Grinding circuit reduces particle size to a desired distribution. It is important to measure the grinding product particle size for grinding circuit monitoring and control. PSI® 500i provides real-time particle size information. Particle size based monitoring and controlling improves average grinding circuit capacity and availability while maintaining the target grind. Grinding control improves downstream process performance by minimizing reagent consumption, increasing recoveries and making dewatering more effective.

OUTOTEC PSI® 500i PARTICLE SIZE ANALYZER

BENEFITS• Maximize throughput and availability• Optimize recovery• Effective use of energy and reagents • Minimize dewatering costs• Optimal product quality

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OUTOTEC PSI 500i FEATURES

Particle size controlPSI 500i Particle Size Analyzer provides real-time and accurate particle size distribution measurements. The analyzer is not sensitive to entrained air in the sample, therefore PSI 500i can also be used in regrind circuits.

PSI 500i is used in:

• Monitoring grinding circuit products with wide or bimodal distributions

• Monitoring regrind circuits• Grinding control for Fe and FeCr pellet production can

provide specific surface area measurements (Blaine)• Controlling thickeners for optimal water recovery• Monitoring mine backfill and tailings disposal• Monitoring feed to slurry pipeline• Product quality measurement for industrial minerals

Laser diffraction particle size measurementLaser diffraction gives a consistent volumetric particle size analysis result without any external calibration, which is a significant advantage. There is a small difference to the particle size analysis measured by other methods, such as sieve analysis. However, the repeatability and precision over a wide particle size range are the most important features in process control applications.

Furthermore, the speed, non-contact nature and robustness of the method against ambient conditions make laser diffraction fit for on-line mineral slurry applications. If plant operating practice requires, laser diffraction volumetric distribution measurement results can be correlated to a reference method, for example sieve and sedigraph.

The optical measuring head is designed and manufactured by Malvern Instruments in co-operation with Outotec. It is based on the proven industry standard laser diffraction particle sizing technology, which is routinely used in most laboratories.

Laser diffraction advantages:

• Direct size measurement based on • first principles of physics, robust calibration.• Measurement is not affected by air bubbles in the

primary sample, flaky particles, sample temperature or sample viscosity

• Can measure specific surface area (Blaine)

Laser diffraction, has been known as a laboratory particle size measurement technique since the 1960’s. The size analysis is based on the intensity distribution measurement of coherent laser light scattered by particles. When the laser beam interacts with particles, their size distribution can be calculated from the scattered light distribution based on Mie theory. Mineral processing plant slurry sample is diluted to 0.1 to 0.5% ww solids content to pass through the laser beam.

© Outotec - Al l rights reserved

Average Particle Size Distribution 9.9.2003 - 12:52:48C:\D LEVY\TEXT\PSI\cvrd\cvrd2_1.psd

Material : Slurry1 Lot : Sample

1 10 100 500Particle Diameter (µm)

0.00

2.50

5.00

7.50

10.00

Volu

me

Freq

uenc

y (%

)

0

50

100

Cum

ulat

ive

Volu

me

(%)

Size (µm) % V < % V Size (µm) % V < % V Size (µm) % V < % V0.118 0.02 0.020.139 0.03 0.020.164 0.06 0.030.194 0.10 0.040.228 0.16 0.060.269 0.25 0.090.318 0.38 0.130.375 0.56 0.180.442 0.81 0.250.521 1.14 0.330.615 1.58 0.430.725 2.13 0.550.855 2.82 0.69

1.01 3.66 0.841.19 4.66 1.001.40 5.84 1.181.65 7.19 1.351.95 8.71 1.522.30 10.40 1.692.71 12.22 1.82

3.20 14.15 1.933.78 16.14 1.994.45 18.12 1.995.25 20.06 1.946.20 21.96 1.907.31 23.94 1.988.62 26.12 2.18

10.17 28.54 2.4211.99 31.27 2.7314.14 34.50 3.2316.68 38.33 3.8319.67 42.95 4.6223.20 48.41 5.4627.37 54.67 6.2732.28 61.53 6.8638.07 68.56 7.0344.91 75.28 6.7252.96 81.30 6.0262.47 86.34 5.0473.68 90.33 3.99

86.90 93.35 3.01102.50 95.56 2.22120.89 97.13 1.56142.59 98.22 1.09168.18 98.97 0.75198.36 99.45 0.49233.96 99.74 0.28275.95 99.91 0.17325.47 99.98 0.08383.88 100.00 0.02452.77 100.00 0.00534.02 100.00 0.00629.86 100.00 0.00742.89 100.00 0.00876.22 100.00 0.00

1033.46 100.00 0.001218.93 100.00 0.001437.68 100.00 0.001695.69 100.00 0.002000.00 100.00 0.00

Bimodal size distribution of phosphate minerals.

Particles

Laser lightsource

Fourierlens

Scattered light intensity measured using

a multi-element detector

Un-scattered light intensity is measured

using an obscuration

detector

Scatteredlight

Un-Scatteredlight

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ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY

Primary sampler extracts 50 - 100 l/min primary sample from the process stream. Representative sample is essential for dependable size analysis. The primary sampler is selected from a range of proven designs to suit process characteristics. One PSI 500i analyzer can measure samples from 1-3 sampling points.

Sample line to the analyzer is an essential part of the sampling system. The line has to be routed according to Outotec instructions so that the analyzer receives a consistent and representative uniformsample flow.

Larger primary sample flow rates in long sample lines can be used with optional adjustable sample divider.

Sampling of undiluted primary sample for calibration and laboratory composite samples.

Interactive touch screen PC calculates and displays analysis results, alarms and configuration data. Proprietary multiple scatter algorithm compensates for diluted sample opaqueness variations. Measured data is sent to the plant DCS system. Primary sample return to process.

Sample valves control water flushing of the sample cutter and sample line. The valves are controlled by the analyzer so that the programmed flushing does not disturb measurements.

Secondary sampler cuts representative 3 - 5 cc samples from the measured sample stream for diluter unit. Diluted sample opacity is automatically controlled by the frequency of the cuts to best suit the measurement requirements.

Optional demagnetizer/dispersion unit for magnetite minerals.

Diluter unit reduces sample solids content to 0.1 - 0.5% level so that laser beam can penetrate the diluted sample.

Optical sensor head measures the diffraction pattern of laser beam produced by the particles in the sample.

Sample returns to process. Most of the primary sample (>90%) is not diluted.

Operator interface display of the analyzer system status. Sampling system and analyzer operation can be easily monitored.

Operator interface display of the measured size distribution. Distribution indicates changes in ore composition and hardness.

Operator interface display of the trends of selected fractions. Process operators can easily see changes in grinding circuit.

One of the configuration panels on the operator interface display. Analyzer functions can be configured by selecting options and entering the parameters.

Outotec develops leading technologies and services for the sustainable use of Earth’s natural resources. Our 4,000 top experts are driven by each customer’s unique challenges across the world. Outotec’s comprehensive offering creates the best value for our customers in the mining, metal, energy, and chemical industries. Outotec shares are listed on NASDAQ Helsinki. www.outotec.com

Outotec® is a registered trademark. Copyright © 2019 Outotec Oyj. All rights reserved.

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OUTOTEC PSI® 500i SPECIFICATIONS FOR ANALYZERS WITH PCS 4722 PROBE CONTROL SETSPECIFICATIONS

Number of sample lines 1–3

Primary sample flowrate 50–100 l/min

Maximum sample solids content

70% w/w, sample must flow freely

Sample temperature 5–50 °C (80 °C with options)

Size range (optimized by optics focal length) 1–500 µm

Precision 1–2% abs, Dv50

Measurement interval 3 min/sample line

Plant DCS connections

Modbus TCP/IP (slave), Modbus RTU (slave),OPC (server)Profibus DP

Remote service connection Internet through VPN firewall

Analyzer weight 250 kg

Dilution water tank weight empty/full 165/1365 kg

Water pum and control box weight 35 kg

UTILITIES

Analyzer unit - single phase AC

115–230 VAC +/-10% at 2–4 A 50/60 Hz

Dilution water pump - single phase AC

115–230 VAC +/-10% at 4–8 A 50/60 Hz

Recommended UPS 1 kW/10 min

Water consumption 10 l/min, max. 30 l/min

Water temperature and quality Max +40 °C particle-free

Oil-free instrument air 5–10 bar

Air consumption 17 Nl/min

ENVIRONMENT

Classification IP 56

Ambient temperature +5...+45 °C

Installation altitude 0 to 5,000 m above sea level

Corrosion resistance AISI 316 / 304 or equivivalent

Moisture Non condensing

STANDARDS

European Union, CE markedMachinery directiveLow voltage directiveEMC directive

Laser Class II

Multiple scatter correction algorithm and dilution system design are protected by international patents. The technical data is subject to change without notice. Please see PSI 500i datasheet and installation instructions for more information.

PSI 500i front view.

PSI 500i top view.

OUTOTEC PSI® 500i DIMENSIONS