Slurry sampling

Slurry sampling for on-line analysis and accounting

Outotec has over 50 years of experience in sampling

and can offer an extensive range of slurry samplers

Dependable on-line analyzer measurement of slurry

for practically all applications. The company offers

particle size and composition is not possible directly from

design and engineering of the complete sampling

a large process ow. Analyzers require a representative

system and consulting for its customers.

sample from most process streams.

Composite samples are collected for laboratory

Outotec sampling systems provide

analysis, whose results are used in metallurgical

High availability

balance accounting and product quality assurance.

Low maintenance

An integral part of sampling, often overlooked,

is the sample transport and delivery system to and from

Advantages

an analyzer.

Representative sample for on-line analysis

Representative sample for composite analysis

002 More out of ore!

Representative
sampling

Process

Primary
sampling

FAST LOOP 70300 l/min

COMPOSITE
COMPOSITE
Composite
SAMPLES
SAMPLES
samples

Homogeneity and mixing of process flows

All material in a process ow must have the same

Monitoring
and
control

probability of entering the sample. Turbulent ows

SECONDARY SAMPLING
MULTIPLEXING
SCREENING
DE-AERATION

FLOW CELL 25 l/min

Analysis
Calibration
samples

are required in typical process streams to maintain

the slurry in suspension (speed >1.5 m/s). Turbulence
keeps the slurry well mixed in contrast to dry solids
on a conveyer belt. The ner and lighter the solids in
the slurry, the more ideal is the mixing. Gravity begins

Isokinetic sampling

to play a signi cant role, when particles are above

100 m in size and/or are of high SG material. Mixing

For the correct representation of all particle sizes, the

is still very effective in the horizontal direction. Such

ow velocity of slurry into a cutter or nozzle must be

mixing enables the use of samplers with a simple

about the same as the velocity of the bulk ow around

robust xed cutter to acquire a representative sample.

the cutter or nozzle. If the sample ow into the cutter

or nozzle is too high, the sample will be biased with

Sampling for on-line analysis

ne material. Differences of 1 m/s are permissible for

slurries of normal particle size range.

An acquired sample must be representative of the

characteristic of the process stream being measured.

Sampling design

Therefore, broad-range particle size analysis requires

a representative sample in respect to the particle size,

First select a location from which to take a sample

while elemental analysis has to be representative in

based either on gravity or pressure ow, although

respect to the measured elemental composition.

sometimes both options are available. Closeness to

In vertical pressure pipes, a round nozzle in

the analyzer location is an advantage. Information on

the middle of the pipe can be used to extract a sample,

the process pipe, ow rates and the amount of sample

the ow being thoroughly mixed after a pump or a

required, determines the sampler type. Sample line

suitable length of vertical pipe (i.e. longer than

routing and sizing are essential for proper operation

10 x pipe's diameter).

and high availability of the analyzer system.

In horizontal gravity pipes or launders,

vertical cutters are used to take an equal slice of all

See the big picture

horizontal layers, which might have different contents

For what purpose is the sample required?

due to segregation by gravity.

What is the source of the slurry to be sampled

Metallurgical accounting

Accounting samples must represent the variations

and what is happening there?

What is the destination of the process stream
and sampled material?
Are any future changes expected to be in the

that occur in both process ow and solids content, in

process e.g. a signi cant increase or decrease in

addition to requirements for on-line analysis. Strictly

process ows?

speaking, a pressure pipe sampler with restricted

sample ow, cannot produce a sample suitable for

Does the material being sampled contain

signi cant amounts of trash, rocks, grinding

accounting purposes.

balls or acid?
n

Pay attention to the sampler location and correct

installation, since they can have a signi cant
effect on sample representativity.

More out of ore! 003

Primary
samplers
for pressure
flow
Representative sampling of process ows under pressure is possible when the sample pipe
diameter, length and routing are correctly designed.

When the process stream to be sampled is under

Advantages

pressure, the primary sample ow is determined by

sample pipe friction. Standard size nozzles are used in

In most cases, no extra pump is required to move

sample to the analyzer or composite sampler

samplers. Isokinetic samples are obtained by correct

sample pipe diameter, length and routing.

Gives representative sample from well mixed

process ow

the balance between sampler pressure head and

Limitations
n

Sample ow rate is not directly proportional to

process ow for composite sampling

A PSA pressure pipe sampler with

an optional automatic VSA valve
set for ushing. PSA samplers are
typically used at pump outlets.

ASA sector samplers are used to divide

small pressure ows. A sector sampler
can be delivered to take 25, 50 or 75% of
the process ow.

SPSA straight pressure

pipe sampler. Where it is
inconvenient to use a PSA
sampler in conventional
vertical position.

HCS sector samplers are used

to divide small horizontal ows.
One primary sample ow can be
divided between two analyzers
using a HCS sampler.

A SPA suction pipe sampler for sampling a

otation cell discharge box, with an automatic
VSA valve set for ushing.

Process
location

Flow-rate

Pipe size

Sampler type

Note

Sample use

After pump or long

vertical pipe

>600 l/min

>100 mm

PSA pressure pipe

sampler (or SPSA)

After pump or long

vertical pipe

<600 l/min

100 mm

ASA sector sampler

Can take 25, 50 or

75% of ow

Analysis
Composite

Horizontal pipe,
no froth

>500 l/min

>100 mm

SPSA straight pressure

pipe sampler

Can also be used for

vertical pipes

Analysis

Horizontal pipe

<500 l/min

100 mm

HCS sector sampler

Can split sample

between analyzers

Analysis
Composite

Flotation cell
discharge box

All

N/A

SPA suction pipe sampler

Analysis
Composite

Analysis

004 More out of ore!

Primary samplers
for gravity flow
When the process stream is essentially at ambient pressure, a
vertical sample cutter can be used. The cutter opening must be
many times larger than the maximum particle size of sampled
slurry, at least 8 mm, but preferably >20 mm. The gravity primary
sample ow is not restricted, ensuring isokinetics at the

A LSA vertical cutter sampler with an optional

VSA automatic ushing valve set for process
ows at ambient pressure. A cyclone overow
is a typical LSA sampling point.

sampling point. The sample ow can be adjusted using an

adjustable cutter opening for pipe sizes up to 400 mm.
The sampler box design improves process ow
mixing prior to the sample cut. When representative isokinetic
sampling is applied, high process ows produce large primary
sample ows, which requires many sampling steps or innovative
sampling designs.
Advantages
n

Takes a representative sample from a vertically segregated

process ow

The sample ow rate of single stage samplers is directly

proportional to the process ow for composite and
accounting sampling

NLA non plug vertical cutter sampler with automatic mechanical cutter cleaner for ambient
pressure process ow containing trash. Victaulic
process pipe connections.

Limitations
n

A pump may be required to transport the sample to the

analyzer or composite sampler

Process
location

Flow-rate
m/h

Pipe size

Sampler

Note

Sample use

Nearly
horizontal
gravity pipe

251000
(1600)

600 mm

LSA or NLA vertical

cutter sampler

Flow >1000 m/h

requires a partly
blanked cutter

Analysis
Composite
Accounting

Gravity ow in
launder

<10002000

N/A

SKA vertical sample

cutter

Nearly
horizontal
gravity ow

>500

N/A

TSC two stage vertical

cutter sampler

Two Stage Cutter

allows broader
cutter opening than
LSA/NLA

Analysis
Composite

Nearly
horizontal
gravity pipe
or launder, no
froth

>350

250 mm

CPS primary sampler

Two stage sampler.

Requires control
from analyzer.
Restricted sample
ow.

Analysis
Composite

Horizontal pipe

<30

100 mm

HCS sector sampler

or LSA 80

Can split sample

between analyzers

Sample line

618

50 mm

ASD 50 adjustable
sample divider

Reduces primary
sample ow and
splits sample

Analysis
Composite
Accounting
Analysis
Composite
Accounting

Analysis
Composite
Accounting

More out of ore! 005

Sample ow from vertical cutters should not be restricted.

A SKA vertical cutter sampler for process

ows under ambient pressure in a launder.
An ASD adjustable sample divider located on top of a
PSI 500 analyzer multiplexer, allowing a large primary
sample ow to be used for easily settling slurry.

Two stage samplers for large process flows

Single stage sampler produces too high sample ow-rate from a large
process ow. Two stage samplers are able to provide a suitable sample
ow-rate for on-stream analysis.

A TSC two stage vertical cutter sampler for large process

ows under ambient pressure. The sampler can be installed
at a launder bottom or in a LSA style sampling box.

A CPS two stage sampler for high speed process ows.

The sample entering the tube is re-sampled using a
controlled syphon sampler.

006 More out of ore!

Metallurgical accounting sampling

MSA Multi-stage Metallurgical

A MSA 3/140 metallurgical sampler

with a pipe outlet.

Accounting Sampler
Operation of the sampler is based
on a combination of static multiple
cutter stages (depending on the
process ow), followed by a moving
crosscut sampler stage, which
produces the sample. The MSA
samplers can handle process ows
from 6018,000 m/h.
The MSA sampler can be
con gured to deliver a composite
sample or a continuous ow of
about 150 l/min, which is suitable
for Courier and PSI analyzers.
Analyzer controlled sampling by
the MSA samplers is also possible.

Model

Nominal
capacity m/h

Stages

Number
of static
cutters

Main
launder
width mm

Sample use

SSA 50

618

50

Accounting

LMC 50

618

none

50

Accounting

LMC 80

1860

none

80

Accounting

MSA 1/40

60180

none

400

Analysis
Accounting

MSA 2/50

180600

500

Analysis
Accounting

MSA 2/80

6001800

800

Analysis
Accounting

MSA 3/140 18006000

5/3

1400

Analysis
Accounting

MSA 3/200 600018000

5/4

2000

Analysis
Accounting

Composite sampling and filtering

The nal composite sample is taken
from the 150 l/min primary sample
ow by the secondary sampler in the
Courier on-stream analyzer system,
by a LMC 50 or 80 linear moving cutter
composite sampler or by a SSA 50
stand-alone composite sampler.
The composite sample can be
ltered using an optional VFU vacuum
sample lter unit. The VFU is selfA composite sampler SSA 50 with
sample lter and vacuum blower.

contained, equipped with a vacuum

blower and uses standard lter papers.

LMC 80 linear moving cutter

composite sampler.

More out of ore! 007

Controlled sampling
Controlled primary sampling

Process ow
by gravity

MSA sampler

On-stream analyzers have

traditionally used continuously
owing primary samples.

LSA sampler

Controlled sampling is a

Process ow
by gravity

built-in feature in new generation

Courier analyzers. The analyzer
can have an active role in controlling
the primary sample acquisition and
delivery to the analyzer. Remote
controlled sample valves are

Multiplexer

required and the desired sampling

A combination of continuous and

1900

Composite
sampling and
ltering

sequence has to be con gured.

controlled sample lines can be
used in the same analyzer system.
On-demand sampling

Analyzer
Probe
3050

Probe
Control Set

primary sample ow some time

1750

Analyzer scheduler starts the

PSA
sampler

before the next measurement

and/or composite sampling. After

De-multiplexer

stopped and the sample cutter

and sample line are ushed with
water. This radically improves the
availability of samples and reduces

5000

the volume of returned samples.

Automatically flushed

Options

sample lines

Flanges:

The primary sample usually ows

DIN 2576, AS 2129TABLE D, SABS

1123TABLE 10, ANSI B16.5150 lbs,
Victaulic

continuously, but is interrupted

at programmed intervals to ush

Lining:

the sampler nozzle or cutter and

Natural rubber as standard, other

the sample line. The ushing

materials as an option

is scheduled not to interfere

Cutters:

with normal measurements and

Wear areas rubber lined, hard

composite sampling cycle.

metals and ceramics as options

Sample valves:
Manual and automatic ush valves
are available

Sampling and sample presentation

are covered by several patents
and patent applications owned
by Outotec Oyj.
Courier is a registered
trademark of Outotec Oyj.
Specications subject to change
without notice. Please see
sampler data sheets and
installation drawings for
dimensions and details.

900

Process ow
by pressure

measurement the sample ow is

3020EN. Pinta/Libris, Helsinki, Finland. June 2007

Outotec, formerly Outokumpu Technology, is a worldwide technology

leader in minerals and metals processing, providing innovative and
environmentally sound solutions for a wide variety of customers in
minerals processing, iron and steel, aluminum and non-ferrous metals
industries. Outotec Oyj is listed on the Helsinki Stock Exchange.

automation@outotec.com
www.outotec.com

Copyright 2007 Outotec Oyj. All rights reserved.

Outotec and More out of ore! are registered trademarks of Outotec Oyj.