Smart Screening System (S3) In Taconite Processing

Allaei, Daryoush ; Mohammed, Asim Syed ; Tarnowski, David ; Morison, Angus

Q.R.D.C., Inc.

关键词: Design;    32 Energy Conservation, Consumption, And Utilization;    Energy Efficiency;    Ore Processing;    Iron Oxides;   

DOI  :  10.2172/882484
RP-ID  :  none
RP-ID  :  FC26-02NT41470
RP-ID  :  882484

美国|英语

来源: UNT Digital Library

【 摘 要 】

The conventional screening machines used in processing plants have had undesirable high noise and vibration levels. They also have had unsatisfactorily low screening efficiency, high energy consumption, high maintenance cost, low productivity, and poor worker safety. These conventional vibrating machines have been used in almost every processing plant. Most of the current material separation technology uses heavy and inefficient electric motors with an unbalanced rotating mass to generate the shaking. In addition to being excessively noisy, inefficient, and high-maintenance, these vibrating machines are often the bottleneck in the entire process. Furthermore, these motors, along with the vibrating machines and supporting structure, shake other machines and structures in the vicinity. The latter increases maintenance costs while reducing worker health and safety. The conventional vibrating fine screens at taconite processing plants have had the same problems as those listed above. This has resulted in lower screening efficiency, higher energy and maintenance cost, and lower productivity and workers safety concerns. The focus of this work is on the design of a high performance screening machine suitable for taconite processing plants. SmartScreens{trademark} technology uses miniaturized motors, based on smart materials, to generate the shaking. The underlying technologies are Energy Flow Control{trademark} and Vibration Control by Confinement{trademark}. These concepts are used to direct energy flow and confine energy efficiently and effectively to the screen function. The SmartScreens{trademark} technology addresses problems related to noise and vibration, screening efficiency, productivity, and maintenance cost and worker safety. Successful development of SmartScreens{trademark} technology will bring drastic changes to the screening and physical separation industry. The final designs for key components of the SmartScreens{trademark} have been developed. The key components include smart motor and associated electronics, resonators, and supporting structural elements. It is shown that the smart motors have an acceptable life and performance. Resonator (or motion amplifier) designs are selected based on the final system requirement and vibration characteristics. All the components for a fully functional prototype are fabricated. The development program is on schedule. The last semi-annual report described the need and the work accomplished to design a supporting structure. The modified supporting structure design improved system rigidity and integrity and helped improve overall system performance. Lab test results showed a significant improvement in reducing undesired supporting structure vibration, better system performance and ease of installation. However the system performance suffered severe losses due to installation requirement. Since then significant work was completed both in terms of analysis and experimentation to minimize system installation sensitivity and to relax plant structure foundation requirement. Lab test on the modified system are near completion and we plan to test the system in field in early next quarter. With the assistance of Albany Research center, strain measurements were successfully completed on the S3i-101 unit. This report also includes the work initiated to investigate feasibility of inserting SmartScreens{trademark} technology in the field of dry applications.