OULU MINING SCHOOL Two example research projects from Control Engineering: MineSense and EnSaCo 1 Jari Ruuska

2 MINESENSE Sustainable mineral processing by on-line optical measurements towards better process management Technical Research Centre of Finland (VTT) – Photonic Devices and Measurement Solutions University of Oulu – Control Engineering laboratory Oulun yliopisto / Oulu Mining School / Kari Knuutila

The goal The goal of the project is to apply novel optical instrumentation and process control to the whole cycle of ore beneficiation as the aim the sustainability. Using the latest on-line optical instrumentation for monitoring the important process parameters of each stage together with advanced mill-wide process control would enable better control and optimization of the processes, leading to savings in raw material use, chemicals, water and energy. The improved process automation enables optimized process performance and yield. 3

Work packages I (II) WP1 underlines the unit processes which need most the on- line measurements to improve efficiency and sustainability. WP2 produces essential information on the usability of different methods as real-time monitoring tools in the beneficiation processes. WP2 aims at development of on-line monitoring tools based on on-line particle size, flotation bubble size, NIR spectroscopy, multipoint NIR and NIR chemical imaging. Moreover, feasibility of these measurements in real-time monitoring of particle size, bubble size, moisture and mineral content is evaluated in WP2. WP 4 aims for verifying the performance of the instrument prototypes build in WP3 for monitoring the unit process. 4

Work packages II (II) Oulun yliopisto / Oulu Mining School / Kari Knuutila 5 Additionally, tests are run in the pilot line and data is collected for analysis and simulations. Analysis of the results for deploying the system for full scale will be carried out in WP5. WP 6 focuses on developing the models essential for the simulation environment applied in the plant-wide control study. In WP 7 the potential of soft sensors in monitoring the mineral beneficiation processes is studied. WP8 focuses on the plant-wide control development and integration of the optical measurements and soft sensors to the model.

6 ENSACO Energy and Chemicals Saving Flotation Concentration University of Oulu – Process and Environmental Engineering/Mineral processing and Control Engineering, Mechanical Engineering/Mechatronics and Machine Diagnostics & Geosciences

The research aims I(II) To find the most suitable crushing methods and equipment types based on the ore grains mineralogy and strength properties To find and to develop the on-line method for evaluation of the aggregate mineralogical compound To find and develop the system to control the maintenance and actions of the mill e.g. the measuring system to measure the specific energy consumed in the actual grinding of the mill, the abrasion of the grinding bodies and the composition of cyclic flows in the grinding load. 7

The research aims II(II) To find the mineralogical basics and technical solutions to execute the conditioning with the continuous grinding considering the control of the electrochemical conditions in the grinding chamber. To produce the information about the effect of the grinding and conditioning treatment to ore flotation with the continuous grinding circuit To create the calculation model of the flotation based on the results of mineralogical analysis and the information of the continuous and laboratory flotation. 8

OULU MINING SCHOOL MINIPILOT PLANT 9