Chemical Separation of Minerals
In copper and other types of mining, there are chemical processes that strip out the unwanted material and reduce the mined material down to the desired elements. Often these processes involve mixing the mined material with liquid chemicals or water. The materials are then separated, and the desired material is sent via liquid transport through a pipeline. A major part of the mining process involves the control of the % solids within the pipelines. It is a difficult measurement as most technologies involve a device that is intrusive to the pipe and subject to abrasion and mechanical damage.
Measuring Percent Solids with a Density Gauge
An Ohmart/VEGA DSG density gauge reliably measures % solids in a pipeline. The gauge and a radiation source are mounted around a vertical pipe via clamp-on brackets. The device is completely non-contact and external to the pipe removing the issue of abrasion or wear. In addition, there are no moving parts to the system, eliminating the issue of mechanical damage or corrosion problems. By using radiation to detect the specific gravity of the slurry in the pipeline, the gauge is able to accurately report % solids in the pipe.
