Objective THE TARGET OF THE WORK IS TO DEVELOP AN INTEGRATED COMPUTER-BASED METHODOLOGY THAT IS PRACTICAL TO USE ON SITE IN INDUSTRIAL MINERAL PROCESSING OPERATIONS, WITH THE EMPHASIS ON SOLVING PROBLEMS OF DIRECT RELEVANCE TO PRODUCING PLANT, TO IMPROVE PLAN EFFICIENCIES, INCREASE MINERAL RECOVERIES AND TO MAINTAIN THIS IMPROVED PERFORMANCE. THE TECHNICS DEVELOPED WILL BE VALIDATED ON THE INDUSTRIAL-SCALE OPERATIONS AT BERALT (PANASQUEIRA MINE) AND THE WHEAL JANE AND SOUTH CROFTY PLANTS OF CARNON CONSOLIDATED LTD.A computer based process for the enhancement of mineral processing operations is proposed. New mathematical models of the shaking table, spiral and rake classifiers, rolls crusher, Reichert cone, Duplex concentrator and the multi g separator are developed. 2 expert system have been developed: shaking table diagnostics and supervisory control, both of which are demonstrating success. Modelling and simulation studies have been employed in the metallurgical development work at Wheal Jane and at the Barroca Grande plant of Beralt Tin and Wolfram SA.The objective of the project was the development and validation of a suite of mathematical (and other computer based) techniques, for use in the mineral processing industry, for optimizing plant performance.The parallel application of computer simulation backed up by computer aided process analysis comprised the formal methodology behind this project. The methodology can be thought of as being analogous to a control loop; process simulation and modelling providing the forward planning part of the cycle and material balancing (data reconcillation) completing the main return (analysis) branch of the cycle. Data enhancement and expert systems can provide accelerated analyses and diagnostics.The work has resulted in 7 new unit process models being developed and included within the Warren Spring Laboratory process modelling package. The new models comprise:generic shaking table model;reichert cone model;generic classifier model (spiral and rake);generic crusher model (cone and rolls);duplex concentrator model;multi-g separator model;mineralogical model of flotation/flotation tables.These complement the existing suite of models covering spiral concentrators (both multiport type and siuice type, also specialist coal separators), hydrosizers, jigs, dense media cyclones, pinched sluice, hydrocyclones and grinding mills.The development of these techniques has enabled the methodology to be implemented practically on production plant. The techniques have been validated through case studies. As a result of these studies, benefit has accrued most significantly in the form of quantified decision support. THe emphasis has always been on the practicality of implementation. Data enhancement and expert system techniques have enable significant benefit to be gained at a reduced analytical cost. Industrial confidence in expert systems, as a valuable technique, built up progressively throughout the project, culminating in the whole plant supervisory system b eing specified and developed in the project extension.1. DEVELOPMENT OF MATHEMATICAL MODELS OF MINERAL BENEFICATION UNIT PROCESSES, FOR: FINE TABLES, REICHERT CONES, SPIRAL AND RAKE CLASSIFIERS (INCLUDING DENSITY EFFECTS), CONE AND ROLL CRUSHERS (EMPHASIZING MINERAL LIBERATION EFFECTS). THE MODELS HAVE TO BE FULLY PREDICTIVE. 2. DEVELOPMENT OF NEW SIMULATION TECHNIQUES ENABLING COMMINUTION/LIBERATION MODELS TO BE INTEGRATED WITH GRAVITY PROCESS MODELS FOR PREDICTIVE SIMULATION OF GRAVITY PRECONCENTRATION FLOWSHEETS. A NEW APPROACH TO FLOTATION MODELLING WILL BE DEVELOPED TO ENABLE AN INTEGRATED SIMULATION OF FLOTATION WITH GRAVITY PROCESSES. VALIDATION OF MODELS BY PLANT TESTS. 3. DEVELOPEMENT OF INFORMATION ENHANCEMENT TECHNIQUES BASED ON COMPUTER TECHNIQUES AND MODELLING, TO BE USED IN ROUTINE MONITORING - SPECIAL APPLICATION FOR IDENTIFICATION OF PLANT MALFUNCTION. NEW SYSTEMS OF PLANT DATA LOGGING BY MAIN SITE COMPUTER OR "PORTABLE" COMPUTERS. Fields of science engineering and technologyenvironmental engineeringenergy and fuelsfossil energycoalengineering and technologyenvironmental engineeringmining and mineral processingnatural scienceschemical sciencesinorganic chemistrypost-transition metalsnatural sciencescomputer and information sciencesartificial intelligenceexpert systemsnatural sciencesmathematicsapplied mathematicsmathematical model Programme(s) FP1-RAWMAT 3C - Research programme (EEC) on materials (raw materials and advanced materials), 1986-1989 Topic(s) Data not available Call for proposal Data not available Funding Scheme CSC - Cost-sharing contracts Coordinator Warren Spring Laboratory EU contribution No data Address Gunnels Wood Road SG1 2BX Stevenage United Kingdom See on map Total cost No data Participants (2) Sort alphabetically Sort by EU Contribution Expand all Collapse all BERALT TIN AND WOLFRAM SARL Portugal EU contribution No data Address BEIRA BAIXA See on map Total cost No data Carnon Consolidated Ltd United Kingdom EU contribution No data Address Truro See on map Total cost No data
