Multi-Energy X-Ray Analysis for Ore Characterization
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for analyzing materials, such as those used in characterizing mined ores, are limited by the use of mono-energy x-radiation, beam hardening and scattering, and low throughput capacity, leading to inaccurate assessments and inability to determine constituent concentrations effectively.
Innovation Solution
Exposing particles to a range of x-radiation energies and measuring transmitted intensities at multiple energy levels to calculate constituent concentrations, reducing the influence of non-compositional parameters like thickness and porosity, allowing for high-speed and high-throughput analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If mono-energy x-radiation is used for material analysis, then the analysis method is simple, but the assessment accuracy is poor due to beam hardening and scattering effects
Solution Approach 1:
The x-radiation beam is segmented into multiple discrete energy levels (first energy level and second energy level), allowing separate measurement of transmitted intensities at each energy level. This segmentation enables the system to overcome beam hardening and scattering effects by comparing measurements across different energies, thereby improving characterization accuracy while maintaining practical system simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the energy parameter of the x-radiation beam by operating at multiple discrete energy levels. By measuring transmitted intensities at different energy levels and using the ratio of these intensities, the system eliminates the influence of beam hardening and scattering, achieving accurate material characterization without requiring complex correction algorithms.
2Productivity
If high-speed particle conveyance is used, then throughput capacity increases, but accurate analysis becomes impossible due to particle movement between energy levels
Solution Approach 1:
The x-radiation source operates in periodic pulses, alternating between the first energy level and the second energy level. This periodic action is synchronized with the particle conveyance system, ensuring that particles are exposed to both energy levels in a controlled sequence. The pulsed operation allows high-speed conveyance while maintaining measurement accuracy, as each particle receives both energy level exposures during its passage through the analysis zone.
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-synchronizes the pulsed x-radiation emission with the particle conveyance timing. By controlling the pulse timing and duration, the system ensures that particles remain in the analysis zone long enough to receive both energy level exposures before being conveyed away. This preliminary timing arrangement enables high throughput while guaranteeing that each particle is properly characterized.
3Device complexity
If sequential energy level measurement is used, then device complexity is reduced, but analysis errors increase due to particle position and orientation changes
Solution Approach 1:
The x-radiation source emits pulses at the first energy level followed by pulses at the second energy level in rapid succession. This periodic alternating action ensures that particles are measured at both energy levels while minimizing their movement between measurements. The short pulse duration and rapid alternation reduce the time window for particle position and orientation changes, thereby maintaining measurement accuracy with a relatively simple sequential measurement system.
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 method provides accurate and real-time determination of material concentrations, enabling precise sorting and characterization of ores like iron and precious metal-containing ores, with improved throughput and reduced errors.
Implementation Method 1
exposing particles to x-radiation having a range of x-radiation energies; detecting x-radiation intensities at two different energy levels or at two different ranges of energies transmitted through the particles
Data Source
AI summary
A method of analyzing particles of a material which include a constituent is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of exposing particles of the material to x radiation having a range of x-radiation energies, detecting x-radiation intensities at two different energy levels transmitted through the particles, and determining the concentration of the constituent in particles from the detected intensities.