Abstract: A process to determine the optimal initial settings for a series of timers in a timed-contribution batch process, based on the feed material flow rate and the composition of the material. The optimum initial timer arrangement is that which results in the maximum possible product output in the shortest possible batch time; this condition is realized when all of the minimum product requirements, as determined by the minimum timer settings, are satisfied at approximately the same time. The process first monitors the accumulation rates of the various constituents of the feed material for a discrete period of time, during which time a sensing device records the individual accumulation rates. Values representing the accumulation rates are normalized to the value of the greatest accumulation rate. A multiplier is applied to the resulting ratios to determine the optimal initial minimum timer settings. The maximum timer settings may be arithmetically or algebraically derived from the minimum timer settings.

Abstract: A monitoring system for a water scalping sand classifying tank, comprising timers for measuring the cumulative total discharge times for at least two key classification stations of the tank over an extended period of time which may include many reblend cycles for the tank. Tolerance limits are established by use of at least two timers for each key station. Any extended variation in the desired ratio of total discharges for the key stations, indicating an input change requiring correction, is signalled by an indicator system coupled to the timers.