stream need to be measured and controlled in order to exceed a smelter’s minimum requirements. In some applications, the amount of impurity elements in final concentrate needs to be minimized too. The Courier analyzers range includes Courier 5X SL, Courier 6X SL and Courier 8 SL. It cannot be emphasized enough how essential it is to choose the most suitable analyzer, and this is wholly dependent on your application and primary process control goal. Your analyzer options The Courier 5X SL and 6X SL analyzers are based on the X-ray fluorescence (XRF) measurement principle. The analyzer excites the sample in the flow-cell by X-rays generated in a high-intensity X-ray tube. Atoms in the sample react by emitting fluorescence radiation, characteristic of each individual element in the sample. The Courier 5X SL and 6X SL analyzers use high-resolu- tion wavelength-dispersive (WDXRF) analyzer technology for critical assays. Complementary energy-dispersive (EDXRF) technology can be used to increase the number of elements analyzed to 12 assays per stream. 1. Courier 5X SL The Outotec Courier 5X SL is designed for accurate and reliable on-line X-ray fluorescence (XRF) measurement of element concentrations in slurries for up to 12 sample streams at normal concentration levels. Having a lower power 35W X-ray tube than the Outotec Courier 6X (200W), it can use smaller power supplies and a Peltier cooling system. 2. Courier 6X SL The Outotec Courier 6X SL is equipped with a high-power 200W X-ray tube. The high analysis performance of Courier 6X SL enables real-time assaying of a maximum of 24 slurry process streams. It offers unrivalled sensitivity and short cycle times for process management, monitoring, and control in all types of mineral processing plants. The importance of the high-power X-ray tube is emphasized in precious metals applications, where direct measurement of gold and silver is required in low concentrations. In a slurry, fluorescent X-rays from light elements are attenuated strongly. This makes on-line analysis of elements lighter than calcium impractical. However, in some applications, measurement of light elements such as silicon, carbon, or sulfur is beneficial.
Transcript of GET IT RIGHT! A QUICK GUIDE TO THE BEST … QUICK GUIDE TO THE BEST ANALYZER FOR YOUR APPLICATION...
Outotec SEAP Customer eNewsletter 2/2016 7
GET IT RIGHT! A QUICK GUIDE TO THE BEST ANALYZER FOR YOUR APPLICATIONNowadays, many mine sites use analyzers to replace the time-consuming and labor-intensive laboratory methods for routine process control assays. Analyzers are increas-ingly a critical component in the effective operation of plants. One of the the primary uses of on-stream slurry analyzers is in flotation control. Outotec’s Courier analyzer family, for example, can measure elemental content in each stream of the flotation process.
Typically the target in flotation control is to maximize recovery by minimizing metal content in the final tailings stream. Also, the metal content in the final concentrate stream need to be measured and controlled in order to exceed a smelter’s minimum requirements. In some applications, the amount of impurity elements in final concentrate needs to be minimized too.
The Courier analyzers range includes Courier 5X SL, Courier 6X SL and Courier 8 SL. It cannot be emphasized enough how essential it is to choose the most suitable analyzer, and this is wholly dependent on your application and primary process control goal.
Your analyzer optionsThe Courier 5X SL and 6X SL analyzers are based on the X-ray fluorescence (XRF) measurement principle. The analyzer excites the sample in the flow-cell by X-rays generated in a high-intensity X-ray tube. Atoms in the sample react by emitting fluorescence radiation, characteristic of each individual element in the sample.
The Courier 5X SL and 6X SL analyzers use high-resolu-tion wavelength-dispersive (WDXRF) analyzer technology for critical assays. Complementary energy-dispersive (EDXRF) technology can be used to increase the number of elements analyzed to 12 assays per stream.
1. Courier 5X SLThe Outotec Courier 5X SL is designed for accurate and reliable on-line X-ray fluorescence (XRF) measurement of element concentrations in slurries for up to 12 sample streams at normal concentration levels. Having a lower power 35W X-ray tube than the Outotec Courier 6X (200W), it can use smaller power supplies and a Peltier cooling system.
2. Courier 6X SLThe Outotec Courier 6X SL is equipped with a high-power 200W X-ray tube. The high analysis performance of Courier 6X SL enables real-time assaying of a maximum of 24 slurry process streams. It offers unrivalled sensitivity and short cycle times for process management, monitoring, and control in all types of mineral processing plants. The importance of the high-power X-ray tube is emphasized in precious metals applications, where direct measurement of gold and silver is required in low concentrations.
In a slurry, fluorescent X-rays from light elements are attenuated strongly. This makes on-line analysis of elements lighter than calcium impractical. However, in some applications, measurement of light elements such as silicon, carbon, or sulfur is beneficial.
Outotec SEAP Customer eNewsletter 2/2016 8
3. Courier 8 SL When the measurement of light elements in slurry is required, the Courier 8 SL is the answer – an on-stream analyzer based on the laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) measurement principle. It is capable of measuring all elements starting from lithium (Li). Although the Courier 8 SL can be used to measure heavier elements such as iron (Fe) and copper (Cu), it will not be as accurate as XRF-based analyzers like the Courier 5X SL and 6X SL. Obviously, it is critical to know upfront exactly what you need to measure in your process and decide which elements are the most critical.
Since the Courier 8 SL is able to measure sulphur directly, it is an extremely useful tool for sulphide flotation control, for example, in gold applications. So, different horses for different courses …
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Courier 5X SL Courier 6X SL Courier 8 SL
Source X-ray tube (35 W) W-ray tube (200 W) Laser
Detector WDXRF / EDXRF WDXRF / EDXRF LIBS
Elements Ca and heavier Ca and heavier Li and heavier
Measurement time 30 – 120 s 15 – 60 s 60 – 300 s
Sensitivity 0.01 % 0.003 % 0.05 %
Samples Up to 12 Up to 24 Up to 12
Typical applications
Base metals, iron ore, rare earths
Base metals, iron ore, rare earths, precious metals, PGMs
Iron ore, phosphates, Ni concentrators with Mg/Si impurities, sulphide (gold), calcium carbonate, coal
