Upload
others
View
12
Download
0
Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
LTM-2 Slurry Level Measurement Probe
Bill Hancock, PE, RM, QP, FAusIMM Zeroday Enterprises, LLC
www.ZerodayLLC.com
1
2
Zeroday Enterprises Background
Ø Zeroday Enterprises, LLCØ Wilsonville, Oregon USA headquartersØ Founded 2001Ø Business focuses:
§ Global: Chemical mix-equipment systems§ Western Hemisphere: LTM-2 probe, peristaltic pumps§ North America: exclusive LTM-2 probe reseller§ Alaska, Pacific NW, Intermountain West: flocculants, coagulants
Ø President, Bill Hancock:§ Metallurgist, process engineer§ 42 years mineral process operating/research and executive
experience§ International technical consultant, primarily flotation and water
treatmentØ Selling LTM-2 probes since 2013
3
What is LTM-2 Probe?
Ø LTM-2 measures liquid level, ignoring froth on top of the liquid
Ø Level Transmitter for Mining, second generation � LTM-2Ø Probe technology originally developed for beverage industryØ LTM-2 was specifically adapted to mineral slurry applicationsØ LTM-2 is an electro-potentiometric measurement deviceØ Slurry/water is conductive, able to transmit an electrical
currentØ Highest water level is measured using resistance principlesØ No moving parts, completely electronic detectionØ Able to handle mineral solids build up on probe, as well as,
soft scaleØ Effective in flotation cells and sumps
4
Operating Principle
Ø The rod is a variable resistor
Ø Conductive loop from the rod tip to the grounded top
Ø Analogous to a potentiometer
Ø Electrical circuit created between bottom rod tip to the top at the reference rod threaded into bracket connection (0 v) when probe is in water (slurry)
Ø Measurement of rod resistance that equates to water level 5
Why the LTM-2 Transmitter?
Ø Core function: LTM-2 designed specifically to ignore froth/foam
Ø LTM-2 technology:§ New technology, approach§ Resistance§ Conductivity§ Capacitive (solely for slurry
present detection)§ Unaffected by slurry density
variations§ No moving parts§ Two wire device for power and
4-20 ma signal
6
Competitive Product Comparisons
7
Positive Impact Negative Impact Moderate Impact
Factor LTM-2Ultrasoni
c Radar
Guided Wave Radar Capacitive DP [1]
Magneto-strictive
Pressure Diff,
BubblerMechanical moving parts required No Yes [1] Yes [1] No No No Yes NoEasy, quick setup/ calibration Yes Dep [2] Dep [2] Dep [2] Dep [2] No Yes NoAccuracy level High High [2] High [2] High [2] High [2] High [2] Mod [2] Mod [2]Measurement repeatability High High [2] High [2] High [2] High [2] High Mod [2] HighInstantaneous, continuous reading Yes Mod Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes YesSignal dampening required No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes YesRegular calibration required No Yes [1] Yes [1] Yes [2] Yes [2] Yes [2] Yes [2] Yes [2]Regular cleaning required No Yes [1] Yes [1] Yes Yes Yes Yes YesAffected by slurry density No Yes [1] Yes [1] Yes Yes Yes Yes YesAffected by air volume in slurry Yes [3] Yes [3] Yes [3] No No Yes [2] Yes YesRequires heavily modified bracket No Yes [1] Yes [1] Dep [2] No No [2] No [2] No [2]Anchor requirement No No No Yes Dep [2] Yes [2] Yes Dep [2]Ball boyancy, stability impacts No Yes [1] Yes [1] No No No Yes [2] No
Solids build up impact device/ bracket No Yes [1] Yes [1] Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes [1] Typical - most often use indirect measurement method such as a ball float-striker plate design[2] Depends (Dep) on application factors[3] High Volume air and frother changes bubble density (creates a second interface), if air volume is too high, this interface can affect the signal
LTM-2 Benefits
Ø Highly accurate slurry level measurementØ Probe ASTM 316/316L stainless steel, no corrosionØ Near instantaneous measurement, allows real time level
controlØ 0.1% measurement accuracy, 1% linearity (under specific
conditions)Ø Not affected by solids buildup and variable slurry % solidsØ Easy installationØ No moving partsØ IP 69K rating, suitable for most difficult conditions
IMPROVED FLOTATION LEVEL CONTROL: � HIGHER RECOVERIESIMPROVED CYCLONE FEED SUMP CONTROL: � LESS PARTICLE SIZE VARIATION = IMPROVED METALLURGY
8
Technical Specifications
Item ValueProcess Connection G 1½ inchMaterials of Construction Head: 304 SS
Rod: 1.4404 (ASTM 316/316L) or 1.4539 (ASTM UNS NO8904)
Temperature Range -10⁰ to 100⁰ C (Max 140⁰ C)Accuracy < 1%Linearity 1%Supply Voltage 18-36 VDCElectrical Connection 2 wireOutput 4-20 maCurrent Consumption ≥ 25 maProtection Class IP 69K with M12 plug
9
Findings and Trends
Ø Lower amplitude signal, more accurate controlØ True reflection of slurry level (no stickiness)Ø Fast response timeØ Little operator intervention and maintenance requiredØ No signal damping required
Red Line = LTM-2 Green line = ball-float ultrasonic
10
Findings and Trends (cont.)
Red line = LTM-2 probeGreen line = Ball-float ultrasonic
11
Findings and Trends (cont.)
Red line = LTM-2 probeGrey line = Ball-float ultrasonic
12
Findings and Trends (cont.)
Red line = LTM-2 probeGrey line = Ball-float ultrasonic
13
Installation Photos
14
LTM-2 Bracket
Ø Bracket provides:§ Probe stability§ Conductive measurement circuit§ Some probe protection
Ø Required:§ For probe lengths > 1000 mm§ When application has intense agitation§ Tanks are rubber lined, coated that prevents electrical reference
currentØ Construction:
§ 304 Stainless Steel (Optional 316 S/S and SAF 2205)§ Bottom bar keeping probe in place Vesconite, non-conductive
thermopolymer
15
Bracket Pics
16
Bracket Installation
Ø Attachment to plant support structure
Ø Movable attachment tab for adjustment
Ø Provides sufficiently solid installation
Ø Do not need to electrically ground bracket; in fact grounding has given unstable/erroneous readings at some customers
17
Major Customer List
Ø Iron ore mill:§ 23 pebble mill cyclone feed sumps§ Vacuum disc filter tub evaluation (total 48)
Ø Silver-lead-zinc mill§ Over 55 probes replacing flotation cell ball-float ultrasonic
devices in float cells, ultrasonics in sumps§ Beginning evaluations at another company mine
§ Copper mill:§ Over 150 probes in flotation cells and sumps
Ø Platinum group metal mill:§ 80 +/- probes in flotation cells
Ø Platinum group metal mill:§ 60 +/- probes in flotation, sumps
Ø Positive evaluations proceeding in potash, smelter slag flotation
18
Product Pricing
Ø Only variable is probe length (1000-3000 mm length, in 100 mm increments)
Ø Manuals available to support customer probe length determination, Zeroday may be directly consulted on establishing length requirement
Ø Standard international prices has been establishedØ Generally a bracket is required for each probe installed
§ Stabilizes, protects probe§ Provides probe reference current§ May not be necessary for shorter probes, low turbulence
application, if the probe can ground to tank (uncoated, bare metal)
Ø Additional items:§ MPI-200 programming cable (only need one per mine, some
mines have two, for backup)§ M-12 connecting cable for probe power and signal, one for each
installed probe 19
Ordering Probes
Ø LTM-2 probe pricing is very competitive to alternativesØ Only specific quotations directly provided to customers are
officialØ Zeroday provides written quotes (emailed)Ø Probes and ancillary parts are shipped from Instek Control in
Pretoria, South AfricaØ Quotations are on an EXW basisØ Generally 6 weeks to ship from date PO is receivedØ Probes shipped air freight
20
Invoices
Ø Zeroday can assist in making shipping arrangementsØ Duties and custom fees are additional, customers make these
arrangementsØ Invoiced on ship date if credit has been approvedØ If customer is making shipping arrangements and there is a
pickup delay, there will be early invoicing :– Effective at a reasonable date after LTM-2 shipment availability– Or when Instek bills Zeroday
Ø All invoice terms are 30 days net, FIRM
21
The End
Thank YouQuestions?
22