On Line Measurements of Size Distribution Using 3D Range Data
One desire that the mining industry has is to have control of the whole material flow in their processes. The term mine to mill is used to describe the process of blasting and crushing ore to sizes that is best for the mills efficiency. A crucial part to the mine to mill-concept is that accurate and reliable measurements of size distribution of different material is needed. Deviations in size distributions of fragmented ore are the most important disturbance in mill control around the world.
Today mechanical and also different 2D image analysis solutions are used. However, these methods are not satisfactory and 3D image analysis may be an important part in a reliable mill to mine-concept. Our proposal gives opportunities to online, reliable and accurate measurements in continuous process flows. The 3D information is analyzed online and allows process control in a closed loop.
Apart from the fragmented ore, analysis of green pellets will be performed. As the size of pellets is an important factor of the efficiency in blast furnaces a reliable and accurate method to measure pellets sizes would be very interesting for blast furnace control.
Project is funded by ProcessIT Innovations.
Partners: Boliden, LKAB, SSAB, SICK-IVP, MBV Systems, Monash University and LTU.
