WO2017109297A1 - A method and an arrangement for monitoring of a metallurgical separation process - Google Patents

A method and an arrangement for monitoring of a metallurgical separation process Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2017109297A1
WO2017109297A1 PCT/FI2016/050923 FI2016050923W WO2017109297A1 WO 2017109297 A1 WO2017109297 A1 WO 2017109297A1 FI 2016050923 W FI2016050923 W FI 2016050923W WO 2017109297 A1 WO2017109297 A1 WO 2017109297A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
separation process
metallurgical
ray
metallurgical separation
process equipment
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/FI2016/050923
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Erkki Paatero
Kari Saloheimo
Original Assignee
Outotec (Finland) Oy
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from FI20156032A external-priority patent/FI20156032L/en
Application filed by Outotec (Finland) Oy filed Critical Outotec (Finland) Oy
Publication of WO2017109297A1 publication Critical patent/WO2017109297A1/en

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Classifications

    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C22—METALLURGY; FERROUS OR NON-FERROUS ALLOYS; TREATMENT OF ALLOYS OR NON-FERROUS METALS
    • C22B—PRODUCTION AND REFINING OF METALS; PRETREATMENT OF RAW MATERIALS
    • C22B3/00—Extraction of metal compounds from ores or concentrates by wet processes
    • C22B3/02—Apparatus therefor
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N23/00—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of wave or particle radiation, e.g. X-rays or neutrons, not covered by groups G01N3/00 – G01N17/00, G01N21/00 or G01N22/00
    • G01N23/02—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of wave or particle radiation, e.g. X-rays or neutrons, not covered by groups G01N3/00 – G01N17/00, G01N21/00 or G01N22/00 by transmitting the radiation through the material
    • G01N23/04—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of wave or particle radiation, e.g. X-rays or neutrons, not covered by groups G01N3/00 – G01N17/00, G01N21/00 or G01N22/00 by transmitting the radiation through the material and forming images of the material
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N23/00—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of wave or particle radiation, e.g. X-rays or neutrons, not covered by groups G01N3/00 – G01N17/00, G01N21/00 or G01N22/00
    • G01N23/02—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of wave or particle radiation, e.g. X-rays or neutrons, not covered by groups G01N3/00 – G01N17/00, G01N21/00 or G01N22/00 by transmitting the radiation through the material
    • G01N23/06—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of wave or particle radiation, e.g. X-rays or neutrons, not covered by groups G01N3/00 – G01N17/00, G01N21/00 or G01N22/00 by transmitting the radiation through the material and measuring the absorption
    • G01N23/083—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of wave or particle radiation, e.g. X-rays or neutrons, not covered by groups G01N3/00 – G01N17/00, G01N21/00 or G01N22/00 by transmitting the radiation through the material and measuring the absorption the radiation being X-rays
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N33/00—Investigating or analysing materials by specific methods not covered by groups G01N1/00 - G01N31/00
    • G01N33/20—Metals
    • G01N33/202—Constituents thereof
    • G01N33/2028—Metallic constituents
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D21/00—Separation of suspended solid particles from liquids by sedimentation
    • B01D21/30—Control equipment
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B03—SEPARATION OF SOLID MATERIALS USING LIQUIDS OR USING PNEUMATIC TABLES OR JIGS; MAGNETIC OR ELECTROSTATIC SEPARATION OF SOLID MATERIALS FROM SOLID MATERIALS OR FLUIDS; SEPARATION BY HIGH-VOLTAGE ELECTRIC FIELDS
    • B03D—FLOTATION; DIFFERENTIAL SEDIMENTATION
    • B03D1/00—Flotation
    • B03D1/02—Froth-flotation processes
    • B03D1/028—Control and monitoring of flotation processes; computer models therefor
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N2223/00—Investigating materials by wave or particle radiation
    • G01N2223/40—Imaging
    • G01N2223/419—Imaging computed tomograph
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N2223/00—Investigating materials by wave or particle radiation
    • G01N2223/60—Specific applications or type of materials
    • G01N2223/605—Specific applications or type of materials phases
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N2223/00—Investigating materials by wave or particle radiation
    • G01N2223/60—Specific applications or type of materials
    • G01N2223/643—Specific applications or type of materials object on conveyor
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02P—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS
    • Y02P10/00—Technologies related to metal processing
    • Y02P10/20—Recycling

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to the field of mineral engineering and metallurgy and metallurgical technologies in general and to extraction of metal compounds from ores or concentrates by metallurgical processes, and more particularly to a method and an arrangement for monitoring of a metallurgical separation process.
  • Metallurgical technologies are used for obtaining or extracting metal compounds from their ores.
  • Metallurgy is typically divided into four general areas: mineral processing, hydrometallurgy, pyrometallurgy and electrometallurgy.
  • mineral processing hydrometallurgy
  • pyrometallurgy pyrometallurgy
  • electrometallurgy a metallurgical separation process
  • None of the current monitoring solutions provide enough information of the status of the metallurgical separation process. With the current monitoring solutions it is not possible to acquire information on the condition or the development of the metallurgical separation process equipment, such as e.g.
  • an ion exchange col- umn a vertical filter, a pressure filter, a leaching reactor, a gold leaching reactor or a dual media adsorption filter.
  • the metallurgical separation process medium such as e.g. ion- exchange beads, filter belt, filter cloth, filter cake or carbon.
  • the problem therefore is to find a solution for an adequate measuring arrangement in a metallurgical separation process which can provide continuously reliable measurement data for monitoring the metallurgical separation process equipment, the metallurgical separation process medium and the metallurgical separation process in general.
  • An object of the present invention is thus to provide a method and an apparatus for implementing the method so as to overcome the above problems and to alleviate the above disadvantages.
  • the objects of the invention are achieved by a method for monitoring of a metallurgical separation process using a metallurgical separation process medium comprising the step of:
  • the method comprises the step of:
  • the method comprises the step of:
  • said metallurgical separation process equipment is an ion exchange column or an adsorption column.
  • said metallurgical separation process equipment is a metallurgical moving belt filter.
  • said metallurgical separation process equipment is a disc filter or a ceramic disc filter.
  • said metallurgical separation process equipment is a pressure filter.
  • said metallurgical separation process equipment is a leaching reactor.
  • said metallurgical separation process equipment is an adsorption filter.
  • an arrangement for monitoring of a metallurgical separation process using a metal- lurgical separation process medium in metallurgical separation process equipment which arrangement comprises:
  • At least one X-ray tube arranged to transmit X-ray radiation into of said metallurgical process equipment
  • At least one X-ray sensor unit arranged opposite to said at least one X-ray tube, said at least one X-ray sensor unit arranged to detect X-ray radiation travelling inside said metallurgical separation process equipment and through at least a portion of said metallurgical separation process medium, and
  • sensor data processing unit provides a two- or three dimensional image related to the attenuation of X- rays by the metallurgical process substance inside or on the said metallurgical separation process medium.
  • said arrangement comprises a sensor data processing unit, which said sensor data processing unit controls said metallurgical separation process based on the detected X-ray radiation data.
  • phase boundaries, distribution of solid content and/or density and/or water content in the metallurgical process substance inside or on said metallurgical separation process medium is/are calculated based on the detected X-ray radiation data.
  • the formation of accumulated solids in said metallurgical separation process equipment is calculated based on the detected X-ray radiation data.
  • the degree of swelling of said metallurgical separation process medium is calculated based on the detected X-ray radiation data.
  • the X-rays from said at least one X-ray tube are colli- mated into a narrow beam in at least one dimension when propagating inside said metallurgical separation process equipment and through at least a portion of said metallurgical separation process medium.
  • said at least one X-ray tube is arranged to move or turn in order to transmit X-ray radiation in multiple directions.
  • said at least one X-ray sensor unit is arranged to move or turn.
  • said at least one X-ray tube and said least one X- ray sensor unit are realized as at least one X-ray measurement unit or as at least one movable X-ray measurement unit.
  • said metallurgical separation process equipment is an ion exchange column or an adsorption column.
  • said metallurgical separation process equipment is a metallurgical moving belt filter.
  • said metallurgical separation process equipment is a disc filter or a ceramic disc filter.
  • said metallurgical separation process equipment is a stationary filter cloth filter or a stationary filter cloth filter supporting an adsorbent.
  • said metallurgical separation process equipment is a pressure filter.
  • said metallur- gical separation process equipment is a leaching reactor.
  • said metallurgical separation process equipment is an adsorption filter.
  • Figure 1 shows a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of an ar- rangement for monitoring of a metallurgical separation process according to the present invention
  • Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of an arrangement for monitoring of a metallurgical separation process according to the present invention
  • Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view of a third embodiment of an arrangement for monitoring of a metallurgical separation process according to the present invention
  • Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional view of a fourth embodiment of an arrangement for monitoring of a metallurgical separation process according to the present invention
  • Figure 5 shows a cross-sectional view of a fifth embodiment of an arrangement for monitoring of a metallurgical separation process according to the present invention.
  • Figure 6 shows a cross-sectional view of a sixth embodiment of an arrangement for monitoring of a metallurgical separation process according to the present invention.
  • a metallurgical separation process is defined as any metallurgical process for separating metals or desired materials from a metallurgical process substance, such as a metallurgical sorption process.
  • a metallurgical process substance is defined as any material in a process stream fed into or out from a metallurgical process, in the form of gas, liquid, particulate solid or any mixture of these.
  • a metallurgical separation process me- dium is defined as a medium used in separation of metals or desired materials in a metallurgical separation process.
  • a metallurgical separation process medium may be a filter belt, a filter cloth, or a solid sorbent e.g. an ion-exchange resin, an inorganic adsorbent, an activated carbon, a silica based sorbent or a coalescing material.
  • Metallurgical separation processes may be used in any technological areas of metallurgy, such as for example in mineral processing, in hydro- metallurgy, in pyro metallurgy and in electrometallurgy.
  • Mineral processing consists of initially breaking down the ore to smaller sizes depending on the concentration process to be followed, by crushing, grinding, sieving, separation by flotation, magnetic and/or gravity separation, solid-liquid separation by thickening, filtration and water treatment, et cetera.
  • Hydrometallurgical processes involve the use of aqueous chemistry for the recovery of metals from ores, concentrates, and recycled or residual materials by leaching, solution purification, dewatering, recovery, ion exchange and filtering technologies, et cetera.
  • hydrometallurgy is understood to include also all the wet mineral grinding and separation processes prior to leaching, solution purification, recovery and effluent treatment technologies.
  • Pyrometallurgical processes involve high temperature processes where chemical reactions take place among gases, solids, and molten materials.
  • Electrometallurgy involves processes that take place in some form of electrolytic cell. The most common electro metallurgical processes are electrowinning and electrorefining.
  • Leaching involves the use of aqueous solutions, which contain a lix- iviant brought into contact with particulate solid material, part of which is soluble in the lixiviant.
  • aqueous solutions which contain a lix- iviant brought into contact with particulate solid material, part of which is soluble in the lixiviant.
  • leaching process options available for the hydrometallurgical treatment of ores and concentrates. In the leaching process, oxidation potential, temperature, and pH of the solution are important parameters.
  • leaching methods utilizing lixiviants such as sulfuric acid, chloride and cyanide, at atmospheric or elevated pressure.
  • Leaching technologies include the leaching of e.g. zinc, copper, nickel, cobalt, gold, silver, molybdenum, uranium, manganese, rare earth elements and syn- thetic rutile.
  • Typical adsorbents and solid ion exchangers are synthetic adsorbents and synthetic ion exchange resins, zeolites, clays, activated carbons and anthracites. Most commonly the adsorbents and ion exchangers are packed in columns, e.g. ion exchange columns used in hydrometallurgy or using synthet- ic ion exchange resins in a packed vertical ion exchange column.
  • the adsorbent is in some applications fluidized in the fluid, like e.g. in a Carbon-in-Leach process, or placed on a mechanical filter material.
  • Filtration is a mechanical or physical operation used for the separation of solids from fluids by interposing a medium through which only the fluid can pass.
  • the fluid that passes through is called the filtrate. Oversize solids in the fluid are retained, but the separation is not complete; solids will be contaminated with some fluid and filtrate will contain fine particles.
  • Another method of applying filtration is to combine adsorption and filtration so that the filter cloth acts as a support for a layer of particles that act as adsorbents or ion exchang- ers which remove impurities from the fluid passing through the filter. In mining and in metallurgy the separation of solid and liquid substances has become a critical process in the path towards more efficient processing of valuable metals.
  • FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of an ar- rangement for monitoring of a metallurgical separation process according to the present invention.
  • a metallurgical separation process equipment 7 according to the present embodiment is an ion exchange column 7 filled with metallurgical separation process medium 8, i.e. ion-exchange beads 8.
  • the ion exchange column 7 according to the present embodiment has an input 9 for feed- ing metallurgical separation process substance into said ion exchange column 7.
  • the metallurgical separation process substance typically contains dissolved metal or metals.
  • the ion-exchange beads 8 exchange ions with the metallurgical separation process substance flowing downwards in the ion ex- change column 7.
  • the ion exchange column 7 according to the present em- bodiment has an output 10 for an outlet of the metallurgical separation process substance from said ion exchange column 7.
  • the loaded ion-exchange beads 1 1 are shown as filled black spheres.
  • Respectively the unloaded ion-exchange beads 8 are shown as open white spheres.
  • the boundary between the loaded ion-exchange beads 1 1 and unloaded ion-exchange beads 8 is the so called working zone of said ion exchange column 7.
  • the metallurgical separation process medium 8 i.e. ion-exchange beads 8 have adsorbed metals to their capacity and some of the ions from the metallurgical separation process substance feed breakthrough and escape into the pure solution of output 10 of said ion exchange column 7.
  • break-through the operation of the ion exchange column 7 is stopped and the ion exchange column 7 is then taken off-line and is backwashed, regenerated and rinsed before being put back into service.
  • the arrangement for monitoring of a metallurgical separation process comprises at least one X-ray tube 23.
  • said at least one X-ray tube 23 is arranged to transmit X-ray radiation into of said metallurgical separation process equip- ment 7.
  • Said at least one X-ray tube 23 is an X-ray tube suitable for X-ray imaging.
  • Said at least one X-ray tube 23 may have a point focus and may be equipped with a collimator that limits the X-ray beam to a desired direction.
  • the arrangement for monitoring of a metallurgical separation process comprises at least one X-ray sen- sor unit 24, said at least one X-ray sensor unit 24 opposing said at least one X- ray tube 23.
  • said at least one X-ray sensor unit 24 is arranged to detect X-ray radiation travelling inside said metallurgical separation process equipment 7.
  • Said at least one X-ray sensor unit 24 is an X-ray sensor unit suitable for X-ray imaging.
  • Said at least one X-ray sensor unit 24 may comprise at least two, preferably more than 31 , more preferably more than 127, detectors that measure the intensity of X-ray radiation.
  • the X-rays from said at least one X- ray tube 23 may be collimated into a narrow beam in at least one dimension when propagating inside said metallurgical separation process equipment 7 thus minimizing the the amount of radiation to other directions than the detec- tor. Furthermore, said at least one X-ray tube 23 may be arranged to move or turn in order to transmit X-ray radiation in multiple directions.
  • At least one X-ray sensor unit 24 of said metallurgical separation process equipment 7 detects X-ray ra- diation transmitted by said opposing at least one X-ray tube 23, said X-ray radiation travelling inside said metallurgical separation process equipment 7.
  • a sensor data processing unit can provide a two-dimensional image related to the attenuation of X-rays by the metallurgical separation process substance in the metallurgical separa- tion process medium 8 inside said metallurgical separation process equipment 7 based on the detected X-ray radiation data.
  • said at least one X- ray sensor unit 24 may be arranged to move or turn in order to sense and provide a two- or three-dimensional image.
  • Said at least one X-ray tube 23 and the at least one X-ray sensor unit 24 may be realized as at least one X-ray measurement unit or as at least one movable X-ray measurement unit.
  • Said image provided by said at least one X-ray sensor unit 24 gives information for the calculation, monitoring and controlling of process, e.g. of the need for a backwash and/or of the accumulated solids and/or of the degree of swelling in metallurgical separation process medium 8, 1 1 . Furthermore, said image provided by said at least one X-ray sensor unit 24 gives information for the calculation for measurement of the working zone location border between the loaded ion-exchange beads 1 1 and unloaded ion-exchange beads 8 in said ion exchange column 7.
  • Determining the working zone of the ion exchange column 7 online with the help of said image provided by said at least one X-ray sensor unit 24 gives an opportunity to follow the process behaviour, to detect abnormal situations and to make corrective actions in time. Online measurement will also give a long time average measurement result instead of an instantaneous indication. Furthermore, said image provided by said at least one X-ray sensor unit 24 gives information about the degree of swelling in said ion exchange column 7. Especially, when using e.g. polymeric ion exchange resins the swelling reveals crucial information about the ion exchange process and the condition of the ion exchange resin.
  • said metallurgical separation process equipment 7 can also be an adsorption column 7 filled with metallurgical sepa- ration process medium 8, 1 1 , i.e. adsorbents 8, 1 1 .
  • Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of an arrangement for monitoring of a metallurgical separation process according to the present invention.
  • Metallurgical separation process equipment according to the present another embodiment is a metallurgical moving belt filter.
  • the met- allurgical moving belt filter according to the present another embodiment comprises a moving filter belt 12 and a feed input 14 onto which metallurgical separation process substance 13, i.e. process slurry 13 is applied.
  • Said metallurgical separation process substance 13 travels as and even process substance bed 15 on said moving filter belt 12 and is subjected to a vacuum dewatering and drying process using a vacuum box 16. As said even process substance bed 15 dries it forms filter cakes 17, which filter cakes 17 are discharged from the moving filter belt 12 at the end of the filter.
  • the metallurgical moving belt filter according to the prior art may also comprise a filter belt washing element 18 for washing of the moving filter belt 12.
  • the arrangement for monitoring of a metallurgical separation process comprises at least one X- ray tube 25.
  • said at least one X-ray tube 25 is arranged to transmit X-ray radiation towards the moving filter belt 12 of said metallurgical separation process equipment, i.e. metallurgical moving belt filter.
  • Said at least one X-ray tube 25 is an X-ray tube suitable for X-ray imaging.
  • Said at least one X-ray tube 25 may have a point focus and may be equipped with a collimator that limits the X-ray beam to a desired direction.
  • the arrangement for monitoring of a metallurgical separation process comprises at least one X- ray sensor unit 26, said at least one X-ray sensor unit 26 opposing said at least one X-ray tube 25.
  • said at least one X-ray sensor unit 26 is arranged to detect X-ray radiation travelled through the moving filter belt 12 of said metallurgical separation process equipment, i.e. metallurgical moving belt filter.
  • said at least one X-ray sensor unit 26 is arranged to detect X-ray radiation travelled through the moving filter belt 12 of said metallurgical separation process equipment and through the filter cakes 17 of the dried process substance bed 15.
  • Said at least one X-ray sensor unit 26 is an X-ray sensor unit suitable for X-ray imaging.
  • Said at least one X-ray sensor unit 26 may comprise at least two, preferably more than 31 , more pref- erably more than 127, detectors that measure the intensity of X-ray radiation.
  • the X-rays from said at least one X-ray tube 25 may be collimated into a narrow beam in at least one dimension when propagating through said moving filter belt 12 thus minimizing the amount of radiation to other directions than the detector.
  • said at least one X-ray line transmission source 25 may be arranged to move or turn in order to transmit X-ray radiation in multiple directions.
  • At least one X-ray sensor unit 26 of said metallurgical separation process equipment detects X-ray radia- tion transmitted by said opposing at least one X-ray tube 25, said X-ray radiation having travelled through said moving filter belt 12.
  • a sensor data processing unit can provide a two-dimensional image related to the attenuation of X-rays by the metallurgical separation process substance in the metallurgical separa- tion process medium 15, i.e. the dried process substance bed 15, on said metallurgical separation process equipment, i.e. the moving filter belt 12 based on the detected X-ray radiation data.
  • said at least one X-ray sensor unit 26 may be arranged to move or turn in order to sense and provide a two- or three-dimensional image.
  • Said at least one X-ray tube 25 and the at least one X-ray sensor unit 26 may be realized as at least one X-ray measurement unit or as at least one movable X-ray measurement unit.
  • Said image provided by said at least one X-ray sensor unit 26 gives information for the calculation, monitoring and controlling of process, e.g. of the need for a moving filter belt change and/or the thickness of the filter filter cakes 17 of the dried metallurgical process substance 13, 15. Determining the need for a moving filter belt change online with the help of said image provided by said at least one X-ray sensor unit 26 gives an opportunity to follow the process behaviour, to detect abnormal situations and to make corrective actions in time. Online measurement will also give a long time average measurement result instead of an instantaneous indication.
  • FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of a third embodiment of an arrangement for monitoring of a metallurgical separation process according to the present invention.
  • Metallurgical separation process equipment according to the third embodiment is a metallurgical moving belt filter.
  • the metallurgical moving belt filter according to the third embodiment comprises a moving filter belt 12 and a feed input 14 onto which metallurgical separation process sub- stance 13, i.e. process slurry 13 is applied.
  • Said metallurgical separation process substance 13 travels as and even process substance bed 15 on said moving filter belt 12 and is subjected to a vacuum dewatering and drying process using a vacuum box 16.
  • As said even process substance bed 15 dries it forms filter cakes 17, which filter cakes 17 are discharged from the moving filter belt 12 at the end of the filter.
  • the metallurgical moving belt filter according to the prior art may also comprise a filter belt washing element 18 for washing of the moving filter belt 12.
  • the arrangement for monitoring of a metallurgical separation pro- cess comprises at least one X-ray tube 25, 27.
  • said at least one X-ray tube 25, 27 is arranged to transmit X-ray radiation towards the moving filter belt 12 of said metallurgical separation process equipment, i.e. metallurgical moving belt filter.
  • Said at least one X-ray tube 25, 27 is an X-ray tube suitable for X-ray imaging.
  • Said at least one X-ray tube 25, 27 may have a point focus and may be equipped with a collimator that limits the X-ray beam to a desired direction.
  • the arrangement for monitoring of a metallurgical separation process comprises at least one X-ray sensor unit 26, 28, said at least one X-ray sensor unit 26, 28 opposing said at least one X-ray tube 25, 27.
  • said at least one X-ray sensor unit 26, 28 is arranged to detect X-ray radiation travelled through the moving filter belt 12 of said metallurgical separation process equipment, i.e. metallurgical moving belt filter.
  • a first X-ray sensor unit 26 of said at least one X-ray sensor unit 26, 28 is arranged to detect X-ray radiation transmitted by a first X-ray tube 25 of said at least one X-ray tube 25, 27, said detect X-ray radiation having travelled through the moving filter belt 12 of said metallurgical separation process equipment and through the filter cakes 17 of the dried process substance bed 15.
  • a second X-ray sensor unit 28 of said at least one X-ray sensor unit 26, 28 is arranged to detect X-ray radiation trans- mitted by a second X-ray tube 27 of said at least one X-ray tube 25, 27, said detect X-ray radiation having travelled through the washed moving filter belt 12 of said metallurgical separation process equipment.
  • Said at least one X-ray sensor unit 26, 28 is an X-ray sensor unit suitable for X-ray imaging.
  • Said at least one X-ray sensor unit 26, 28 may comprise at least two, preferably more than 31 , more preferably more than 127, detectors that measure the intensity of X-ray radiation.
  • the X-rays from said at least one X-ray tube 25, 27 may be collimated into a narrow beam in at least one dimension when propagating through said moving filter belt 12 thus minimizing the the amount of radiation to other directions than the detector.
  • said at least one X-ray tube 25, 27 may be arranged to move or turn in order to transmit X-ray radiation in multiple directions.
  • At least one X-ray sensor unit 26, 28 of said metallurgical separation process equipment detects an X- ray radiation transmitted by said opposing at least one X-ray tube unit 25, 27, said X-ray radiation having travelled through said moving filter belt 12.
  • a sensor data processing unit can provide a two-dimensional image related to the attenuation of X-rays by the metallurgical separation process substance in the metallurgical separa- tion process medium 15, i.e. the dried process substance bed 15, on said metallurgical separation process equipment, i.e. the moving filter belt 12 based on the detected X-ray radiation data.
  • said at least one X-ray sensor unit 26, 28 may be arranged to move or turn in order to sense and provide a two- or three-dimensional image.
  • Said at least one X-ray tube 25, 27 and the at least one X-ray sensor unit 26, 28 may be realized as at least one X-ray measurement unit or as at least one movable X-ray measurement unit.
  • Said image provided by said at least one X-ray sensor unit 26, 28 gives information for the calculation, monitoring and controlling of process, e.g. of the need for a moving filter belt change and/or the thickness of the filter filter cakes 17 of the dried metallurgical process substance 13, 15. Determining the need for a moving filter belt change online with the help of said image provided by said at least one X-ray sensor unit 26, 28 gives an opportunity to follow the process behaviour, to detect abnormal situations and to make corrective actions in time. Online measurement will also give a long time average meas- urement result instead of an instantaneous indication.
  • Metallurgical separation process equipment may also be a disc filter or a ceramic disc filter, such as e.g. a capillary action disc filter.
  • the at least one X-ray tube is arranged to transmit X-ray radiation towards a rotating disc of said met- allurgical separation process equipment, i.e. disc filter.
  • the at least one X-ray sensor unit may be opposing said at least one X-ray tube and arranged to detect X-ray radiation transmitted by said at least one X-ray tube said detect X-ray radiation having travelled through a rotating disc of said disc filter and through the filter cake of the dried process substance formed on said rotating disc.
  • FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of a fourth embodiment of an arrangement for monitoring of a metallurgical separation process according to the present invention.
  • Metallurgical separation process equipment according to the fourth embodiment is a pressure filter 19 filled with metallurgical separation process substance 20, e.g. process slurry 20.
  • the pressure filter 19 according to the fourth embodiment has an input/output 21 for feeding metallurgical separation process substance 20 into said pressure filter 19.
  • the pressure filter 19 according to the fourth embodiment also has at least one filter leave element 22, which at least one filter leave element 22 is used as a metallurgical separation process medium 22 for filtering the metallurgical separation process sub- stance 20.
  • metallurgical separation process equipment there is a pressure applied in said pressure filter 19 so that there is a flow of said metallurgical separation process substance 20 through said at least one filter leave element 22.
  • Said at least one filter leave element 22 filters with metallurgical separation process substance 20 so that there is a filtration cake formed on said at least one filter leave element 22.
  • the arrangement for monitoring of a metallurgical separation process comprises at least one X-ray tube 29.
  • said at least one X-ray tube 29 is arranged to transmit X-ray radiation towards the at least one filter leave element 22 of said met- allurgical separation process equipment, i.e. pressure filter.
  • Said at least one X-ray tube 29 is an X-ray tube suitable for X-ray imaging.
  • Said at least one X- ray tube 29 may have a point focus and may be equipped with a collimator that limits the X-ray beam to a desired direction.
  • the arrangement for monitoring of a metallurgical separation pro- cess comprises at least one X-ray sensor unit 30, said at least one X-ray sensor unit 30 opposing said at least one X-ray tube 29.
  • said at least one X-ray sensor unit 30 is arranged to detect X-ray radiation travelled through the at least one filter leave element 22 of said metallurgical separation process equipment 19, i.e. pres- sure filter 19.
  • said at least one X-ray sensor unit 30 is arranged to detect X-ray radiation travelled through the at least one filter leave element 22 of said metallurgical separation process equipment and through the filtration cake formed on said at least one filter leave element 22.
  • Said at least one X- ray sensor unit 30 is an X-ray sensor unit suitable for X-ray imaging.
  • Said at least one X-ray sensor unit 30 may comprise at least two, preferably more than 31 , more preferably more than 127, detectors that measure the intensity of X- ray radiation.
  • the X-rays from said at least one X- ray tube 29 may be collimated into a narrow beam in at least one dimension when propagating through said at least one filter leave element 22 22 thus minimizing the amount of radiation to other directions than the detector. Furthermore, said at least one X-ray tube 29 may be arranged to move or turn in order to transmit X-ray radiation in multiple directions.
  • At least one X-ray sensor unit 30 of said metallurgical separation process equipment 7 detects an X-ray radiation transmitted by said opposing at least one X-ray tube unit 29, said X- ray radiation having travelled through said at least one filter leave element 22 and through said filtration cake formed on said at least one filter leave element 22.
  • a sensor data processing unit can provide a two-dimensional image related to the attenuation of X-rays by the metallurgical separation process substance in the metallurgical separation process medium, i.e. the filtration cake formed on said at least one filter leave element 22 based on the detected X-ray radiation data.
  • said at least one X-ray sensor unit 30 may be arranged to move or turn in order to sense and provide a two- or three-dimensional image.
  • Said at least one X-ray tube 29 and the at least one X-ray sensor unit 30 may be realized as at least one X-ray measurement unit or as at least one movable X-ray measurement unit.
  • Said image provided by said at least one X-ray sensor unit 30 gives information for the calculation, monitoring and controlling of process, e.g. of the need for a moving filter belt change and/or of the accumulated solids and/or of the degree of swelling in metallurgical separation process medium 22 and/or of the degree of swelling in the metallurgical process substance 20. Determining the need for a filter leave element wash online with the help of said image provided by said at least one X-ray sensor unit 30 gives an opportunity to follow the process behaviour, to detect abnormal situations and to make corrective actions in time.
  • the arrangement for monitoring of a metallurgical separation process enables the monitoring of the porosity and composition of the filter the filtration cake formed on said at least one filter leave element 22 and can also enable the prediction of the collapse of said filtration cake. Online measurement will also give a long time average measurement result instead of an instantaneous indication.
  • FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of a fifth embodiment of an arrangement for monitoring of a metallurgical separation process according to the present invention.
  • Metallurgical separation process equipment is a leaching reactor 31 with the adsorbent mixed in the slurry, such as e.g. a gold leaching reactor 31 filled with metallurgical separation process substance 32 i.e. slurry 32, e.g. leach liquor 32.
  • the adsorbent is mixed in the slurry 32, e.g. in the gold leaching re- actor 31 there is carbon adsorbent is mixed in the leach liquor 32
  • the metallurgical separation process can for example be a Carbon In Leach (CIL) gold recovery process.
  • CIL Carbon In Leach
  • the leaching reactor 31 e.g. gold leaching reactor 31 according to the fifth embodiment has metallurgical separation process medium 33, e.g. carbon 33 acting as an adsorbent in said leaching reactor 31 , e.g. gold leaching reactor 31 .
  • the metallurgical separation process medium 33 e.g. carbon 33 acts like a sponge to aurocyanide and other complex ions in solution.
  • CIL Carbon In Leach
  • gold cyanide complex is adsorbed onto the carbon until it comes to equilibrium with the gold in solution. Because the carbon particles are much larger than the ore particles, the coarse carbon can then be separated from the slurry by screening e.g. using a wire mesh.
  • the arrangement for monitoring of a metallurgical separation process comprises at least one X-ray tube 34.
  • said at least one X-ray tube 34 is arranged inside said metallurgical separation process equipment 31 .
  • Said at least one X-ray tube 34 is arranged to transmit X-ray radiation into of said metallurgical separation process equipment 31 .
  • Said at least one X-ray tube 34 is an X-ray tube suitable for X-ray imaging.
  • Said at least one X-ray tube 34 may have a point focus and may be equipped with a collimator that limits the X-ray beam to a desired di- rection.
  • the arrangement for monitoring of a metallurgical separation process comprises at least one X-ray sensor unit 35, said at least one X-ray sensor unit 35 opposing said at least one X-ray tube 34.
  • said at least one X-ray sensor unit 35 is at- tached at a frame structure of said metallurgical separation process equipment 31 .
  • Said at least one X-ray sensor unit 35 is arranged to detect X-ray radiation travelling inside said metallurgical separation process equipment 31 .
  • Said at least one X-ray sensor unit 35 is an X-ray sensor unit suitable for X-ray imaging.
  • Said at least one X-ray sensor unit 35 may comprise at least two, prefera- bly more than 31 , more preferably more than 127, detectors that measure the intensity of X-ray radiation.
  • Said at least one X-ray sensor unit 35 may be attached to said frame structure so that said at least one X-ray sensor unit 35 is inside said metallurgical separation process equipment 31 or as shown in the Figure 5 so that said at least one X-ray sensor unit 35 is outside said metallurgical separation process equipment 31 .
  • the frame structure of said metallurgical separation process equipment 31 may comprise one or more window portions, which said one or more window portions are manufactured of material, which does not absorb the X-rays and allows the X-rays travel through the frame structure of said metallurgical separation process equipment 31 .
  • Said one or more window portions may be manufactured of polymeric material, glass, aluminium, ceramics or composite.
  • said at least one X-ray sensor unit 35 is arranged inside said metallurgical separation process equipment 31 and said at least one X-ray tube 34 is attached at a frame structure of said metallurgical separation process equipment 31 .
  • the X-rays from said at least one X-ray tube 34 may be collimated into a narrow beam in at least one dimension when propagating inside said metallurgical separation process equipment 31 thus minimizing the amount of radiation to other directions than the detector. Furthermore, said at least one X-ray tube 34 may be arranged to move or turn in order to transmit X-ray radiation in multiple directions. In the embodiment presented in Figure 5 at least one X-ray sensor unit 35 of said metallurgical separation process equipment 31 detects an X-ray radiation transmitted by said opposing at least one X-ray tube unit 34, said X- ray radiation travelling inside said metallurgical separation process equipment 31 .
  • a sensor data processing unit can provide a two-dimensional image related to the attenuation of X-rays by the metallurgical separation process substance in the metallurgical separation process medium 33 inside said metallurgical separation process equip- ment 31 based on the detected X-ray radiation signal data.
  • said at least one X-ray sensor unit 35 may be arranged to move or turn in order to sense and provide a two- or three-dimensional image.
  • Said at least one X-ray tube 34 and the at least one X-ray sensor unit 35 may be realized as at least one X-ray measurement unit or as at least one movable X-ray measurement unit.
  • Said image provided by said at least one X-ray sensor unit 35 gives information for the calculation, monitoring and controlling of process, e.g. of the need for a change of leach liquor 32 and/or need for a change of carbon 33 and/or of the accumulated solids and/or of the degree of swelling in metallurgi- cal separation process medium 33 and/or of the degree of swelling in the metallurgical process substance 32. Determining the need for a change of leach liquor 32 and/or carbon 33 online with the help of said image provided by said at least one X-ray sensor unit 35 gives an opportunity to follow the process behaviour, to detect abnormal situations and to make corrective actions in time. Online measurement will also give a long time average measurement result instead of an instantaneous indication.
  • FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional view of a sixth embodiment of an arrangement for monitoring of a metallurgical separation process according to the present invention.
  • Metallurgical separation process equipment according to the sixth embodiment is an adsorption filter 36, filled with metallurgical separation process substance 37, i.e. electrolyte 37.
  • the adsorption filter 36 according to the sixth embodiment is a dual media adsorption filter having a first metallurgical separation process medium layer 38 for coalescing and a second metallurgical separation process medium layer 39 for filtration.
  • Said first metal- lurgical separation process medium layer 38 provides for organic removal and may comprise e.g. anthracite 38 or other metallurgical separation process me- dium 38 suitable for coalescence.
  • Said second metallurgical separation process medium layer 39 provides for electrolyte filtration and may comprise e.g. garnet 39 or other metallurgical separation process medium 39 suitable for electrolyte filtration.
  • the adsorption filter 36 has an outlet on the top part for organic recovery.
  • the organic substance in said metallurgical separation process substance rises upwards with the air droplets due to the coalescing phenomena.
  • the organic substance is retrieved through organic recovery outlet.
  • Said second metallurgical separation process medium layer 39 provides for filtering of the organic substance still present in the electrolyte 37.
  • the arrangement for monitoring of a metallurgical separation process comprises at least one X-ray tube 40, 42.
  • said at least one X-ray tube 40, 42 is arranged inside said metallurgical separation process equipment 36.
  • Said at least one X-ray tube 40, 42 is arranged to transmit X-ray radiation into of said metallurgical separation process equipment 36.
  • Said at least one X-ray tube 40, 42 is an X- ray tube suitable for X-ray imaging.
  • Said at least one X-ray tube 40, 42 may have a point focus and may be equipped with a collimator that limits the X-ray beam to a desired direction.
  • the arrangement for monitoring of a metallurgical separation process comprises at least one X-ray sensor unit 41 , 43, said at least one X-ray sensor unit 41 , 43 opposing said at least one X-ray tube 40, 42.
  • said at least one X-ray sensor unit 41 , 43 is attached at a frame structure of said metallurgical separation process equipment 36.
  • Said at least one X-ray sensor unit 41 , 43 is arranged to detect X-ray radiation travelling inside said metallurgical separation process equipment 36.
  • Said at least one X-ray sensor unit 41 , 43 is an X-ray sensor unit suitable for X-ray imaging.
  • Said at least one X-ray sensor unit 41 , 43 may comprise at least two, preferably more than 31 , more preferably more than 127, detectors that measure the intensity of X-ray radiation.
  • Said at least one X-ray sensor unit 41 , 43 may be attached to said frame structure so that said at least one X-ray sensor unit 41 , 43 is inside said metallurgical separation process equipment 36 or as shown in the Figure 6 so that said at least one X-ray sensor unit 41 , 43 is outside said metallurgical separation process equipment 36.
  • the frame structure of said met- allurgical separation process equipment 36 may comprise one or more window portions, which said one or more window portions are manufactured of material, which does not absorb the X-rays and allows the X-rays travel through the frame structure of said metallurgical separation process equipment 36.
  • Said one or more window portions may be manufactured of polymeric material, glass, aluminium, ceramics or composite.
  • said at least one X-ray sensor unit 41 , 43 is arranged inside said metallurgical separation process equipment 36 and said at least one X-ray tube 40, 42 is attached at a frame structure of said metallurgical separation process equipment 36.
  • the X-rays from said at least one X-ray tube 40, 42 may be collimated into a narrow beam in at least one dimension when propagating inside said metallurgical separation process equipment 36 thus minimizing the the amount of radiation to other directions than the detector. Furthermore, said at least one X-ray tube 40, 42 may be arranged to move or turn in order to transmit X-ray radiation in multiple directions.
  • At least one X-ray sensor unit 41 , 43 of said metallurgical separation process equipment 36 detects an X-ray radiation transmitted by said opposing at least one X-ray tube unit 40, 42, said X-ray radiation travelling inside said metallurgical separation process equipment 36.
  • a sensor data processing unit can provide a two-dimensional image related to the attenuation of X-rays by the metallurgical separation process substance in the metallurgical separation process media 38, 39 inside said metallurgical separation process equipment 36 based on the detected X-ray radiation data.
  • said at least one X-ray sensor unit 41 , 43 may be arranged to move or turn in order to sense and provide a two- or three-dimensional image.
  • Said at least one X-ray tube 40, 42 and the at least one X-ray sensor unit 41 , 43 may be realized as at least one X-ray measurement unit or as at least one movable X-ray measurement unit.
  • Said image provided by said at least one X-ray sensor unit 41 , 43 gives information for the calculation, monitoring and controlling of process, e.g. need for a backwash or need for a change of first metallurgical separation process medium 38 and/or of the need for a change of second metallurgical separation process medium 39 and/or of the accumulated solids and/or of the degree of swelling in metallurgical separation process media 38, 39 and/or of the 5 degree of swelling in the metallurgical process substance 37.
  • Determining the need for a backwash or need for a change of metallurgical separation process media 38, 39 online with the help of said image provided by said at least one X-ray sensor unit 41 , 43 gives an opportunity to follow the process behaviour, to detect abnormal situations and to make corrective actions in time. Online 10 measurement will also give a long time average measurement result instead of an instantaneous indication.
  • the solution for monitoring of a metallurgical separation process according to the present invention provides a continuous measurement of a meti s allurgical process substance in metallurgical separation process equipment, which is highly insensitive to dirt or contamination.
  • the solution for monitoring of a metallurgical separation process according to the present invention provides reliable, online measurement data for the monitoring of the metallurgical separation process.
  • the monitoring solution according to the present invention 20 provides reliable information on the condition or the development of the metallurgical separation process equipment, such as e.g. an ion exchange column, a vertical filter, a pressure filter, a leaching reactor with the adsorbent mixed in the slurry, a gold leaching reactor or a dual media adsorption filter.
  • the monitoring solution according to the present invention also provides 25 reliable information on the condition or the development of the metallurgical separation process medium, such as e.g. ion-exchange beads, filter belt, filter cloth, filter cake or carbon.
  • the manufacturers and owners of metallurgical separation process equipment will 30 be able to provide metallurgical separation process equipment with a measurement arrangement producing more reliable measurement data for monitoring of a metallurgical separation process in a metallurgical separation process equipment.
  • the solution according to the present invention may be utilised in any kind of metallurgical separation process equipment.

Abstract

The present invention relates to the field of mineral engineering and metallurgy and metallurgical technologies in general and to extraction of metal com¬ pounds from ores or concentrates by metallurgical processes, and more particularly to a method and an arrangement for monitoring of a metallurgical separation process. An arrangement for monitoring of a metallurgical separation process according to the present invention comprises at least one X-ray tube (23), (25), (27), (29), (34), (40), (42) arranged to transmit X-ray radiation into of said metallurgical process separation equipment (7), (19), (31), (36), and at least one X-ray sensor unit (24), (26), (28), (30), (35), (41), (43) arranged opposite to said at least one X-ray tube (23), (25), (27), (29), (34), (40), (42), said at least one X-ray sensor unit (24), (26), (28), (30), (35), (41), (43) arranged to detect X-ray radiation travelling inside said metallurgical separation process equipment (7), (19), (31), (36) and through at least a portion of said metallurgical separation process medium (8), (11), (12), (22), (33), (38), (39).

Description

A METHOD AND AN ARRANGEMENT FOR MONITORING OF A METALLURGICAL SEPARATION PROCESS
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to the field of mineral engineering and metallurgy and metallurgical technologies in general and to extraction of metal compounds from ores or concentrates by metallurgical processes, and more particularly to a method and an arrangement for monitoring of a metallurgical separation process.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Metallurgical technologies are used for obtaining or extracting metal compounds from their ores. Metallurgy is typically divided into four general areas: mineral processing, hydrometallurgy, pyrometallurgy and electrometallurgy. In the prior art here are no adequate solutions for monitoring of a metallurgical separation process. In general, there are several problems with the prior art solutions for monitoring the metallurgical separation process. None of the current monitoring solutions provide enough information of the status of the metallurgical separation process. With the current monitoring solutions it is not possible to acquire information on the condition or the development of the metallurgical separation process equipment, such as e.g. an ion exchange col- umn, a vertical filter, a pressure filter, a leaching reactor, a gold leaching reactor or a dual media adsorption filter. In particular, with the current monitoring solutions it is not possible to acquire information on the condition or the development of the metallurgical separation process medium, such as e.g. ion- exchange beads, filter belt, filter cloth, filter cake or carbon.
The problem therefore is to find a solution for an adequate measuring arrangement in a metallurgical separation process which can provide continuously reliable measurement data for monitoring the metallurgical separation process equipment, the metallurgical separation process medium and the metallurgical separation process in general.
There is a demand in the market for a method for monitoring of a metallurgical separation process which method would be continuous, reliable and informative measurement when compared to the prior art solutions. Likewise, there is a demand in the market for an arrangement for monitoring of a metallurgical separation process which arrangement would be reliable and in- formative measurement when compared to the prior art solutions. BRI EF DESCRI PTION OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is thus to provide a method and an apparatus for implementing the method so as to overcome the above problems and to alleviate the above disadvantages.
The objects of the invention are achieved by a method for monitoring of a metallurgical separation process using a metallurgical separation process medium comprising the step of:
- feeding a metallurgical separation process equipment comprising said metallurgical separation process medium with metallurgical process sub- stance;
which method also comprises the steps of:
- transmitting X-ray radiation into of said metallurgical process equipment by at least one X-ray tube; and
- detecting X-ray radiation travelling inside said metallurgical sepa- ration process equipment and through at least a portion of said metallurgical separation process medium by at least one X-ray sensor unit arranged opposite to said at least one X-ray tube; and
- providing a two- or three-dimensional image related to the attenuation of X-rays by the metallurgical separation process medium in said metallur- gical process equipment based on said detected X-ray radiation data.
Preferably, the method comprises the step of:
- providing a two- or three-dimensional image related to the attenuation of X-rays by the metallurgical process substance inside or on said metallurgical separation process medium based on said detected X-ray radiation data.
Preferably, the method comprises the step of:
- controlling said metallurgical separation process based on the detected X-ray radiation data.
Preferably in the method, said metallurgical separation process equipment is an ion exchange column or an adsorption column. Alternatively in the method, said metallurgical separation process equipment is a metallurgical moving belt filter. Alternatively in the method, said metallurgical separation process equipment is a disc filter or a ceramic disc filter. Alternatively in the method, said metallurgical separation process equipment is a pressure filter. Alternatively in the method, said metallurgical separation process equipment is a leaching reactor. Alternatively in the method, said metallurgical separation process equipment is an adsorption filter.
Furthermore, the objects of the invention are achieved by an arrangement for monitoring of a metallurgical separation process using a metal- lurgical separation process medium in metallurgical separation process equipment, which arrangement comprises:
- at least one X-ray tube arranged to transmit X-ray radiation into of said metallurgical process equipment,
- at least one X-ray sensor unit arranged opposite to said at least one X-ray tube, said at least one X-ray sensor unit arranged to detect X-ray radiation travelling inside said metallurgical separation process equipment and through at least a portion of said metallurgical separation process medium, and
- a sensor data processing unit, which said sensor data processing unit provides a two- or three dimensional image related to the attenuation of X- rays by the metallurgical process substance inside or on the said metallurgical separation process medium.
Preferably, said arrangement comprises a sensor data processing unit, which said sensor data processing unit controls said metallurgical separation process based on the detected X-ray radiation data.
Preferably, phase boundaries, distribution of solid content and/or density and/or water content in the metallurgical process substance inside or on said metallurgical separation process medium is/are calculated based on the detected X-ray radiation data. Preferably, the formation of accumulated solids in said metallurgical separation process equipment is calculated based on the detected X-ray radiation data. Preferably, the degree of swelling of said metallurgical separation process medium is calculated based on the detected X-ray radiation data.
Preferably, the X-rays from said at least one X-ray tube are colli- mated into a narrow beam in at least one dimension when propagating inside said metallurgical separation process equipment and through at least a portion of said metallurgical separation process medium. Preferably, said at least one X-ray tube is arranged to move or turn in order to transmit X-ray radiation in multiple directions. Preferably, said at least one X-ray sensor unit is arranged to move or turn. Preferably, said at least one X-ray tube and said least one X- ray sensor unit are realized as at least one X-ray measurement unit or as at least one movable X-ray measurement unit. Preferably in the arrangement, said metallurgical separation process equipment is an ion exchange column or an adsorption column. Alternatively in the arrangement, said metallurgical separation process equipment is a metallurgical moving belt filter. Alternatively in the arrangement, said metallurgical separation process equipment is a disc filter or a ceramic disc filter. Alternatively in the arrangement, said metallurgical separation process equipment is a stationary filter cloth filter or a stationary filter cloth filter supporting an adsorbent. Alternatively in the arrangement, said metallurgical separation process equipment is a pressure filter. Alternatively in the arrangement, said metallur- gical separation process equipment is a leaching reactor. Alternatively in the arrangement, said metallurgical separation process equipment is an adsorption filter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 shows a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of an ar- rangement for monitoring of a metallurgical separation process according to the present invention;
Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of an arrangement for monitoring of a metallurgical separation process according to the present invention;
Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view of a third embodiment of an arrangement for monitoring of a metallurgical separation process according to the present invention;
Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional view of a fourth embodiment of an arrangement for monitoring of a metallurgical separation process according to the present invention;
Figure 5 shows a cross-sectional view of a fifth embodiment of an arrangement for monitoring of a metallurgical separation process according to the present invention; and
Figure 6 shows a cross-sectional view of a sixth embodiment of an arrangement for monitoring of a metallurgical separation process according to the present invention.
In the following, the invention will be described in greater detail by means of preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings of Figures 1 to 6. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a method and an arrangement for monitoring of a metallurgical separation process. In the context of the present invention a metallurgical separation process is defined as any metallurgical process for separating metals or desired materials from a metallurgical process substance, such as a metallurgical sorption process. Respectively, in the context of the present invention a metallurgical process substance is defined as any material in a process stream fed into or out from a metallurgical process, in the form of gas, liquid, particulate solid or any mixture of these. Respectively, in the context of the present invention a metallurgical separation process me- dium is defined as a medium used in separation of metals or desired materials in a metallurgical separation process. A metallurgical separation process medium may be a filter belt, a filter cloth, or a solid sorbent e.g. an ion-exchange resin, an inorganic adsorbent, an activated carbon, a silica based sorbent or a coalescing material.
Metallurgical separation processes may be used in any technological areas of metallurgy, such as for example in mineral processing, in hydro- metallurgy, in pyro metallurgy and in electrometallurgy. Mineral processing consists of initially breaking down the ore to smaller sizes depending on the concentration process to be followed, by crushing, grinding, sieving, separation by flotation, magnetic and/or gravity separation, solid-liquid separation by thickening, filtration and water treatment, et cetera. Hydrometallurgical processes involve the use of aqueous chemistry for the recovery of metals from ores, concentrates, and recycled or residual materials by leaching, solution purification, dewatering, recovery, ion exchange and filtering technologies, et cetera. Here hydrometallurgy is understood to include also all the wet mineral grinding and separation processes prior to leaching, solution purification, recovery and effluent treatment technologies. Pyrometallurgical processes involve high temperature processes where chemical reactions take place among gases, solids, and molten materials. Electrometallurgy involves processes that take place in some form of electrolytic cell. The most common electro metallurgical processes are electrowinning and electrorefining.
Leaching involves the use of aqueous solutions, which contain a lix- iviant brought into contact with particulate solid material, part of which is soluble in the lixiviant. There are a number of leaching process options available for the hydrometallurgical treatment of ores and concentrates. In the leaching process, oxidation potential, temperature, and pH of the solution are important parameters. There are several leaching methods utilizing lixiviants such as sulfuric acid, chloride and cyanide, at atmospheric or elevated pressure. Leaching technologies include the leaching of e.g. zinc, copper, nickel, cobalt, gold, silver, molybdenum, uranium, manganese, rare earth elements and syn- thetic rutile.
Typical adsorbents and solid ion exchangers are synthetic adsorbents and synthetic ion exchange resins, zeolites, clays, activated carbons and anthracites. Most commonly the adsorbents and ion exchangers are packed in columns, e.g. ion exchange columns used in hydrometallurgy or using synthet- ic ion exchange resins in a packed vertical ion exchange column. The adsorbent is in some applications fluidized in the fluid, like e.g. in a Carbon-in-Leach process, or placed on a mechanical filter material.
Filtration is a mechanical or physical operation used for the separation of solids from fluids by interposing a medium through which only the fluid can pass. The fluid that passes through is called the filtrate. Oversize solids in the fluid are retained, but the separation is not complete; solids will be contaminated with some fluid and filtrate will contain fine particles. Another method of applying filtration is to combine adsorption and filtration so that the filter cloth acts as a support for a layer of particles that act as adsorbents or ion exchang- ers which remove impurities from the fluid passing through the filter. In mining and in metallurgy the separation of solid and liquid substances has become a critical process in the path towards more efficient processing of valuable metals.
Figure 1 shows a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of an ar- rangement for monitoring of a metallurgical separation process according to the present invention. A metallurgical separation process equipment 7 according to the present embodiment is an ion exchange column 7 filled with metallurgical separation process medium 8, i.e. ion-exchange beads 8. The ion exchange column 7 according to the present embodiment has an input 9 for feed- ing metallurgical separation process substance into said ion exchange column 7. The metallurgical separation process substance typically contains dissolved metal or metals. In the metallurgical separation process equipment according to the present embodiment the ion-exchange beads 8 exchange ions with the metallurgical separation process substance flowing downwards in the ion ex- change column 7. The ion exchange column 7 according to the present em- bodiment has an output 10 for an outlet of the metallurgical separation process substance from said ion exchange column 7.
In Figure 1 the loaded ion-exchange beads 1 1 are shown as filled black spheres. Respectively the unloaded ion-exchange beads 8 are shown as open white spheres. The boundary between the loaded ion-exchange beads 1 1 and unloaded ion-exchange beads 8 is the so called working zone of said ion exchange column 7.
At the end of operation the metallurgical separation process medium 8, i.e. ion-exchange beads 8 have adsorbed metals to their capacity and some of the ions from the metallurgical separation process substance feed breakthrough and escape into the pure solution of output 10 of said ion exchange column 7. As this so called "break-through"-level has been reached the operation of the ion exchange column 7 is stopped and the ion exchange column 7 is then taken off-line and is backwashed, regenerated and rinsed before being put back into service.
The arrangement for monitoring of a metallurgical separation process according to the present embodiment comprises at least one X-ray tube 23. In the present embodiment said at least one X-ray tube 23 is arranged to transmit X-ray radiation into of said metallurgical separation process equip- ment 7. Said at least one X-ray tube 23 is an X-ray tube suitable for X-ray imaging. Said at least one X-ray tube 23 may have a point focus and may be equipped with a collimator that limits the X-ray beam to a desired direction.
The arrangement for monitoring of a metallurgical separation process according to the present embodiment comprises at least one X-ray sen- sor unit 24, said at least one X-ray sensor unit 24 opposing said at least one X- ray tube 23. In the present embodiment said at least one X-ray sensor unit 24 is arranged to detect X-ray radiation travelling inside said metallurgical separation process equipment 7. Said at least one X-ray sensor unit 24 is an X-ray sensor unit suitable for X-ray imaging. Said at least one X-ray sensor unit 24 may comprise at least two, preferably more than 31 , more preferably more than 127, detectors that measure the intensity of X-ray radiation.
In the arrangement for monitoring of a metallurgical separation process according to the present embodiment the X-rays from said at least one X- ray tube 23 may be collimated into a narrow beam in at least one dimension when propagating inside said metallurgical separation process equipment 7 thus minimizing the the amount of radiation to other directions than the detec- tor. Furthermore, said at least one X-ray tube 23 may be arranged to move or turn in order to transmit X-ray radiation in multiple directions.
In the embodiment presented in Figure 1 at least one X-ray sensor unit 24 of said metallurgical separation process equipment 7 detects X-ray ra- diation transmitted by said opposing at least one X-ray tube 23, said X-ray radiation travelling inside said metallurgical separation process equipment 7.
From the detected X-ray radiation data a sensor data processing unit can provide a two-dimensional image related to the attenuation of X-rays by the metallurgical separation process substance in the metallurgical separa- tion process medium 8 inside said metallurgical separation process equipment 7 based on the detected X-ray radiation data. Furthermore, said at least one X- ray sensor unit 24 may be arranged to move or turn in order to sense and provide a two- or three-dimensional image. Said at least one X-ray tube 23 and the at least one X-ray sensor unit 24 may be realized as at least one X-ray measurement unit or as at least one movable X-ray measurement unit.
Said image provided by said at least one X-ray sensor unit 24 gives information for the calculation, monitoring and controlling of process, e.g. of the need for a backwash and/or of the accumulated solids and/or of the degree of swelling in metallurgical separation process medium 8, 1 1 . Furthermore, said image provided by said at least one X-ray sensor unit 24 gives information for the calculation for measurement of the working zone location border between the loaded ion-exchange beads 1 1 and unloaded ion-exchange beads 8 in said ion exchange column 7.
Determining the working zone of the ion exchange column 7 online with the help of said image provided by said at least one X-ray sensor unit 24 gives an opportunity to follow the process behaviour, to detect abnormal situations and to make corrective actions in time. Online measurement will also give a long time average measurement result instead of an instantaneous indication. Furthermore, said image provided by said at least one X-ray sensor unit 24 gives information about the degree of swelling in said ion exchange column 7. Especially, when using e.g. polymeric ion exchange resins the swelling reveals crucial information about the ion exchange process and the condition of the ion exchange resin. Furthermore, said metallurgical separation process equipment 7 can also be an adsorption column 7 filled with metallurgical sepa- ration process medium 8, 1 1 , i.e. adsorbents 8, 1 1 . Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of an arrangement for monitoring of a metallurgical separation process according to the present invention. Metallurgical separation process equipment according to the present another embodiment is a metallurgical moving belt filter. The met- allurgical moving belt filter according to the present another embodiment comprises a moving filter belt 12 and a feed input 14 onto which metallurgical separation process substance 13, i.e. process slurry 13 is applied. Said metallurgical separation process substance 13 travels as and even process substance bed 15 on said moving filter belt 12 and is subjected to a vacuum dewatering and drying process using a vacuum box 16. As said even process substance bed 15 dries it forms filter cakes 17, which filter cakes 17 are discharged from the moving filter belt 12 at the end of the filter. The metallurgical moving belt filter according to the prior art may also comprise a filter belt washing element 18 for washing of the moving filter belt 12.
The arrangement for monitoring of a metallurgical separation process according to the present another embodiment comprises at least one X- ray tube 25. In the present another embodiment said at least one X-ray tube 25 is arranged to transmit X-ray radiation towards the moving filter belt 12 of said metallurgical separation process equipment, i.e. metallurgical moving belt filter. Said at least one X-ray tube 25 is an X-ray tube suitable for X-ray imaging. Said at least one X-ray tube 25 may have a point focus and may be equipped with a collimator that limits the X-ray beam to a desired direction.
The arrangement for monitoring of a metallurgical separation process according to the present another embodiment comprises at least one X- ray sensor unit 26, said at least one X-ray sensor unit 26 opposing said at least one X-ray tube 25. In the present another embodiment said at least one X-ray sensor unit 26 is arranged to detect X-ray radiation travelled through the moving filter belt 12 of said metallurgical separation process equipment, i.e. metallurgical moving belt filter. Furthermore, said at least one X-ray sensor unit 26 is arranged to detect X-ray radiation travelled through the moving filter belt 12 of said metallurgical separation process equipment and through the filter cakes 17 of the dried process substance bed 15. Said at least one X-ray sensor unit 26 is an X-ray sensor unit suitable for X-ray imaging. Said at least one X-ray sensor unit 26 may comprise at least two, preferably more than 31 , more pref- erably more than 127, detectors that measure the intensity of X-ray radiation. In the arrangement for monitoring of a metallurgical separation process according to the present another embodiment the X-rays from said at least one X-ray tube 25 may be collimated into a narrow beam in at least one dimension when propagating through said moving filter belt 12 thus minimizing the amount of radiation to other directions than the detector. Furthermore, said at least one X-ray line transmission source 25 may be arranged to move or turn in order to transmit X-ray radiation in multiple directions.
In the embodiment presented in Figure 2 at least one X-ray sensor unit 26 of said metallurgical separation process equipment detects X-ray radia- tion transmitted by said opposing at least one X-ray tube 25, said X-ray radiation having travelled through said moving filter belt 12.
From the detected X-ray radiation data a sensor data processing unit can provide a two-dimensional image related to the attenuation of X-rays by the metallurgical separation process substance in the metallurgical separa- tion process medium 15, i.e. the dried process substance bed 15, on said metallurgical separation process equipment, i.e. the moving filter belt 12 based on the detected X-ray radiation data. Furthermore, said at least one X-ray sensor unit 26 may be arranged to move or turn in order to sense and provide a two- or three-dimensional image. Said at least one X-ray tube 25 and the at least one X-ray sensor unit 26 may be realized as at least one X-ray measurement unit or as at least one movable X-ray measurement unit.
Said image provided by said at least one X-ray sensor unit 26 gives information for the calculation, monitoring and controlling of process, e.g. of the need for a moving filter belt change and/or the thickness of the filter filter cakes 17 of the dried metallurgical process substance 13, 15. Determining the need for a moving filter belt change online with the help of said image provided by said at least one X-ray sensor unit 26 gives an opportunity to follow the process behaviour, to detect abnormal situations and to make corrective actions in time. Online measurement will also give a long time average measurement result instead of an instantaneous indication.
Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view of a third embodiment of an arrangement for monitoring of a metallurgical separation process according to the present invention. Metallurgical separation process equipment according to the third embodiment is a metallurgical moving belt filter. The metallurgical moving belt filter according to the third embodiment comprises a moving filter belt 12 and a feed input 14 onto which metallurgical separation process sub- stance 13, i.e. process slurry 13 is applied. Said metallurgical separation process substance 13 travels as and even process substance bed 15 on said moving filter belt 12 and is subjected to a vacuum dewatering and drying process using a vacuum box 16. As said even process substance bed 15 dries it forms filter cakes 17, which filter cakes 17 are discharged from the moving filter belt 12 at the end of the filter. The metallurgical moving belt filter according to the prior art may also comprise a filter belt washing element 18 for washing of the moving filter belt 12.
The arrangement for monitoring of a metallurgical separation pro- cess according to the third embodiment comprises at least one X-ray tube 25, 27. In the third embodiment said at least one X-ray tube 25, 27 is arranged to transmit X-ray radiation towards the moving filter belt 12 of said metallurgical separation process equipment, i.e. metallurgical moving belt filter. Said at least one X-ray tube 25, 27 is an X-ray tube suitable for X-ray imaging. Said at least one X-ray tube 25, 27 may have a point focus and may be equipped with a collimator that limits the X-ray beam to a desired direction.
The arrangement for monitoring of a metallurgical separation process according to the third embodiment comprises at least one X-ray sensor unit 26, 28, said at least one X-ray sensor unit 26, 28 opposing said at least one X-ray tube 25, 27. In the third embodiment said at least one X-ray sensor unit 26, 28 is arranged to detect X-ray radiation travelled through the moving filter belt 12 of said metallurgical separation process equipment, i.e. metallurgical moving belt filter. Especially, a first X-ray sensor unit 26 of said at least one X-ray sensor unit 26, 28 is arranged to detect X-ray radiation transmitted by a first X-ray tube 25 of said at least one X-ray tube 25, 27, said detect X-ray radiation having travelled through the moving filter belt 12 of said metallurgical separation process equipment and through the filter cakes 17 of the dried process substance bed 15. Furthermore, a second X-ray sensor unit 28 of said at least one X-ray sensor unit 26, 28 is arranged to detect X-ray radiation trans- mitted by a second X-ray tube 27 of said at least one X-ray tube 25, 27, said detect X-ray radiation having travelled through the washed moving filter belt 12 of said metallurgical separation process equipment. Said at least one X-ray sensor unit 26, 28 is an X-ray sensor unit suitable for X-ray imaging. Said at least one X-ray sensor unit 26, 28 may comprise at least two, preferably more than 31 , more preferably more than 127, detectors that measure the intensity of X-ray radiation. In the arrangement for monitoring of a metallurgical separation process according to the third embodiment the X-rays from said at least one X-ray tube 25, 27 may be collimated into a narrow beam in at least one dimension when propagating through said moving filter belt 12 thus minimizing the the amount of radiation to other directions than the detector. Furthermore, said at least one X-ray tube 25, 27 may be arranged to move or turn in order to transmit X-ray radiation in multiple directions.
In the embodiment presented in Figure 3 at least one X-ray sensor unit 26, 28 of said metallurgical separation process equipment detects an X- ray radiation transmitted by said opposing at least one X-ray tube unit 25, 27, said X-ray radiation having travelled through said moving filter belt 12.
From the detected X-ray radiation data a sensor data processing unit can provide a two-dimensional image related to the attenuation of X-rays by the metallurgical separation process substance in the metallurgical separa- tion process medium 15, i.e. the dried process substance bed 15, on said metallurgical separation process equipment, i.e. the moving filter belt 12 based on the detected X-ray radiation data. Furthermore, said at least one X-ray sensor unit 26, 28 may be arranged to move or turn in order to sense and provide a two- or three-dimensional image. Said at least one X-ray tube 25, 27 and the at least one X-ray sensor unit 26, 28 may be realized as at least one X-ray measurement unit or as at least one movable X-ray measurement unit.
Said image provided by said at least one X-ray sensor unit 26, 28 gives information for the calculation, monitoring and controlling of process, e.g. of the need for a moving filter belt change and/or the thickness of the filter filter cakes 17 of the dried metallurgical process substance 13, 15. Determining the need for a moving filter belt change online with the help of said image provided by said at least one X-ray sensor unit 26, 28 gives an opportunity to follow the process behaviour, to detect abnormal situations and to make corrective actions in time. Online measurement will also give a long time average meas- urement result instead of an instantaneous indication.
Metallurgical separation process equipment according to the present invention may also be a disc filter or a ceramic disc filter, such as e.g. a capillary action disc filter. In a disc filter embodiment the at least one X-ray tube is arranged to transmit X-ray radiation towards a rotating disc of said met- allurgical separation process equipment, i.e. disc filter. Furthermore, in a disc filter embodiment the at least one X-ray sensor unit may be opposing said at least one X-ray tube and arranged to detect X-ray radiation transmitted by said at least one X-ray tube said detect X-ray radiation having travelled through a rotating disc of said disc filter and through the filter cake of the dried process substance formed on said rotating disc.
Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional view of a fourth embodiment of an arrangement for monitoring of a metallurgical separation process according to the present invention. Metallurgical separation process equipment according to the fourth embodiment is a pressure filter 19 filled with metallurgical separation process substance 20, e.g. process slurry 20. The pressure filter 19 according to the fourth embodiment has an input/output 21 for feeding metallurgical separation process substance 20 into said pressure filter 19. The pressure filter 19 according to the fourth embodiment also has at least one filter leave element 22, which at least one filter leave element 22 is used as a metallurgical separation process medium 22 for filtering the metallurgical separation process sub- stance 20. In the metallurgical separation process equipment according to the fourth embodiment there is a pressure applied in said pressure filter 19 so that there is a flow of said metallurgical separation process substance 20 through said at least one filter leave element 22. Said at least one filter leave element 22 filters with metallurgical separation process substance 20 so that there is a filtration cake formed on said at least one filter leave element 22.
The arrangement for monitoring of a metallurgical separation process according to the fourth embodiment comprises at least one X-ray tube 29. In the fourth embodiment said at least one X-ray tube 29 is arranged to transmit X-ray radiation towards the at least one filter leave element 22 of said met- allurgical separation process equipment, i.e. pressure filter. Said at least one X-ray tube 29 is an X-ray tube suitable for X-ray imaging. Said at least one X- ray tube 29 may have a point focus and may be equipped with a collimator that limits the X-ray beam to a desired direction.
The arrangement for monitoring of a metallurgical separation pro- cess according to the fourth embodiment comprises at least one X-ray sensor unit 30, said at least one X-ray sensor unit 30 opposing said at least one X-ray tube 29. In the fourth embodiment said at least one X-ray sensor unit 30 is arranged to detect X-ray radiation travelled through the at least one filter leave element 22 of said metallurgical separation process equipment 19, i.e. pres- sure filter 19. Furthermore, said at least one X-ray sensor unit 30 is arranged to detect X-ray radiation travelled through the at least one filter leave element 22 of said metallurgical separation process equipment and through the filtration cake formed on said at least one filter leave element 22. Said at least one X- ray sensor unit 30 is an X-ray sensor unit suitable for X-ray imaging. Said at least one X-ray sensor unit 30 may comprise at least two, preferably more than 31 , more preferably more than 127, detectors that measure the intensity of X- ray radiation.
In the arrangement for monitoring of a metallurgical separation process according to the fourth embodiment the X-rays from said at least one X- ray tube 29 may be collimated into a narrow beam in at least one dimension when propagating through said at least one filter leave element 22 22 thus minimizing the amount of radiation to other directions than the detector. Furthermore, said at least one X-ray tube 29 may be arranged to move or turn in order to transmit X-ray radiation in multiple directions.
In the embodiment presented in Figure 4 at least one X-ray sensor unit 30 of said metallurgical separation process equipment 7 detects an X-ray radiation transmitted by said opposing at least one X-ray tube unit 29, said X- ray radiation having travelled through said at least one filter leave element 22 and through said filtration cake formed on said at least one filter leave element 22.
From the detected X-ray radiation data a sensor data processing unit can provide a two-dimensional image related to the attenuation of X-rays by the metallurgical separation process substance in the metallurgical separation process medium, i.e. the filtration cake formed on said at least one filter leave element 22 based on the detected X-ray radiation data. Furthermore, said at least one X-ray sensor unit 30 may be arranged to move or turn in order to sense and provide a two- or three-dimensional image. Said at least one X-ray tube 29 and the at least one X-ray sensor unit 30 may be realized as at least one X-ray measurement unit or as at least one movable X-ray measurement unit.
Said image provided by said at least one X-ray sensor unit 30 gives information for the calculation, monitoring and controlling of process, e.g. of the need for a moving filter belt change and/or of the accumulated solids and/or of the degree of swelling in metallurgical separation process medium 22 and/or of the degree of swelling in the metallurgical process substance 20. Determining the need for a filter leave element wash online with the help of said image provided by said at least one X-ray sensor unit 30 gives an opportunity to follow the process behaviour, to detect abnormal situations and to make corrective actions in time. The arrangement for monitoring of a metallurgical separation process according to the present embodiment enables the monitoring of the porosity and composition of the filter the filtration cake formed on said at least one filter leave element 22 and can also enable the prediction of the collapse of said filtration cake. Online measurement will also give a long time average measurement result instead of an instantaneous indication.
Figure 5 shows a cross-sectional view of a fifth embodiment of an arrangement for monitoring of a metallurgical separation process according to the present invention. Metallurgical separation process equipment according to the fifth embodiment is a leaching reactor 31 with the adsorbent mixed in the slurry, such as e.g. a gold leaching reactor 31 filled with metallurgical separation process substance 32 i.e. slurry 32, e.g. leach liquor 32. In the leaching reactor 31 the adsorbent is mixed in the slurry 32, e.g. in the gold leaching re- actor 31 there is carbon adsorbent is mixed in the leach liquor 32 The metallurgical separation process can for example be a Carbon In Leach (CIL) gold recovery process. The leaching reactor 31 , e.g. gold leaching reactor 31 according to the fifth embodiment has metallurgical separation process medium 33, e.g. carbon 33 acting as an adsorbent in said leaching reactor 31 , e.g. gold leaching reactor 31 . The metallurgical separation process medium 33, e.g. carbon 33 acts like a sponge to aurocyanide and other complex ions in solution. In a Carbon In Leach (CIL) gold recovery process the gold cyanide complex is adsorbed onto the carbon until it comes to equilibrium with the gold in solution. Because the carbon particles are much larger than the ore particles, the coarse carbon can then be separated from the slurry by screening e.g. using a wire mesh.
The arrangement for monitoring of a metallurgical separation process according to the fifth embodiment comprises at least one X-ray tube 34. In the fifth embodiment said at least one X-ray tube 34 is arranged inside said metallurgical separation process equipment 31 . Said at least one X-ray tube 34 is arranged to transmit X-ray radiation into of said metallurgical separation process equipment 31 . Said at least one X-ray tube 34 is an X-ray tube suitable for X-ray imaging. Said at least one X-ray tube 34 may have a point focus and may be equipped with a collimator that limits the X-ray beam to a desired di- rection. The arrangement for monitoring of a metallurgical separation process according to the fifth embodiment comprises at least one X-ray sensor unit 35, said at least one X-ray sensor unit 35 opposing said at least one X-ray tube 34. In the fifth embodiment said at least one X-ray sensor unit 35 is at- tached at a frame structure of said metallurgical separation process equipment 31 . Said at least one X-ray sensor unit 35 is arranged to detect X-ray radiation travelling inside said metallurgical separation process equipment 31 . Said at least one X-ray sensor unit 35 is an X-ray sensor unit suitable for X-ray imaging. Said at least one X-ray sensor unit 35 may comprise at least two, prefera- bly more than 31 , more preferably more than 127, detectors that measure the intensity of X-ray radiation.
Said at least one X-ray sensor unit 35 may be attached to said frame structure so that said at least one X-ray sensor unit 35 is inside said metallurgical separation process equipment 31 or as shown in the Figure 5 so that said at least one X-ray sensor unit 35 is outside said metallurgical separation process equipment 31 . In the latter the frame structure of said metallurgical separation process equipment 31 may comprise one or more window portions, which said one or more window portions are manufactured of material, which does not absorb the X-rays and allows the X-rays travel through the frame structure of said metallurgical separation process equipment 31 . Said one or more window portions may be manufactured of polymeric material, glass, aluminium, ceramics or composite.
In an alternative embodiment of an arrangement for monitoring of a metallurgical separation process in a metallurgical separation process vessel said at least one X-ray sensor unit 35 is arranged inside said metallurgical separation process equipment 31 and said at least one X-ray tube 34 is attached at a frame structure of said metallurgical separation process equipment 31 .
In the arrangement for monitoring of a metallurgical separation pro- cess according to the fifth embodiment the X-rays from said at least one X-ray tube 34 may be collimated into a narrow beam in at least one dimension when propagating inside said metallurgical separation process equipment 31 thus minimizing the the amount of radiation to other directions than the detector. Furthermore, said at least one X-ray tube 34 may be arranged to move or turn in order to transmit X-ray radiation in multiple directions. In the embodiment presented in Figure 5 at least one X-ray sensor unit 35 of said metallurgical separation process equipment 31 detects an X-ray radiation transmitted by said opposing at least one X-ray tube unit 34, said X- ray radiation travelling inside said metallurgical separation process equipment 31 .
From the detected X-ray radiation data a sensor data processing unit can provide a two-dimensional image related to the attenuation of X-rays by the metallurgical separation process substance in the metallurgical separation process medium 33 inside said metallurgical separation process equip- ment 31 based on the detected X-ray radiation signal data. Furthermore, said at least one X-ray sensor unit 35 may be arranged to move or turn in order to sense and provide a two- or three-dimensional image. Said at least one X-ray tube 34 and the at least one X-ray sensor unit 35 may be realized as at least one X-ray measurement unit or as at least one movable X-ray measurement unit.
Said image provided by said at least one X-ray sensor unit 35 gives information for the calculation, monitoring and controlling of process, e.g. of the need for a change of leach liquor 32 and/or need for a change of carbon 33 and/or of the accumulated solids and/or of the degree of swelling in metallurgi- cal separation process medium 33 and/or of the degree of swelling in the metallurgical process substance 32. Determining the need for a change of leach liquor 32 and/or carbon 33 online with the help of said image provided by said at least one X-ray sensor unit 35 gives an opportunity to follow the process behaviour, to detect abnormal situations and to make corrective actions in time. Online measurement will also give a long time average measurement result instead of an instantaneous indication.
Figure 6 shows a cross-sectional view of a sixth embodiment of an arrangement for monitoring of a metallurgical separation process according to the present invention. Metallurgical separation process equipment according to the sixth embodiment is an adsorption filter 36, filled with metallurgical separation process substance 37, i.e. electrolyte 37. The adsorption filter 36 according to the sixth embodiment is a dual media adsorption filter having a first metallurgical separation process medium layer 38 for coalescing and a second metallurgical separation process medium layer 39 for filtration. Said first metal- lurgical separation process medium layer 38 provides for organic removal and may comprise e.g. anthracite 38 or other metallurgical separation process me- dium 38 suitable for coalescence. Said second metallurgical separation process medium layer 39 provides for electrolyte filtration and may comprise e.g. garnet 39 or other metallurgical separation process medium 39 suitable for electrolyte filtration.
The adsorption filter 36 according to the sixth embodiment has an outlet on the top part for organic recovery. The organic substance in said metallurgical separation process substance rises upwards with the air droplets due to the coalescing phenomena. The organic substance is retrieved through organic recovery outlet. Said second metallurgical separation process medium layer 39 provides for filtering of the organic substance still present in the electrolyte 37.
The arrangement for monitoring of a metallurgical separation process according to the sixth embodiment comprises at least one X-ray tube 40, 42. In the sixth embodiment said at least one X-ray tube 40, 42 is arranged inside said metallurgical separation process equipment 36. Said at least one X- ray tube 40, 42 is arranged to transmit X-ray radiation into of said metallurgical separation process equipment 36. Said at least one X-ray tube 40, 42 is an X- ray tube suitable for X-ray imaging. Said at least one X-ray tube 40, 42 may have a point focus and may be equipped with a collimator that limits the X-ray beam to a desired direction.
The arrangement for monitoring of a metallurgical separation process according to the sixth embodiment comprises at least one X-ray sensor unit 41 , 43, said at least one X-ray sensor unit 41 , 43 opposing said at least one X-ray tube 40, 42. In the sixth embodiment said at least one X-ray sensor unit 41 , 43 is attached at a frame structure of said metallurgical separation process equipment 36. Said at least one X-ray sensor unit 41 , 43 is arranged to detect X-ray radiation travelling inside said metallurgical separation process equipment 36. Said at least one X-ray sensor unit 41 , 43 is an X-ray sensor unit suitable for X-ray imaging. Said at least one X-ray sensor unit 41 , 43 may comprise at least two, preferably more than 31 , more preferably more than 127, detectors that measure the intensity of X-ray radiation.
Said at least one X-ray sensor unit 41 , 43 may be attached to said frame structure so that said at least one X-ray sensor unit 41 , 43 is inside said metallurgical separation process equipment 36 or as shown in the Figure 6 so that said at least one X-ray sensor unit 41 , 43 is outside said metallurgical separation process equipment 36. In the latter the frame structure of said met- allurgical separation process equipment 36 may comprise one or more window portions, which said one or more window portions are manufactured of material, which does not absorb the X-rays and allows the X-rays travel through the frame structure of said metallurgical separation process equipment 36. Said one or more window portions may be manufactured of polymeric material, glass, aluminium, ceramics or composite.
In an alternative embodiment of an arrangement for monitoring of a metallurgical separation process in a metallurgical separation process vessel said at least one X-ray sensor unit 41 , 43 is arranged inside said metallurgical separation process equipment 36 and said at least one X-ray tube 40, 42 is attached at a frame structure of said metallurgical separation process equipment 36.
In the arrangement for monitoring of a metallurgical separation process according to the sixth embodiment the X-rays from said at least one X-ray tube 40, 42 may be collimated into a narrow beam in at least one dimension when propagating inside said metallurgical separation process equipment 36 thus minimizing the the amount of radiation to other directions than the detector. Furthermore, said at least one X-ray tube 40, 42 may be arranged to move or turn in order to transmit X-ray radiation in multiple directions.
In the embodiment presented in Figure 6 at least one X-ray sensor unit 41 , 43 of said metallurgical separation process equipment 36 detects an X-ray radiation transmitted by said opposing at least one X-ray tube unit 40, 42, said X-ray radiation travelling inside said metallurgical separation process equipment 36.
From the detected X-ray radiation data a sensor data processing unit can provide a two-dimensional image related to the attenuation of X-rays by the metallurgical separation process substance in the metallurgical separation process media 38, 39 inside said metallurgical separation process equipment 36 based on the detected X-ray radiation data. Furthermore, said at least one X-ray sensor unit 41 , 43 may be arranged to move or turn in order to sense and provide a two- or three-dimensional image. Said at least one X-ray tube 40, 42 and the at least one X-ray sensor unit 41 , 43 may be realized as at least one X-ray measurement unit or as at least one movable X-ray measurement unit.
Said image provided by said at least one X-ray sensor unit 41 , 43 gives information for the calculation, monitoring and controlling of process, e.g. need for a backwash or need for a change of first metallurgical separation process medium 38 and/or of the need for a change of second metallurgical separation process medium 39 and/or of the accumulated solids and/or of the degree of swelling in metallurgical separation process media 38, 39 and/or of the 5 degree of swelling in the metallurgical process substance 37. Determining the need for a backwash or need for a change of metallurgical separation process media 38, 39 online with the help of said image provided by said at least one X-ray sensor unit 41 , 43 gives an opportunity to follow the process behaviour, to detect abnormal situations and to make corrective actions in time. Online 10 measurement will also give a long time average measurement result instead of an instantaneous indication.
The solution for monitoring of a metallurgical separation process according to the present invention provides a continuous measurement of a meti s allurgical process substance in metallurgical separation process equipment, which is highly insensitive to dirt or contamination. The solution for monitoring of a metallurgical separation process according to the present invention provides reliable, online measurement data for the monitoring of the metallurgical separation process. The monitoring solution according to the present invention 20 provides reliable information on the condition or the development of the metallurgical separation process equipment, such as e.g. an ion exchange column, a vertical filter, a pressure filter, a leaching reactor with the adsorbent mixed in the slurry, a gold leaching reactor or a dual media adsorption filter. Furthermore, the monitoring solution according to the present invention also provides 25 reliable information on the condition or the development of the metallurgical separation process medium, such as e.g. ion-exchange beads, filter belt, filter cloth, filter cake or carbon.
With the help of the solution according to the present invention the manufacturers and owners of metallurgical separation process equipment will 30 be able to provide metallurgical separation process equipment with a measurement arrangement producing more reliable measurement data for monitoring of a metallurgical separation process in a metallurgical separation process equipment. The solution according to the present invention may be utilised in any kind of metallurgical separation process equipment.
35 It will be obvious to a person skilled in the art that, as the technology advances, the inventive concept can be implemented in various ways. The in- vention and its embodiments are not limited to the examples described above but may vary within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A method for monitoring of a metallurgical separation process using a metallurgical separation process medium (8), (11), (12), (22), (33), (38), (39) comprising the step of:
- feeding a metallurgical separation process equipment (7), (19),
(31) , (36) comprising said metallurgical separation process medium (8), (11), (12), (22), (33), (38), (39) with metallurgical process substance (13), (15), (20),
(32) , (37);
characterized by that the method comprises the steps of: - transmitting X-ray radiation into of said metallurgical separation process equipment (7), (19), (31), (36) by at least one X-ray tube (23), (25), (27), (29), (34), (40), (42);
- detecting X-ray radiation travelling inside said metallurgical separation process equipment (7), (19), (31), (36) and through at least a portion of said metallurgical separation process medium (8), (11), (12), (22), (33), (38), (39) by at least one X-ray sensor unit (24), (26), (28), (30), (35), (41), (43) arranged opposite to said at least one X-ray tube (18), (20), (22), (24), (29), (35); and
- providing a two- or three-dimensional image related to the attenua- tion of X-rays by the metallurgical separation process medium (8), (11), (12),
(22), (33), (38), (39) in said metallurgical separation process equipment (7), (19), (31), (36) based on said detected X-ray radiation data.
2. A method according to claim ^ characterized in that the method comprises the step of:
- providing a two- or three-dimensional image related to the attenuation of X-rays by the metallurgical process substance (13), (15), (20), (32), (37) inside or on said metallurgical separation process medium (8), (11), (12), (22),
(33) , (38), (39) based on said detected X-ray radiation data.
3. A method according to claim 1 or to claim 2, character- i z e d in that method comprises the step of:
- controlling said metallurgical separation process based on the detected X-ray radiation data.
4. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterize d in that said metallurgical separation process equipment (7) is an ion exchange column (7) or an adsorption column (7).
5. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said metallurgical separation process equipment is a metallurgical moving belt filter.
6. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, character- i z e d in that said metallurgical separation process equipment is a disc filter or a ceramic disc filter.
7. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said metallurgical separation process equipment (19) is a pressure filter (19).
8. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterize d in that said metallurgical separation process equipment (31) is a leaching reactor (31).
9. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterize d in that said metallurgical separation process equipment (36) is an ad- sorption filter (36).
10. An arrangement for monitoring of a metallurgical separation process using a metallurgical separation process medium (8), (11), (12), (22), (33), (38), (39) in a metallurgical separation process equipment (7), (19), (31), (36), characterized in that said arrangement comprises:
- at least one X-ray tube (23), (25), (27), (29), (34), (40), (42) arranged to transmit X-ray radiation into of said metallurgical separation process equipment (7), (19), (31), (36),
- at least one X-ray sensor unit (24), (26), (28), (30), (35), (41), (43) arranged opposite to said at least one X-ray tube (23), (25), (27), (29), (34), (40), (42), said at least one X-ray sensor unit (24), (26), (28), (30), (35), (41), (43) arranged to detect X-ray radiation travelling inside said metallurgical separation process equipment (7), (19), (31), (36) and through at least a portion of said metallurgical separation process medium (8), (11), (12), (22), (33), (38), (39), and
- a sensor data processing unit, which said sensor data processing unit provides a two- or three dimensional image related to the attenuation of X- rays by the metallurgical process substance (13), (15), (20), (32), (37) inside or on said metallurgical separation process medium (8), (11), (12), (22), (33), (38), (39).
11. An arrangement according to claim 10, characterized in that said arrangement comprises a sensor data processing unit, which said sensor data processing unit controls said metallurgical separation process based on the detected X-ray radiation data.
12. An arrangement according to claim 10 or to claim 11, characterized in that phase boundaries, distribution of solid content and/or density and/or water content in the metallurgical process substance (13), (15), (20), (32), (37) inside or on said metallurgical separation process medium (8), (11), (12), (22), (33), (38), (39) is calculated based on the detected X-ray radiation data.
13. An arrangement according to any one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that theformation of accumulated solids in said metallurgical separation process equipment (7), (19), (31), (36) is calculated based on the detected X-ray radiation data.
14. An arrangement according to any one of claims 10 to 13, characterized in that the degree of swelling of said metallurgical sepa- ration process medium (8), (11), (12), (22), (33), (38), (39) is/are calculated based on the detected X-ray radiation data .
15. An arrangement according to any one of claims 10 to 14, characterized in that the X-rays from said at least one X-ray tube (23), (25), (27), (29), (34), (40), (42) are collimated into a narrow beam in at least one dimension when propagating inside said metallurgical separation process equipment (7), (19), (31), (36) and through at least a portion of said metallurgical separation process medium (8), (11), (12), (22), (33), (38), (39).
16. An arrangement according to claim 15, characterized in that said at least one X-ray tube (23), (25), (27), (29), (34), (40), (42) is ar- ranged to move or turn in order to transmit X-ray radiation in multiple directions.
17. An arrangement according to any one of claims 10 to 16, characterized in that said at least one X-ray sensor unit (24), (26), (28), (30), (35), (41), (43) is arranged to move or turn.
18. An arrangement according to any one of claims 10 to 17, characterized in that said at least one X-ray tube (23), (25), (27), (29), (34), (40), (42) and said least one X-ray sensor unit (24), (26), (28), (30), (35), (41), (43) are realized as at least one X-ray measurement unit or as at least one movable X-ray measurement unit.
19. An arrangement according to any one of claims 10 to 18, characterized in that said metallurgical separation process equipment (7) is an ion exchange column (7) or an adsorption column (7).
20. An arrangement according to any one of claims 10 to 18, characterized in that said metallurgical separation process equipment is a metallurgical moving belt filter.
21. An arrangement according to any one of claims 10 to 18, characterized in that said metallurgical separation process equipment is a disc filter or a ceramic disc filter.
22. An arrangement according to any one of claims 10 to 18, characterized in that said metallurgical separation process equipment is a stationary filter cloth filter or a stationary filter cloth filter supporting an adsorbent.
23. An arrangement according to any one of claims 10 to 18, characterized in that said metallurgical separation process equipment
(19) is a pressure filter (19).
24. An arrangement according to any one of claims 10 to 18, characterized in that said metallurgical separation process equipment (31) is a leaching reactor (31).
25. An arrangement according to any one of claims 10 to 18, characterized in that said metallurgical separation process equipment (36) is an adsorption filter (36).
PCT/FI2016/050923 2015-12-23 2016-12-23 A method and an arrangement for monitoring of a metallurgical separation process WO2017109297A1 (en)

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