Measuring density in the thickening process

Mineral processing plants are using advanced control systems to optimize their operations. Instrumentation is a key part of it, since those instruments obtain real-time data on the processes to be used in control loops.

The thickening process is one of the processes which is important to control, because if this is incorrectly managed, this may lead to additional costs and have a negative effect on the profitability and sustainability of the operation.

Examples of negative effects are:

• Wasting water, due to losses to the tailings or environment
• Recirculation of already treated ore and chemicals in the process water
• Increased costs due to excessive use of chemicals
• Increased maintenance costs for upstream equipment
• Loss of valuable product

Investments in technology (e.g. measuring instruments) can directly result in better control of the thickener operation. Sensors allow operators to monitor the performances of thickeners and help them to meet water recovery and metal production requirements.

Control variables

There are different targets to optimize thickener performance:

– An underflow density target is used to ensure optimum solids content in the tailings impoundment, and optimum water reclaim for the mill
– A bed/mud level target is used to obtain optimum loading in the thickener without overloading the drive mechanism
– Bed pressure is used as an indication of solids inventory. This helps the system to determine whether a high bed level is the result of decreased settling rate or increased solids inventory
– In some cases, a drive torque target is used as an indication of acceptable underflow rheology

Conclusion

Advanced process control is key to reach stability in the operation. When instrumentation is combined with decent control strategies, the system is capable of detecting process issues in real-time and solving these before becoming problematic. Advanced process control saves time for the operator which can be spent on improving the operation, reaching a higher underflow density, and redefining the existing targets/setpoints.

Available equipment

Density measurement is usually done by radiation-based measuring devices. This technology has been used in the mineral processing industry for decades. However, nowadays governmental regulations are getting stricter and associated costs are increasing. More nuclear density meters are being replaced by alternatives.

These alternatives can do the same job, without administration costs and health and safety risks related to the nuclear source.

Slurry Density Meter (SDM ECO)

The eco-friendly 3rd-gen Rhosonics Slurry Density Meter (SDM ECO) has been introduced in 2023 and preludes a new era of non-nuclear slurry density measurements. It is known as one of the best alternatives to radiometric density meters, with over 1.000 installations worldwide.

More information?

Please contact Rhosonics if you want to learn more about density measurement in a non-nuclear way. Our team is ready to replace your nuclear density gauge.

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