Optimass Coriolis meter provides a non-contact density solution on the tailings thickener underflow line of an Australian coal producer.
One of Australia’s largest and most established open cut coal mines is located in central Queensland. The adjacent coal handling and preparation plant has a production capacity exceeding 10 million tonnes per annum of coking coal, and, at current rates of production, reserves that can support the operation for another 50 years. Reliable thickener underflow density measurement allows this facility to optimise its tailings disposal to recover water, minimise tailings impoundment areas and comply with regulatory requirements.
Radiometric density measurement has traditionally been employed on thickener underflow lines as it provides a non-contact solution to the highly abrasive environment present in minerals processing. However, the high total cost and regulatory requirements of owning these radiometric devices is becoming prohibitive in a competitive, cost intensive production environment. Aside from the initial purchase price, licencing, transportation of nuclear source, documentation and administrative controls, the radiometric devices require ongoing training of on-site radiation safety officers who can perform calibration, wipe tests and ensure regulatory compliance.
Successfully applying non-radiometric density monitoring to the underflow line to give the engineers and operators the plant information needed to optimise the thickener therefore became important. Krohne was selected because of its knowledge and expertise in abrasive slurry applications, combined with the Optimass single straight measuring tube, to provide a reliable, robust solution for the underflow line.
The straight tube Optimass 7000 series Coriolis mass flowmeters have been successfully used on abrasive fluids such as slurries and sand and water mixtures for over 15 years. In these applications a single straight measuring tube will always offer clear advantages over other designs with tube geometries that suffer erosion and premature failure of flow dividers and bends in the abrasive fluid stream. Other specific problems with abrasive fluids are typified by their tendency to separate out with the heavier particles falling to the bottom of the pipeline and the carrier fluid flowing above in a stratified flow. Krohne offers expertise and application guidance to highlight potential problems so they are mitigated during the planning, design, and installation of the system.
Krohne provides complete solutions in the field of process measuring technology for flow, mass flow, level, pressure, temperature as well as analysis tasks. Reduced capital and operating costs, as well as reduced environmental impact have made Optimass a permanent part of the thickener process.
For more information contact John Alexander, Krohne SA, +27 (0)11 314 1391, [email protected], wwww.krohne.com
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