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A swing arm sampler for primary cross-cut
applications and lifting sample
where height is critical. |
Cross-Stream Sampling Systems Of Bulk Solids Revisited
In recent years the mining
industry has progressively moved towards better
quality sampling standards and on-line analysis.
Multotec Process Equipment, through its proactive
approach, plays a major role in the ongoing
development and custom design of sampling systems in
the mining and minerals industry, and in particular
to suit various cross-cut sampling applications.
The range of equipment and services
Multotec offers continues to increase each year and today
ISO 9001:2000 certified Multotec has become a supplier of
choice. Some popular equipment for conveyor belt
sampling includes the well-known hammer cross-belt
sampler, which is easy to retrofit and takes a
smaller representative increment compared to
belt-end cross-stream samplers. |
‘Skew’
cutter designs with generous sampler housings are also now
on offer to address concerns related to potential bias and
material spillage. The latter has long been a criticism of
the cross-belt sampler design.
Multotec has also spent a great deal of time on improving
the more traditional primary belt-end cross-cut samplers and
has taken sampling standards, design and engineering to new
levels to better meet its customers’ requirements.
A chute cross-cut sampler for conveyor
transfer points. “Our falling stream sampler range now consists of chute
cross-cut samplers, vertical swing arm samplers, telescopic
samplers, screen-end samplers, rotary belt-end samplers and
various other custom designs to suit all bulk materials
handling needs and falling stream applications in the coal,
iron ore, base metal, heavy mineral, platinum and diamond
industries, amongst others” Rolf Steinhaus, director -
Multotec Process Equipment, says.
The sampler cutter assembly is manufactured from replaceable
and abrasion resistant stainless or VRN steel with excellent
wear resistance even in hard rock applications such as
manganese. The product also ensures sample integrity and
that a constant slot width is maintained.
A rotary cross-cut sampler suitable for
fines applications. “The sample cutter travels through the entire process stream
in a horizontal plane and cuts the falling material stream
at 90˚ to the trajectory,” Steinhaus explains. Cutter speed
is 0.6m/s (or preferably even less) and is consistent
throughout its travel. “Variable Speed Drive control is used
where high conveyor throughputs are present and where heavy
duty cutter boxes need to be slowed or accelerated, before
and after entering the main process stream.”
According to Steinhaus, final samples are guaranteed to be
commercially unbiased and recommended sampling frequencies
will provide representative sampling associated with
relevant material quality or grade variabilities and also
consignment or batch sizes.
“Ancillary equipment such as crushers, various sample
dividers with associated feeder conveyors and hoists can be
supplied as an equipment packaged solution, and our
capabilities extend to turnkey sample preparation plants as
well,” Steinhaus adds.
Heavy duty cross-cut sampler for high bulk
material throughputs. “We firmly believe that our future success depends not only
on keeping abreast of developments in the sampling field,
but also on satisfying and retaining customers. For this
reason, we strive to provide end users with professional
metallurgical advice and complete sampling solutions,”
Steinhaus says. “Our customers have been key to our mutual
success especially where we have partnered them on equipment
design adaptations for various applications.”
“Part of our service to customers is providing them with a
knowledge and understanding of the operation and maintenance
of the equipment supplied. Alternatively, they can make use
of sampler service agreements with monthly or quarterly site
visits/audits,” Steinhaus says.
A double rail heavy duty lined cross-cut
sampler with a bottom dump cutter box.
“Research and development is an ongoing process. Our
mechanical and process engineers work closely with our
customers. We are currently in the process of conducting
comparative testwork of various cross-belt and cross-stream
samplers in the iron ore industry to optimise our equipment
design,” Steinhaus concludes. |
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