Modern dense medium cyclones are large 'dumb' lumps of steel and ceramic. A
number of ACARP supported projects are now underway to transform DMCs into large 'smart' lumps of steel and ceramic. Modern cars have an engine management system; modern DMCs should have a DMC management system to monitor key performance data. One way of approaching the problem is to model the cyclones in real time using data derived from the plant.

The on-line models read three items of plant data:

• medium density
• feed pressure
• feed tonnes

They continuously predict cut point and Ep on a size-by-size basis, plus data such as underflow and overflow medium densities, medium to coal ratio etc. at 10 second intervals. If reliable washability data is available, the model also predicts the cyclone yield and product and reject ash.

The aim of a previous project was to develop a simple, lowcost sensor to measure DMC models. The sensor was developed and proven at pilot scale. Very limited full-scale plant testing showed considerable promise.

The objectives of this short project are:

• to build an improved and more rugged version of the sensor that is simpler to set up and calibrate.
• to install the sensor on the overflow of a 1 m dense medium cyclone (modified with a 50 mm wall thickness HDPE overflow pipe) for an extended period of testing (until the overflow pipe wears out).

Contact Information
Isles Road, Indooroopilly, Qld Australia 4068
Phone:+61 7 3365 5888
Fax:    +61 7 3365 5999
Email: jkmrc@uq.edu.au