Crushers are key process components in several industries dealing with materials such as minerals, chemicals or agro based products. Whatever the material to be processed, productivity is of the essence and monitoring the material level is mandatory to optimize crushers operation.
Optimization
Feed control is crucial as crushers must be fed continuously to prevent serious damages to the equipment and to optimize productivity. It is imperative to maintain a ‘choke’ level and to avoid running the crusher empty. One must drop ‘rock on rock’ and not ‘rock on metal’. Throughput must also be maximized hence the plant must quickly react to the inconsistent inflow or any clogging or other problems. A rapid and accurate feedback on material’s level in the crusher is a key parameter in feed control optimization to maintain this ‘choke’ condition.
Industries will often use huge surge bins to help maintain a controlled and / or consistent flow for the crusher. Although surge bins are often bigger than needed, they will still be subject to overfilling which in turn, if not addressed rapidly, may block the whole inflow line and spill on the ground below creating a manual labor intensive clean-up. A proper feedback loop on the surge bin using level transmitters is therefore as important as on the crusher itself. In addition to the impact on productivity, preparing for a proper control of the level can permit a significant initial cost reduction when establishing the requirements for the surge bin.
Reliability and safety
Using efficient level measurement as a feedback for feed control permits to either assist an often overburdened operator or better, completely remove the need for human supervision. This mitigates the risk for accidents while improving reliability of the level monitoring.
Versatility
The LM80 is an ideal solution for this measurement as it can be installed at different stages on the crushing line whether it is composed of fixed or mobile crushing units. Each crusher can be of a different type, each design having its particular specifications and limitations. The narrow beam can be easily directed between the crusher mantle and the side wall of the crusher. The integral pointer allows precise aiming of the laser. The payback associated with the LM80 is increased production and reduced maintenance expenditures on rebuilding the crusher (due to continual rock damage).
The same applies for surge bin. The feedstock can be measured in various spaces, independently of the design shape and material. It can also provide accurate feedback on an empty or near-empty vessel and under challenging conditions such as acoustic noise, electric noise and physical hindrance. However, the bins above the crusher are occasionally too dusty for a laser level transmitter. LST400 has an advanced algorithm automatically adjusting the instrument to work in the most difficult conditions.
LST400 can vary pulse size for optimal performance at short and long distances, pulse length can be adapted to ensure pulses can travel through the air even in the presence of dust. At the receiver, the input gain can be increased to make sure the smallest of echoes can be detected easily. The LST400 automatically adjusts these settings, ensuring the best performance can be achieved in all conditions. No other ultrasonic level sensor has this technology, allowing unparalleled performance in dusty environments.
Complete solution
This combined solution offers accurate single point measurement where it is required at the crusher and excellent dust penetration in the bins. By combining these two technologies’ strengths, ABB provides the ideal solution. The LM80 allows for increased production and reduced maintenance, while the ultrasonic ensures the crusher has adequate feed while preventing overfill resulting in a labor intensive cleanup and potentially dangerous work conditions.
More information from ABB South-Africa, (Pty) Ltd, Tel: Tel: +27(0) 10 202 5000 / Email:instrumentation@za.abb.com/www.abb.com/measurement
