Submersible Gas Exclusion Device for Slurry Density Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current technologies lack the necessary robustness, reproducibility, and precision to measure the density and concentration of solids in aerated slurries in real-time within flotation machines, especially due to the presence of gas bubbles, which affects measurement accuracy and limits their use in online monitoring and control systems.
Innovation Solution
A submersible system with a gas exclusion device that allows continuous downward flow of slurry without bubbles, enabling real-time measurement of slurry density and solids concentration using a Coriolis mass flow sensor, unaffected by gas bubbles, and requiring no recalibration once installed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If gas bubbles are introduced into the slurry for flotation process, then the flotation separation performance is improved, but the measurement accuracy of density and solids concentration is deteriorated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts gas bubbles from the measurement zone by using a gas exclusion device that allows slurry to flow through a tube while preventing bubble entry. The tube is positioned such that slurry enters at the lower end and exits at the upper end, creating a downward flow that excludes bubbles from the measurement section where the density sensor is located.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a tube as an intermediary structure between the aerated slurry and the density sensor. This tube serves as a gas exclusion device that mediates the flow of slurry while blocking gas bubbles, allowing accurate density measurement without direct contact between the sensor and bubbly slurry.
2Loss of time
If online measurement of aerated slurry is attempted, then real-time monitoring capability is improved, but measurement reliability is deteriorated due to bubble interference
Solution Approach 1:
The gas exclusion device extracts bubbles from the measurement path by designing a tube configuration where slurry flows downward through the tube while bubbles are excluded by the flow direction and tube geometry, enabling reliable online measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuous online measurement capability by establishing a steady downward flow of debubbled slurry through the tube. The continuous flow ensures that the measurement process remains uninterrupted and reliable, with slurry continuously entering at the lower end and exiting at the upper end.
3Device complexity
If conventional density measurement methods are used in aerated slurry, then device simplicity is maintained, but measurement precision is deteriorated
Solution Approach 1:
A simple tube structure serves as an intermediary gas exclusion device between the aerated slurry and the density sensor. This minimalistic approach maintains device simplicity while effectively excluding bubbles to improve measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The tube configuration extracts bubbles from the measurement zone using a simple geometric design where the tube is positioned to allow slurry flow while blocking bubble entry, achieving bubble removal without complex mechanical components.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system provides accurate, real-time measurement of slurry density and solids concentration with high accuracy (errors less than 2 kg/m3) and stability, enhancing the implementation of online monitoring and control systems in flotation processes.
Implementation Method 1
a tube, immersed vertically in the aerated dispersion, open at its ends and through with a reduction in its cross-sectional area... which when immersed in an aerated dispersion produces a continuous downward flow of said dispersion without bubbles through it
Implementation Method 2
measuring the density of said slurry without gas bubbles flowing through said sensor... using a Coriolis mass flow sensor
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a submersible system (1) for measuring the density and/or concentration of solids in a dispersion, which can be in the form of a liquid, a mixture of multiple liquids, a suspension of solids in liquid, or a combination of these forms, inside of a reactor (11) into which gas in the form of bubbles is introduced, the system comprising: an open, pass-through gas exclusion device (4) having a tubular body (5) with a variable cross-section through which the dispersion without gas bubbles enters, the device coupling to an inlet tube (6); a scaled chamber (8) that has a means for measuring density, when the dispersion circulates between an inlet (14) of the sealed chamber (8) and an outlet (15) of the sealed chamber (8). The outlet (15) of the sealed chamber (8) is coupled to an outlet tube (7) through which the dispersion returns to the reactor (11) in which same is being processed. The system also comprises a transmitter (9) connected to a sensor, which generates an output signal proportional to the density of the dispersion without gas bubbles by means of the sensor located inside the sealed chamber (8); and a processing unit (10) that generates an output signal (16) proportional to the concentration of solids in the gasless dispersion, as well as the pulp density. The invention further comprises a method for obtaining the concentration and density of the pulp.