High-Frequency Electromagnetic Spectrometer Ore Sorting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current electronic sensors used in ore sorting are not sensitive enough, leading to unacceptable losses of valuable fractions and reduced throughput in the extraction of valuable materials from mineral ores, as they are unable to accurately distinguish between valuable and gangue materials at coarse particle sizes.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of high-frequency electromagnetic spectrometers (HFEMS) and other sensor types, such as electromagnetic, laser breakdown, X-ray fluorescence, and gamma sensors, which are arbitrarily scaled and oriented, allowing for real-time evaluation of conductive and magnetic content in mineral samples, enabling precise sorting and diversion of materials at millisecond intervals with high accuracy (e.g., 0.05% for Nickel and 0.1% for Copper).
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional electronic sensors are used for ore sorting, then the sorting process can be performed, but the sensitivity is insufficient leading to loss of valuable fractions and reduced throughput
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by transitioning from conventional electronic sensors to high-frequency electromagnetic spectrometers that operate at different frequency ranges. This change in operational parameters enables the detection of subtle electromagnetic signatures of valuable minerals at coarse particle sizes, thereby improving measurement precision without sacrificing throughput capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces conventional electronic sensing mechanisms with high-frequency electromagnetic spectrometry. This substitution enables non-contact, non-destructive detection of mineral composition based on electromagnetic resonance characteristics, achieving both high sensitivity for valuable fraction detection and high throughput capability.
2Measurement precision
If conventional sensors are used, then the equipment complexity remains manageable, but the accuracy of distinguishing valuable materials from gangue is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces high-frequency electromagnetic spectrometers as intermediary devices that mediate between the ore stream and the sorting decision system. These spectrometers act as sophisticated intermediaries that translate complex electromagnetic interactions into discriminable spectral signatures, enabling accurate material discrimination while managing system complexity through specialized detection equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the sensing system by using high-frequency electromagnetic radiation instead of conventional electronic sensing. This parameter change enables the detection of subtle differences in electromagnetic properties between valuable minerals and gangue, significantly improving discrimination accuracy.
3Reliability
If high-frequency electromagnetic spectrometers are implemented, then valuable material recovery improves, but the system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by implementing sensor-based sorting at the coarse particle size stage, before the material undergoes conventional beneficiation processes. This preliminary separation using high-frequency electromagnetic spectrometers pre-concentrates valuable fractions, improving overall recovery reliability while reducing the burden on subsequent processing stages.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical sorting methods with high-frequency electromagnetic spectrometry, substituting physical contact-based separation with non-contact electromagnetic detection. This substitution improves valuable fraction recovery by accurately identifying minerals based on their electromagnetic resonance characteristics without mechanical degradation.
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
This approach allows for high-value recovery at high throughput and low cost, achieving a high degree of discrimination and accuracy in sorting mineral ores, reducing the mass of material sent to beneficiation processes and improving the efficiency of material extraction.
Implementation Method 1
a high frequency electromagnetic spectrometer is used. The spectrometer has an array of coils that are stimulated with an arbitrary waveform to generate a high frequency electromagnetic response from conductive and/or magnetic materials in the sample
Implementation Method 2
other sensor types, such as electromagnetic, laser breakdown, X-ray fluorescence, and gamma sensors
Implementation Method 3
other sensor types, such as electromagnetic, laser breakdown, X-ray fluorescence, and gamma sensors
Implementation Method 4
other sensor types, such as electromagnetic, laser breakdown, X-ray fluorescence, and gamma sensors
Data Source
AI summary
A method of analyzing minerals received within a mining shovel bucket includes collecting data associated with ore received in the bucket, where the bucket includes at least one active sensor, where the ore includes one or more mineral, and where the ore is within a field of the active sensor. The method further includes determining a content of the minerals using the data, transmitting information relating to the content of the minerals to a decision support system, and sorting or processing the ore based on an output of the decision support system. Collecting data associated with the ores may include generating source signals, applying the source signals to the active sensor, collecting a response from the active sensor, and comparing the response with a reference or threshold. Other features are disclosed.