Application of numerical and physical modeling in designing of an X-ray luminescence separator intended for separation of ores containing luminescent minerals

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.30686/1609-9192-2021-6-82-88

Shibaeva D.N., Vlasov B.A., Shumilov P.A., Tereshchenko S.V., Bulatov V.V. Mining Institute of the Kola Science Centre of the Russian Academy of Science, Apatity, Russian Federation Russian Mining Industry №6 / 2021 р. 82-88

Abstract: The paper demonstrates the application of numerical and physical modeling to justify the design of the X-ray fluorescence separator’s material handling system. The Rocky DEM software package is a numerical modeling tool that uses the discrete element method as a mathematical apparatus. In order to increase the efficiency of the X-ray luminescence separation, the authors suggest including an additional element in the separator’s material handling system, i.e., a drum spreader that combines a handling device and an actuating mechanism. It was found out that the best loading of the drum spreader cells, in which the number of several pieces in one cell is reduced by at least 15%, is provided by a Vibrating feeder conveyor with a triangular cross-section of the profiled part of the tray compared with the tray of parabolic cross-section. In addition, the triangular section provides a double decrease in the number of pieces with rotational movement around their axes and, accordingly, an increase of at least 5% in the average velocity of the ore flow movement along the tray. The simulation of the material handling system has shown the need to reduce the height of the end partition of the drum spreader between the cells to 45 mm, which eliminates the collision of ore pieces with the partition and subsequently, their movement in the direction of rotation of the drum spreader on its outer surface, as well as the unpredictable escape of the ore pieces beyond the working space of the separator.

Keywords: X-ray fluorescence separator, physical modelling, simulation modelling, material handling system, conveying vibratory feeder, drum spreader

For citation: Shibaeva D.N., Vlasov B.A., Shumilov P.A., Tereshchenko S.V., Bulatov V.V. Application of numerical and physical modeling in designing of an X-ray luminescence separator intended for separation of ores containing luminescent minerals. Gornaya promyshlennost = Russian Mining Industry. 2021;(6):82–88. DOI: 10.30686/1609-9192-2021-6-82-88.

Article info

Received: 03.11.2021

Revised: 24.11.2021

Accepted: 25.11.2021

Information about the authors

Daria N. Shibaeva ‒ Cand. Sci. (Eng.), Senior Researcher, Mining Institute of the Kola Science Centre of the Russian Academy of Science, Apatity, Russian Federation; ORCID: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3974-0140, e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Boris A. Vlasov ‒ Junior Researcher, Mining Institute of the Kola Science Centre of the Russian Academy of Science, Apatity, Russian Federation

Pavel A. Shumilov ‒ Leading Engineer, Mining Institute of the Kola Science Centre of the Russian Academy of Science, Apatity, Russian Federation; ORCID: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-7995-2092

Sergey V. Tereshchenko ‒ Dr. Sci. (Eng.), Chief Researcher, Mining Institute of the Kola Science Centre of the Russian Academy of Science, Apatity, Russian Federation; ORCID: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-6068-4235

Viktor V. Bulatov ‒ Engineer, Mining Institute of the Kola Science Centre of the Russian Academy of Science, Apatity, Russian Federation

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