Abstract: Means for analysis of a moving slurry of solid particles in a liquid medium that comprises: causing the slurry to flow with fully developed turbulence in a vertical pipe such that the flowing slurry fills the entire cross-section of the pipe; providing a transparent window in a wall of the pipe, said window being flush with an inside of the pipe; emitting light from a light source through the window, onto the flowing slurry inside the pipe in an examination zone; taking a plurality of individual measurements of individual solid particles in the flowing slurry by collecting light returned from the examination zone; collating the results of a statistically significant number of the individual measurements to provide a characteristic of the flowing slurry, as a whole.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for analyzing material in particulate form is disclosed. The apparatus (10) comprises a vertically elongate housing (12) having an open upper end (26) and a restricted outlet at the lower end. A probe (28) directs light through a transparent cover (22), provided in one wall of the housing (12), and collects light reflected from particulate material in the housing (12). A slide valve (24), which includes a U-shaped section (30) and a T-shaped section (34) with a hole (32) therebetween, partially closes the outlet of the housing (12). Movement of the slide valve (24) by means of a knob (56), rod (36) and coil spring (44) allows for adjustment of the flow rate of the material through the apparatus (10), as well as for clearing blockages which may occur at the exit of the apparatus (10).

Abstract: The invention uses machine-vision to improve the performance of a flotation operation to provide a substitute for conventional human vision and problem-solving abilities. The invention redirects the conventional approach of “characterizing the froth” to “measuring the froth characteristic.” The invention provides a method of monitoring and controlling a mineral mixture flow in a froth flotation cell of a flotation plant which includes the steps of obtaining a series of digital images extracted of froth characteristics from a flotation cell. The digital images are transmitted to a computer for processing thereof into parameter signals of digital parameter froth characteristics.