WO2016026003A1

WO2016026003A1 - A mining or mineral processing system with electronic tracers

Info

Publication number: WO2016026003A1
Application number: PCT/AU2015/050477
Authority: WO
Inventors: Christopher John Wood
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2014-08-22
Filing date: 2015-08-20
Publication date: 2016-02-25
Anticipated expiration: 2017-02-22
Also published as: AU2014216030A1; AU2020203978A1; CN207051974U; AU2022221562A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a mining or mineral processing system for detecting electronic tracers. The system includes a separator for separating input material including the electronic tracers. At least one output conveyor is provided for conveying separated output material from the separator. The system further includes at least one antenna not superimposed with the output material to power and detect the electronic tracers. Advantageously, the antenna may be located in close proximity to the material to facilitate tracer detection without the potential of damage through contact with the material.

Description

A MINING OR MINERAL PROCESSING SYSTEM WITH ELECTRONIC TRACERS

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention generally relates to mining and mineral processing tracers including density tracers, marker tracers, tracers for tracking ore and mineral products, and spiking tracers.

BACKGROUND

[0002] The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that the prior art forms part of the common general knowledge.

[0003] Turning to Figure 1 , a mining separator 1 00, not including screening by size, receives supplied raw mining material 102 and separates useful material (e.g. coal) 1 04 from other waste material 106 using a known separation process. Colored visual density tracers, which are in essence blocks of known densities, may be added to the raw material 1 02. Visual auditing of the density tracers in the separated material 104, 106 is conducted during testing. Upon completion of a test, the audit results are manually plotted to generate density information including a density tracer partition curve 200 shown in Figure 2. In turn, the density information is used by an operator as a guide in later adjustment of the separation process of the separator 100 to improve yield.

[0004] Undesirably, the delay between auditing the tracers and adjusting the separator to improve yield can take up to an hour. Furthermore, the auditing and adjustment is typically performed by multiple persons. The preferred embodiment significantly reduces this delay to improve overall yield.

[0005] In more recent times, polyester density tracers have been fitted with electronic transponders. Further, an antenna 108 is erected adjacent the path of the separated material 1 04 to assist in compiling the density information. The material 104 is typically transported on a conveyor 1 10, vibrating screens or in chutes. In practice, the antenna 108 is cumbersome and time consuming to install. Further, the antenna 108 is typically located in close proximity above the material 104 so as to improve the likelihood of reading the density tracers buried deep in the separated material 104. However, the Applicant has noticed that the antenna 1 08 can restrict flow of the material and can be swept away in the event of a surge of material 104 which can undesirably result in system disruption or malfunction.

[0006] PCT/AU2103/001 1 12 provides a deflectable antenna which resists damage owing to contact with material. The preferred embodiment provides an alternative improved antenna arrangement for avoiding such antenna damage.

[0007] In practice, the polyester block tracers can be chipped which affects their overall density and can skew audit results. The preferred embodiment impedes the skewing of audit results.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mining or mineral processing system for detecting electronic tracers, the system including: a separator for separating input material including the electronic tracers;

at least one output conveyor for conveying separated output material from the separator; and

at least one antenna not superimposed with the output material, and for powering and detecting the electronic tracers.

[0009] Advantageously, the antenna may be located in close proximity to the material to facilitate tracer detection without the potential of damage through contact with the material. Preferably, the antenna may be located beneath the material.

Alternatively, the antenna may be located to the side of the material.

[00010] The system may further include an input conveyor for conveying input material including the electronic tracers. The system may further include a dispenser for dispensing the tracers in the input material. The dispenser may be configured to dispense the tracers at intervals. The intervals may be the same for periodic

dispensation.

[00011 ] Preferably, the system further includes at least one wireless or wired transmission station located proximal respective conveyors. Each transmission station may include a transmitter for transmitting information relating to the detected electronic tracers. The transmitter may be a radio or Bluetooth transmitter. Each transmission station may further include a radio frequency identification (RFID) reader coupled between an antenna and transmitter, and for reading the electronic tracers. Each transmission station may include a battery or mains power supply for powering the transmission station.

[00012] Each conveyor may be a belt conveyor with an endless belt, and the antenna may be located between top and bottom runs of the belt. Each antenna may extend transverse to the conveyor and proximal the top run of the belt. Each antenna may include a rigid board and a conductor fastened to or embedded in the board.

[00013] Preferably, the system further includes a base station for receiving information relating to the detected electronic tracers. The base station may

progressively form and display tracer data as the electronic tracers are detected.

Preferably, the tracer data are displayed as a partition curve. The system may further analyse the detected electronic tracers to determine system parameter changes.

[00014] Each tracer may be a density tracer. The antenna may include more than one antenna oriented at different angles to facilitate detection of tracers at different orientations.

[00015] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided in a mining or mineral processing system for detecting electronic tracers, a computer configured to progressively form and display tracer data as electronic tracers are detected.

[00016] Advantageously, the progressive forming and displaying of the tracer data enables a single operator to determine whether tracers of additional density need to be added without the need to cease operation of the system. Further, immediate display of the tracer data enables a single operator to adjust the system to improve processing yield.

[00017] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for detecting electronic tracers in a mining or mineral processing system, the method involving: progressively forming and displaying tracer data as electronic tracers are detected.

[00018] The method may involve installing at least one antenna in the system. The method may further involve installing at least one wireless transmission station in the system.

[00019] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an mining or mineral processing electronic tracer including:

a transmitter;

a body in which the transmitter is located and including polyurethane.

[00020] Advantageously, the inclusion of polyurethane enables the formation of a tracer with desirable lower densities than known tracers. Further, polyurethane is durable and impedes the chipping or wearing of the tracer which can undesirably affect the density of the tracer.

[00021 ] Preferably, the tracer includes a radio frequency identification (RFID) transponder including the transmitter. The tracer may include powder mixed into a polyurethane resin to achieve a desired tracer density. The tracer density may be less than 1 .40g/cc. The tracer density may be as low as 1 .25 g/cc. The tracer may be black in color to facilitate low visibility in material. The transponder may include a unique identifier. The transponder may transmit its encrypted identifier.

[00022] Any of the features described herein can be combined in any combination with any one or more of the other features described herein within the scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[00023] Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of the Invention in any way. The Detailed Description will make reference to a number of drawings as follows: [00024] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a known separator;

[00025] Figure 2 is a density information audit sheet including a density tracer partition curve;

[00026] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a mining and mineral processing system for detecting electronic tracers in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and

[00027] Figure 4 is a block diagram of a wireless transmission station of the system of Figure 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[00028] According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a mining and mineral processing system 300, shown in Figure 3, which is suitable for detecting electronic density tracers carried in mining and mineral processing material. The system 300 includes an input conveyor 302 for conveying input raw material including the density tracers. A separator 304 is provided for separating the input raw material into output waste material borne by an output waste conveyor 306 and output valuable material (e.g. coal) borne by an output coal conveyor 308.

[00029] Each conveyor 302, 306, 308 is a belt conveyor with an endless belt 310 carrying material on its top run. Antennas 312 are permanently located between top and bottom runs of each belt 310, and in close proximity (e.g. less than 50mm) to the top run of the belt 31 0 immediately beneath the material to typically detect in excess of 95% of the electronic density tracers. Advantageously, the close proximity of the antennas 312 with respect to the carried material facilitate tracer detection without the potential of damage through contact with the material on the top run of the belt 31 0.

[00030] . The system 300 further includes a dispenser 31 3 for dispensing the tracers into a material stream before or after the separator. The dispenser 313 is configured to dispense the tracers at periodic intervals. In this manner, the dispenser includes a hopper, or cartridge, or other container, for storing the tracers, a release actuator for releasing one or more tracers at a time, and a timer for actuating the actuator. The dispenser 313 can log the identification and dispensation time of each tracer for transmission to a base station 316. The base station 316 can be used to control the dispenser 313. The dispenser 313 can be located at various locations.

[00031 ] Each antenna 312 is elongate and extends transverse to the conveyor 302, 306, 308. Each antenna includes a rigid plastic board of dimensions 1 .2 x 0.4 x 0.02m, and a conductor fastened to or embedded in the board. The conductor has one or more cross-overs to form multiple loops to reduce signal interference from radio-frequency noise. Each antenna site may include more than one antenna 312 oriented at different angles to facilitate detection of tracers at different orientations in the material.

[00032] The system 300 further includes wireless transmission stations 314 located proximal respective conveyors 302, 306, 308. Turning briefly to Figure 4, each transmission station 314 includes a wireless transmitter 400 for transmitting information relating to the detected electronic tracers to the base station 31 6. The wireless transmitter 400 can be either a radio or Bluetooth transmitter. Each transmission station 314 further includes a radio frequency identification (RFID) reader 402 coupled between the antenna 312 and transmitter 400, and for reading the passive electronic density tracers. The passive density tracers do not include a power source, and are instead powered by the antenna 312 when in range. A battery 404 or mains power supply is provided for powering each remote transmission station 314.

[00033] Returning to Figure 3, the base station 31 6 receives tracer information relating to the detected electronic tracers. The base station 316 includes a receiver 31 8 for receiving the tracer information, a laptop (or other) monitoring computer 320 for logging and processing the tracer information, and a database 322 for storing the tracer information. The computer 320 progressively forms and displays the partition curve 200 (i.e. tracer data) as the electronic tracers are detected in real time. Advantageously, the progressive forming and displaying of the partition curve 200 enables a single operator to determine whether tracers of additional density need to be added without the need to cease operation of the system 300. For example, if only higher density tracers are detected and plotted on the curve 200, the operator can instantaneously add more input low density tracers to obtain a full characteristic curve. Further, immediate display of the partition curve 200 enables the operator to immediately adjust the system 300 to improve processing yield. [00034] The base station 316 can be used to enable each transmission station 314 and verify its status. The base station 316 stores each curve 200 in the database 322 and operator comments can also be added.

[00035] Each tracer includes a radio frequency identification (RFID) transponder, in turn, including a transmitter. The transponder is embedded in a molded box-like body including polyurethane, and typically between 30% to 80% polyurethane.

Advantageously, the inclusion of polyurethane enables the formation of a tracer with desirable lower densities than known tracers. Further, polyurethane is durable and impedes the chipping or wearing of the tracer which can undesirably affect the density of the tracer.

[00036] The tracer includes powder mixed into a polyurethane resin to achieve a desired tracer density. The tracer density can be less than 1 .40g/cc, and even as low as 1 .25 g/cc which is a lower density than equivalent polyester tracers. The tracer is black in color to facilitate low visibility in coal material. The transponder includes an identifier that can be transmitted in encrypted or unencrypted form to the antennas 312. The identifier can be unique for each tracer, or common to tracers of like density.

[00037] Each transponder is elongate and includes an exposed wound antenna at one end. Advantageously, the exposed antenna reduces the displacement of body material which would otherwise occur if a cover was provided, thereby resulting in a tracer which more accurately represents density.

[00038] In practice, an operator can modify an existing mining or mineral processing system to install the antennas 312, transmission stations 314 and base station 31 6.

[00039] A person skilled in the art will appreciate that many embodiments and variations can be made without departing from the ambit of the present invention.

[00040] In practice, the transmission station 314 of the input conveyor 302 is typically not required as the operator is aware of the tracers input into the system. In one embodiment, the system 300 need only include a single output transmission station 314 for monitoring only a single output conveyor. However, the use of several output transmissions stations 314 monitoring each output conveyor is desirable, particularly in the event of lower overall percentage detection of tracers output from the separator 304 whereby output proportions of tracer detection can then be compared rather than output to input proportions.

[00041 ] In the preferred embodiment, the antenna 312 was located beneath the material. Alternatively, a higher powered antenna 31 2 can be located to the side of the material on the conveyor 308 so as to still avoid the potential for contact with the material.

[00042] In one embodiment, a conveyor may include a vibrating screen. The antenna may be located (e.g. molded) in the screen. Alternatively, the conveyor may include a pipe or chute with the antenna attached, or located proximal, thereto. The pipe or chute can be non-metallic.

[00043] In one embodiment, a wired connection is provided between the transmission stations located proximal respective conveyors and the base station 316.

[00044] In one embodiment, the system 300 includes a control system to analyse the partition curve 200 (i.e. tracer data) as the electronic tracers are detected in real time, and accordingly automatically adjust the system 300 or suggest system parameter changes to the operator about improve processing yield. The control system preferably includes an expert system which is a model for predicting future system outcomes based upon current operating conditions. The control system may form part of the base station 31 6 or may be remotely located away from the system 300.

[00045] In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific to structural or methodical features. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to specific features shown or described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims appropriately interpreted by those skilled in the art.

[00046] Reference throughout this specification to One embodiment' or 'an embodiment' means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearance of the phrases 'in one embodiment' or 'in an embodiment' in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more combinations.

Claims

The claims defining the invention are as follows:

1 . A mining or mineral processing system for detecting electronic tracers, the system including:

a separator for separating input material including the electronic tracers;

2. A system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said antenna is located in close proximity beneath the material to facilitate tracer detection without the potential of damage through contact with the material.

3. A system as claimed in claim 1 , further including at least one transmission station located proximal respective said at least one output conveyor.

4. A system as claimed in claim 3, wherein each transmission station includes a transmitter for transmitting information relating to the detected electronic tracers.

5. A system as claimed in claim 4, wherein the transmitter is a radio or Bluetooth transmitter.

6. A system as claimed in claim 3, wherein each transmission station further includes a radio frequency identification (RFID) reader coupled between an antenna and the transmitter, and for reading the electronic tracers.

7. A system as claimed in claim 3, wherein each transmission station includes a battery or mains power for powering the transmission station.

8. A system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein each conveyor includes a belt conveyor with an endless belt, and the antenna is located between opposed runs of the belt.

9. A system as claimed in claim 8, wherein each antenna extends transverse to the conveyor and proximal a top run of the belt.

10. A system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein each antenna includes a rigid board and a conductor fastened to or embedded in the board.

1 1 . A system as claimed in claim 1 , further including a base station for receiving information relating to the detected electronic tracers.

12. A system as claimed in claim 1 1 , wherein the base station progressively forms and displays tracer data as the electronic tracers are detected.

13. A system as claimed in claim 12, wherein, the tracer data is displayed as a partition curve.

14. A system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein each tracer is a density tracer.

15. A system as claimed in claim 1 , further including a dispenser for dispensing the tracers in the input material.

16. A system as claimed in claim 15, wherein the dispenser is configured to dispense the tracers at intervals.

17. A system as claimed in claim 16, wherein intervals are the same for periodic dispensation.

18. A system as claimed in claim 1 , configured to analyse the detected electronic tracers to determine system parameter changes.

19. A system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the antenna includes two or more antennas oriented at different angles to facilitate detection of tracers at different orientations.

20. A method for detecting electronic tracers in a mining or mineral processing system, the method involving:

progressively forming and displaying tracer data as electronic tracers are detected.

21 . A mining or mineral processing system for detecting electronic tracers, the system configured to progressively form and display tracer data as electronic tracers are detected.

22. A mining or mineral processing electronic tracer including:

a transmitter;

a body in which the transmitter is located and including polyurethane.

23. A tracer as claimed in claim 22, including a radio frequency identification (RFID) transponder including the transmitter.

24. A tracer as claimed in claim 22, including powder mixed into a polyurethane resin to achieve a desired tracer density.

25. A tracer as claimed in claim 22, wherein the tracer density is less than 1 .40g/cc, and can be as low as 1 .25 g/cc.

26. A tracer as claimed in claim 22, wherein the tracer is dark in color to facilitate low visibility in material.

27. A tracer as claimed in claim 22, wherein the transmitter includes an identifier.