Identification of an industrial scale semi-autogenous grinding circuit for control purposes
Date
2015-01-29
Authors
Giddy, Mark Robert
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Abstract
Optimisation of the control of an autogenous grinding circuit requires a better
understanding of system dynamics than exists at present. To this end extensive
operating data were acquired on an industrial semi-autogenous milling
circuit and a model was developed to explain the circuit responses to
changes in input variables. This model represents the trends in the data fairly
accurately and showed that:
• When an excess o f slurry was present in Me load (i.e. more than the volume
of the voids) a pool of slurry forms st the toe of the load.
• The complexity of the power dependence on the variables describing the
mill load defied dynamic modelling with toe limited knowledge avail-
• The key parameters determining grinding efficiency vary constantly as
the grinding environment is disturbed indicating a need for adaptive con-
• The flow through the mili is adequately modelled by a single well mixed
Itwasalso clear that maximisation of the power with respect to themass alone
was insufficient, and that control of the feed dilution water rate is essential.
Mill discharge slurry theology was studied eo gain an insight into conditions
in the load. An energy balance using temperature measurements around th t
mill discharge sump provided a very reliable estimate of the mill discharge
density. This estimate was not successfully used for control although this
potential should be exploited. Attempts to commission an on-line measurement
of discharge slurry viscosity failed.
Several theories and ideas were tested in a production environment subject
to a multiplicity of disturbances and conclusive qualitative results were obtained.
An improved understanding of milling circuit dynamics and a rationalisation
of where controi can be improved has resulted from this work.