Sensor Development for On-Line Dynamic Simulation of Dense Medium Cyclones

The objective of this project was to develop and test instrumentation to monitor dense medium cyclone (DMC) underflow or overflow medium density, as well as feed flow rate, as a check on predictions made by an on-line DMC model.  The project was a continuation of C12001, which demonstrated that two of the JKMRC’s DMC models could be linked to the DCS of an operating coal preparation plant to make continuous high quality predictions of DMC performance on-line. The site test work was carried out at Anglo Coal’s Moranbah North plant.

Inputs to the models from the plant DCS were feed medium density, cyclone feed pressure and estimated DMC feed tonnage. The models and the plant ran side by side, with the model predicting actual cut point and Ep (on a size-by-size basis), medium to coal ratio, and medium underflow and overflow densities at 10 second intervals.