Sometimes is interesting and illustrative try to determine the tonnage processed by the operation in order to verify the information obtained from electronic devices installed in the operation. A simple procedure consists in varying the water added to the main launder so that the pulp density is modified and the new reading is associated with the water added to the circuit. It is necessary to determine the water added during this change in the operation. This change must be done for approximately 30 minutes. Then, the operation returns to the initial operative parameters.
T = tonnage, t/d; D = initial dilution; D1= dilution after water addition; W = water added
Dilution = L/S; L = water or any liquid, t/d and S = solids, t/d
W = D1*T – D*T
For example, the water added to the launder was 21.67 t/h or 520 t/d. Initial and modified operative conditions are shown in next table. By using the formula, the tonnage processed is 3003 t/d.
Parameter | Initial | Modified |
S.G. | 2.8 | 2.8 |
Solids | 35 | 33 |
p.d. | 1.290 | 1.269 |
Dilution | 1.86 | 2.03 |