Field of the invention

The invention relates to an apparatus for analyzing a process slurry flow sample as defined in the preamble of independent claim 1.

The invention relates also to a method for analyzing a process slurry flow sample as defined in the preamble of independent claim 24.

Presented is also a slurry analyzing arrangement comprising a plurality of apparatuses for analyzing a process slurry flow sample as defined in claim 23.

On-line analysis of process slurry flows such as of mineral slurry flows requires that a representative slurry flow sample is available for analyzing. This can be achieved by flow cells, where the slurry flow sample is led through a chamber with a side window forming a part of a wall structure of the flow cell, and the analyzing is performed through the side window forming said part of the wall structure of the flow cell. Typically, the slurry flow sample in the flow cell is vertical, which improves the representativeness of the slurry flow sample.

Objective of the invention

The object of the invention is to provide an improved apparatus and an improved method for analyzing a process slurry flow sample .

Short description of the invention

The apparatus for analyzing a process slurry flow sample is characterized by the definitions of independent claim 1.

Preferred embodiments of the apparatus are defined in the dependent claims 2 to 22.

The method for analyzing a process slurry flow sample is correspondingly characterized by the definitions of independent claim 24.

Preferred embodiments of the method are defined in the dependent claims 24 to 39.

Presented is also a slurry analyzing arrangement comprising a plurality of apparatuses for analyzing a process slurry flow sample as defined in 23.

List of figures

In the following the invention will described in more detail by referring to the figures, of which

Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of an apparatus for analyzing a process slurry flow sample,

Figure 2 shows a second embodiment of an apparatus for analyzing a process slurry flow sample, Figure 3 shows a third embodiment of an apparatus for analyzing a process slurry flow sample,

Figure 4 shows a fourth embodiment of an apparatus for analyzing a process slurry flow sample,

Figure 5 shows a fifth embodiment of an apparatus for analyzing a process slurry flow sample,

Figure 6 shows a sixth embodiment of an apparatus for analyzing a process slurry flow sample, and

Figure 7 shows a slurry analyzing arrangement comprising a plurality of apparatuses for analyzing a process slurry flow sample.

Detailed description of the invention

First the apparatus 1 for analyzing a process slurry flow sample 2 such as mineral flotation slurry sample and some embodiments and variants of the apparatus will be describe in greater detail.

The apparatus comprises a flow space 3 limited by a wall structure 4, by an inlet tube 5 having a first central axis A and configured to feed process slurry flow sample 2 into the flow space 3, and by anoutlet tube 6 having a second central axis B and configured to feed process slurry flow sample 2 out of the flow space 3. The inlet tube 5 and the outlet tube 6 has preferably, but not necessarily, a circular cross-section.

The inlet tube 5 is provided at an inlet end 7 of the flow space 3.

The flow space 3 has a collision end 8 at the opposite end of the flow space 3 with respect to the inlet end 7.

The collision end 8 is configured to be hit by process slurry flow sample 2 that the inlet tube 5 is configured to feed into the flow space 3 so as to create a turbulent section 9 in process slurry flow sample 2 in the flow space 3.

The outlet tube 6 is provided in the wall structure 4 at a distance C from the collision end

8.

The angle (not marked with a reference numeral or sign) between the first central axis A of the inlet tube 5 and the second central axis B of the outlet tube 6 is between 30 and 120°, preferably between 80 and 100°, most preferable about 90°.

The apparatus comprises a measurement probe 10 in the flow space 3.

The measurement probe 10 is configured to analyze the process slurry flow sample 2 by analyzing the turbulent section 9 of the process slurry flow sample 2.

The apparatus provides for good representativeness of the process slurry flow sample because of the formation of the turbulent section in the process slurry flow sample. This means for example that the apparatus removes classification such as laminar flow parts present in the process slurry flow sample by creating a turbulent section and by analyzing the turbulent section, a good representative analysis of the process slurry flow sample results. Because of the formation of the turbulent section in the process slurry flow sample, the apparatus can be used for analyzing both horizontal flow, which can have classification problems, and for analyzing vertical flows.

In the apparatus 1 presented in figures 1, 3, 5 and 6, the measurement probe 10 is arranged at least partly between the collision end 8 and the outlet tube 6 in the flow space 3.

In the apparatus 1 presented in figure 1, 2, 3, 5, and 6, the measurement probe 10 extends from the wall structure 14 into the flow space 3.

In the apparatus 1 presented in figure 4, the measurement probe 10 extends from the outlet tube 6 into the flow space 3.

The measurement probe 10 comprises preferably, but not necessarily, a tube means 11 limiting a tube space 12, a window 13 at a free end 14 of the tube means 11, wherein the window 13 closing the free end 14 of the tube means 11, an electromagnetic radiation source 15 in the tube space 12, wherein the electromagnetic radiation source 15 being configured to emit electromagnetic radiation 16 through the window 13, and an electromagnetic radiation detecting means 17 configured to receive scattered electromagnetic radiation 18 scattered from the process slurry flow sample 2 through the window 13.

If the apparatus comprises a measure probe 10 as described, the electromagnetic radiation source 15 is preferably, but not necessarily, configured to emit electromagnetic radiation 16 having a wave length between 150 and 2500 nm. The electromagnetic radiation source 15 can be a lamp or a laser.

If the apparatus comprises a measure probe 10 as described, the tube means 11 is preferably, but not necessarily, made at least partly of at least one of metal, polymer, or ceramic to improve wear resistance of the tube means 11.

If the apparatus comprises a measure probe 10 as described, the window 13 is preferably, but not necessarily, made of sapphire glass or hardened glass and/or comprises a coating to improve wear resistance of the window 13.

If the apparatus comprises a measure probe 10 as described, the electromagnetic radiation detecting means 17 can comprise an optical fiber 22 in the tube means 11, said optical fiber 22 being configured to lead scattered electromagnetic radiation 18 to an optical analyzing means such as to an optical spectrometer. Alternatively, an optical analyzing means such as an optical spectrometer can be provided in the tube space 12.

If the apparatus comprises a measure probe 10 as described, an imaginary extension (not shown in the figures) of the outlet tube 6 cuts preferably, but not necessarily, the free end 14 of the tube means 11 of the measurement probe 10. An advantage of this is that the free end 14 with the window 13 is at the outlet, which means for example that the process slurry flow sample exiting the flow space 3 flushes the window 13.

If the apparatus comprises a measure probe 10 as described, the tube means 11 of the measurement probe 10 extends preferably, but not necessarily, from the wall structure 14 into the flow space 3 so that the free end 14 of the tube means 11 is in the flow space 3 at a distance from the wall structure 14 and so that the window 13 of the measurement probe 10 is in the flow space 3 at a distance from the wall structure 14. An advantage of this is that this enables better positioning of the window 13 into the turbulent section 9 of the process slurry flow sample 2.

In the apparatuses 1 shown in figures 1, 2, 3, and 4, the wall structure 4 has a wall 19 at the inlet end 7.

In the apparatuses 1 shown in figures 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, the wall structure 4 has a planar collision wall 20 at the collision end 8, and the collision wall 20 extends perpendicularly to the first central axis A of the inlet tube 5. A planar collision wall 20 arranged in such manner provides for especially good turbulence in the process slurry flow sample 2 in the flow space 3.

If the apparatus 1 has a planar collision wall 20 and a measurement probe 10 of any embodiment described having a free end 14 and a window 13 closing the free end 14, the measurement probe 10 extends preferably from the planar collision wall 20 into the flow space 3 for a distance D, which is longer than the distance C between the outlet tube 6 and the collision end 8, as illustrated in figure 1. An advantage of this is that the free end 14 with the window 13 of the tube means 11 of the measurement probe 10 is above the outlet tube and the window 13 of the measurement probe 10 is therefore flushed by the process slurry flow sample exiting the flow space 3 and kept clean.

If the wall structure 4 of the apparatus 1 has both wall 19 and a collision wall 20, as presented, the wall structure 4 has preferably, but not necessarily, a circumferential wall 21 between the wall 19 at the inlet end 7 and the collision wall 20 at the collision end 8.

If the wall structure 4 has a circumferential wall 21 as presented, the cross-section of the flow space 3 is preferably, but not necessarily, except at the inlet tube 5, the outlet tube 6, and measurement probe 10, the same between the wall 19 and the collision wall 20. The cross section can for example have the form of a circle, a square, a square with rounded edges, a rectangle, or a rectangle with rounded edges. The distance between the wall 19 and the collision wall 20 is preferably, but not necessarily, 200 to 400 % of the width of the flow space 3. The width of the flow space 3 depends on the shape of the cross section of the flow space 3 and can for example be the diameter of the flow space 3 or a distance between opposing walls.

If the wall structure 4 of the apparatus 1 has both wall 19 and a collision wall 20, as presented, the cross-section of the flow space 3 can alternatively vary, such as enlarge towards the collision wall 20, between the wall 19 and the collision wall 20.

If the wall structure 4 has a circumferential wall 21 as presented, the measurement probe

10 can extend from the circumferential wall 21 into the flow space 3.

The largest cross section area of the flow space 3 of the apparatus 1 is preferably, but not necessarily, 150 to 350 % of the cross section area of the inlet tube 5 to provide enough space in the flow space for turbulence in the process slurry flow sample 2.

The inlet tube 5 extends preferably, but not necessarily, into a section of the flow space 3 limited by the wall structure 4. This improves wear resistance.

The outlet tube 6 extends preferably, but not necessarily, into a section of the flow space 3 limited by the wall structure 4. This improves wear resistance.

Next the slurry analyzing arrangement comprising a plurality of apparatuses 1 according to any embodiment as described herein will be describe in greater detail.

In the slurry analyzing arrangement the inlet tube 5 of each apparatus 1 is in fluid communication with a primary sampling means 23 such as with a pressure pipe sampler or with a gravity flow sampler and configured to receive a sample flow that is cut from a process flow 24.

In the slurry analyzing arrangement the outlet tube 6 of each apparatus 1 is configured to be selectively in fluid communication with an analyzer 25, e.g. a X-ray fluorescence elemental analyzer, configured to further analyze the process slurry low sample or with a return duct 26.

Next the method for analyzing a process slurry flow sample 2 such as a mineral flotation slurry sample and some embodiments and variants of the method will be described in greater detail.

The method comprises providing an apparatus 1 having a flow space 3 limited by a wall structure 4, by an inlet tube 5 having a first central axis A and configured to feed process slurry flow sample 2 into the flow space 3, and by an outlet tube 6 having a second central axis B and configured to feed process slurry flow sample 2 out of the flow space 3.

The inlet tube 5 in the apparatus 1 that provided is provided at an inlet end 7 of the flow space 3.

The flow space 3 in the apparatus 1 that provided has a collision end 8 at the opposite end of the flow space 3 with respect to the inlet end 7 and configured to be hit by process slurry flow sample 2 that the inlet tube 5 is configured to feed into the flow space 3 so as to create a turbulent section 9 in process slurry flow sample 2 in the flow space 3.

The outlet tube 6 in the apparatus 1 that provided is provided in the wall structure 4 at a distance C from the collision end 8.

The angle between the first central axis A of the inlet tube 5 and the second central axis B of the outlet tube 6 in the apparatus 1 that provided is between 30 and 120°, preferably between 80 and 100°, most preferably about 90°.

The method comprises providing a measurement probe 10 and arranging the measurement probe 10 in the flow space 3.

The method comprises feeding process slurry flow sample 2 with the inlet tube 5 into the flow space 3 so that the process slurry flow sample 2 hits the collision end 8 and causes a turbulent section 9 in the process slurry flow sample 2 in the flow space 3.

The method comprises feeding process slurry flow sample 2 with the outlet tube 6 from the flow space 3.

The method comprises analyzing the process slurry flow sample 2 by analyzing the turbulent section 9 of the process slurry flow sample 2.

The method provided for good representativeness of the process slurry flow sample because of the formation of the turbulent section in the process slurry flow sample. This means for example that the method removes classification such as laminar parts present in the process slurry flow sample by creating a turbulent section and by analyzing the turbulent section, a good representative analysis of the process slurry flow sample results. Because of the formation of the turbulent section in the process slurry flow sample, the method can be used for analyzing both horizontal flow, which can have classification problems, and vertical flows.

The method can include arranging the measurement probe 10 at least partly between the collision end 8 and the outlet tube 6 in the flow space 3, as is shown in figures 1, 3, 5, and 6.

The method can include arranging the measurement probe 10 to extend from the wall structure 14 into the flow space 3, as is shown in figures 1, 2, 3, 5, and 6.

The method can include arranging the measurement probe 10 to extend from the outlet tube 6 into the flow space 3, as is shown in figure 4.

The measurement probe 10 that is provided comprises preferably, but not necessarily, a tube means 11 limiting a tube space 12, a window 13 at a free end 14 of the tube means 11, wherein the window 13 closing the free end 14 of the tube means 11, an electromagnetic radiation source 15 in the tube space 12, wherein the electromagnetic radiation source 15 being configured to emit electromagnetic radiation 16 through the window 13, and an electromagnetic radiation detecting means 17 configured to receive scattered electromagnetic radiation 18 scattered from the process slurry flow sample 2 through the window 13.

If in the method a measurement probe 10 as described is provided, the method comprises preferably, but not necessarily, emitting electromagnetic radiation 16 having a wave length between 150 and 2500 nm with the electromagnetic radiation source 15. The electromagnetic radiation source 15 can be a lamp or a laser.

If in the method a measurement probe 10 as described is provided, the tube means 11 of the measurement probe 10 that is provided is preferably, but not necessarily, made at least partly of at least one of metal, polymer or ceramic to improve wear resistance.

If in the method a measurement probe 10 as described is provided, the window 13 of the measurement probe 10 that is provided is preferably, but not necessarily, made sapphire glass or hardened glass and/or comprises a coating to improve wear resistance.

If in the method a measurement probe 10 as described is provided, the electromagnetic radiation detecting means 17 of the measurement probe 10 that is provided can comprise an optical fiber 22 in the tube means 11, said optical fiber 22 being configured to lead scattered electromagnetic radiation 18 to an optical analyzing means, wherein the method comprises leading scattered electromagnetic radiation 18 from the electromagnetic radiation detecting means 17 to the optical analyzing means. Alternatively, an optical analyzing means such as an optical spectrometer can be provided in the tube means 11.

If in the method a measurement probe 10 as described is provided, the method comprises preferably, but not necessarily, arranging the measurement probe 10 in the flow space so that an imaginary extension of the outlet tube 6 cutting the free end 14 of the tube means 11 of the measurement probe 10. An advantage of this is that the free end 14 with the window 13 is at the outlet, which means for example that the process slurry flow sample flushes the window 13.

If in the method a measurement probe 10 as described is provided, the method comprises preferably, but not necessarily, arranging the measurement probe 10 in the flow space 2 so that the tube means 11 of the measurement probe 10 extends from the wall structure 14 into the flow space 3 so that the free end 14 of the tube means 11 is in the flow space 3 at a distance from the wall structure 14 and so that the window 13 of the measurement probe 10 is in the flow space 3 at a distance from the wall structure 14. An advantage of this is that this enables better positioning of the window 13 into turbulent section 9 of the process slurry flow sample 2.

The method can comprise providing an apparatus 1 having a wall structure 4 having a wall 19 at the inlet end 7.

The method can comprise providing an apparatus 1 having a wall structure 4 having a planar collision wall 20 at the collision end 8 so that the collision wall 20 extends perpendicularly to the first central axis A of the inlet tube 5.

If method comprises providing an apparatus 1 having a wall structure 4 having both a planar collision wall 20 and a measurement probe 10 of any embodiment described having a free end 14 and a window 13 closing the free end 14, method comprises preferably arranging the measurement probe 10 to extend from the planar collision wall 20 into the flow space 3 for a distance D, which is longer than the distance C between the outlet tube 6 and the collision end 8, as illustrated in figure 1. An advantage of this is that the free end 14 with the window 13 of the tube means 11 of the measurement probe 10 is above the outlet tube and the window 13 of the measurement probe 10 is therefore flushed by the process slurry flow sample and kept clean.

If method comprises providing an apparatus 1 having a wall structure 4 having both a wall 19 and planar collision wall 20, the wall structure 4 of the apparatus 1 that is provided has preferably, but not necessarily, additionally a circumferential wall 21 between the wall 19 at the inlet end 7 and the collision wall 20 at the collision end 8. The cross-section of the flow space 3 of the apparatus 1 that is provided can, except at the inlet tube 5, the outlet tube 6, and measurement probe 10, be same between the wall 19 and the collision wall 20. The cross section can for example have the form of a circle, a square, a square with rounded edges, a rectangle, or a rectangle with rounded edges. In such case, the distance between the wall 19 and the collision wall 20 is preferably 200 to 400 % of the width of the flow space 3 in the apparatus 1 that is provided. The width of the flow space 3 depends on the shape of the cross section of the flow space 3 and can for example be the diameter of the flow space 3 or a distance between opposing walls.

If the wall structure 4 of the apparatus 1 has both wall 19 and a collision wall 20, as presented, the cross-section of the flow space 3 of the apparatus 1 that is provided can alternatively vary, such a enlarge towards the collision wall 20, between the wall 19 and the collision wall 20.

If the wall structure 4 has a circumferential wall 21 as presented, the measurement probe 10 can be arranged extend from the circumferential wall 21 into the flow space 3.

The largest cross section area of the flow space 3 of the apparatus 1 that is provided is preferably, but not necessarily, 150 to 350 % of the cross section area of the inlet tube 5.

The inlet tube 5 of the apparatus 1 that is provided extends preferably, but not necessarily, into a section of the flow space 3 limited by the wall structure 4. This improves wear resistance.

The outlet tube 6 of the apparatus 1 that is provided extends preferably, but not necessarily, into a section of the flow space 3 limited by the wall structure 4. This improves wear resistance.

It is apparent to a person skilled in the art that as technology advanced, the basic idea of the invention can be implemented in various ways. The invention and its embodiments are therefore not restricted to the above examples, but they may vary within the scope of the claims.