Courier HX

High-performance on-stream
solution analyzer system
Process management, monitoring and
control in hydrometallurgy:
n

Copper solvent extraction and electrowinning

Copper electrorening

Zinc rening

Nickel and cobalt leaching, solvent extraction, reduction

Platinum group metals and base metals removal

Zinc and nickel steel plating

Uranium reneries

002 More out of ore!

In order to
manage it,
you have to
measure it
Copper leach SX electrowinning
n

Control the washing of loaded organic to minimize

Nickel/cobalt leach SX reduction

n

entrainment and chemical transfer of trace

by monitoring the effectiveness of extraction and

manganese, iron and chloride.

n

Maintain rich electrolyte quality while keeping

Minimize entrainment and chemical transfer of

trace copper, iron and zinc by controlling the

Maintain a target level of cobalt to keep up cathode

washing of loaded organic.

n

With Courier HX and an OTI titrator you can

Monitor the mass ow of copper and the acid levels

maintain the ef ciency of hydrogen reduction by

of electrolyte, PLS and rafnate to maintain

closely controlling the ratio of metal ions to

production with changing PLS concentrations.

ammonia.

Copper electrorefining
n

stripping stages.
n

replenishing of washing solution to a minimum.

quality and economize on its addition.
n

Maximize the useful life of costly organic reagents

Monitor and control the electrolyte puri cation

Metal plating
n

Maintain deposit composition and quality targets

circuit by on-line measurement of copper, nickel

by controlling the ratio of metal ions and the acid

and arsenic.

content in the plating bath.

Electrolytic zinc refining

n

Control galvanic purication to minimize the need for

recycling zinc and to keep up production. Frequent
HX sampling and accurate analysis enable rapid feed
forward control in copper and cadmium removal.

Control leach conditions using HX sampling and

OTI titrators to maintain zinc recovery and
minimize iron content in neutral thickener overow.

Maintain the target levels of zinc and acid content in

electrolysis using HX sampling and OTI titrators for
accurate analysis of zinc and acid.

OTI automatic titrators are used for ionic measurements.

More out of ore! 003

What can a Courier analyzer do for you?

n Sampling and analysis are automatic and
always consistent. This results in savings in
assaying costs and metallurgical sampling
while ensuring repeatability.
n Operation of unit processes with rapid
dynamics is stabilized by frequent analyses
and rapidly responding control. The HX sample
system provides representative samples with
short changeover times.
n You can detect and correct major disturbances
or the drift of slow processes before losses
are incurred by monitoring of critical element
concentrations.
Dependable sampling system design is based on experience from
dozens of projects.

n Assay accuracy is comparable to a highquality manual sample-laboratory procedure.

Courier on-stream analyzers use the same

Best sensitivity and short cycle time

wavelength dispersive X-ray uorescence

The high-power analyzer system offers the best

performance laboratory analyzers.

(WDXRF) analysis technology as highsensitivity and short cycle time for process
management, monitoring and control in many metals
re ning operations. The innovative HX sample
handling system brings all solution samples to the
analyzer. It also effectively clari es solutions that
have signi cant solids content. When analyzing

n Results from process tests and improvements

are readily available. This motivates and
speeds up process development.
n The system is modular and can be upgraded
and expanded as plant requirements change.
n Outotec's Customer Support Agreements

ions and measuring chemical potentials such as

guarantee the maximum performance and

Redox or pH, Courier HX is complemented by OTI

availability.

automatic titrators.

004 More out of ore!

Dependable assays from

representative samples
Timeliness of assays

Representativity of samples

The major bene t of the Courier on-stream analyzer

When considering the representativity of samples

is the frequency and speed of accurate assaying. This

used for assaying, every step from the process

allows for fast reaction to changes in the metallurgical

stream to the X-ray uorescence analysis has to be

behavior of the process. The cost of frequent laboratory

taken into account. Scrupulous design of sampling

assays required by proper process control is prohibitive.

system ensures that representative samples reach

If the assays are based on strongly ltered or

averaged measurements over a long period of time,
they cannot be used for process control. A long-time

the analyzer undiluted, free of solids and without

crystallization.
Optional daily samplers can be used to collect

delay from actual process changes to control action

representative composite samples for laboratory

makes feedback control unstable. Additionally, the

analysis.

reported process trends become misleading.

More out of ore! 005

The analyzer system is typically factory-installed in a glass ber shelter.

This offers maximum protection in corrosive and dusty environment.

HX primary sampling

For example, critical streams can be measured more

frequently and more time can be used for streams

Clear process streams can be brought directly to the

containing important trace elements. The switching

analyzer under process pressure or gravity, in small

time between samples is used for internal reference

batches by pneumatic dispatch from a remote location,

measurements, which are used for monitoring and

or as a continuous ow in a fast loop. Optional manual

automatic drift compensation.

sample feeder allows measurement of manually cut

samples. Process streams with solids can be claried

Calibration sampling

by specially designed lters or settlers. Each sample

stream has its own lter, to eliminate contamination.

With the built-in calibration sampler you can take a

One settler can process many sample streams in

truly representative and repeatable sample from the

sequence with wash between the samples.

measured solution for comparative laboratory assays.

The calibration data can be uploaded from the analyzer

HX multiplexer

into the management station Outocal calibration

program.

All samples are presented to the

Courier

HX

analyzer and to OTI titrators via an HXM clear

sample multiplexer. This ensures rapid introduction
of the sample without cross-contamination or
crystallization.
The multiplexer operation is designed to
minimize the sample changeover times in large
systems. While one sample is still being measured,
the next sample is already being fed to a second
Sample Inlet Block. The measurement sequence is
fully programmable.
HSA 2570 sampling valve for sampling
pressure pipes.

006 More out of ore!

The secrets of high performance

Assaying

It is also used for setting up the functions and

parameters of the Courier HX analyzers. The

The Courier HX analyzer probe combines the

analyzer management station collects analyzer

high-performance wavelength dispersive and the

system calibration and diagnostic data for local and

economic energy dispersive X-ray uorescence

remote support.

methods in a unique and cost-effective way. The

You can run the Outocal calibration program

analyzer has an automatic reference measurement

in the same PC to access the calibration data and

for instrument stability and self-diagnostics.

calculate the best models for assay calculations. Only

The analyzer probe contains the core analytical

one connection to the plant process control (DCS)

components of the analyzer in a protective IP56

system is required. The Outotec automation product

(designed to meet NEMA 4X) stainless steel

range has compatible Proscon 2100 process control

enclosure.

and management systems for metallurgical applications.

Analyzer system control

The Probe Control Set controls the primary and

A high-resolution wave dispersive spectrometer separates

secondary sampling system and analyzer

a narrow element peak (blue) before the detector. Nearby

measurements. The scalable modular system has

element peaks do not overlap and the background signal is

several ICM 4300 Interface and Control Modules

minimal. Because the full capacity of the detector is used

connected by a fast serial bus. The Courier HX

for the relevant peak, a high-power X-ray tube can be used,

analyzer system control panel has a graphic terminal,

and analyzer speed and sensitivity are high. Same technology

control switches and indicator lamps. Most recent

is used in high-performance laboratory analyzers.

assays and analyzer status are shown on the display.

The same cabinet houses interface and control
modules for primary and secondary sampling
system monitoring and control.

60

Analyzer management
Courier HX analyzers can be networked together
to share a common analyzer management station

Counts per second

ZnK a

40

20

PC. The management station displays the assays,

trends and analyzer status information.

0
0

10

Energy, keV

20

30

More out of ore! 007

Specifications
Analysis method

Minimum detection limit

Flushing water

Wavelength dispersive X-ray

For most elements in dilute

Sand-ltered raw water, 26 bar

uorescence method with X-ray

samples 330 ppm with the

(3085 psi) average 5 l/min (1.3 gal/

tube excitation. Energy dispersive

WDXRF-measurement channel.

min) peak 50 l/min (13 gal/min).

channels are available. No isotope

Only used for sampling in some

sources are used. Optional titrators

Accuracy

are used for ion and potential

Outotec accuracy specication is

measurements.

based on the measurement of solution

Instrument air

samples using measurement times

Pressure 510 bar (75145 psi)

Number of sample streams

of real applications. Briquette

16 Nl/min (0.6 Ncuft/min) average

Up to 16, both aqueous and organic

measurements and long measurement

consumption.

samples can be analyzed in the

times give unrealistic results.

same system.
Number of simultaneous assays
Up to 12 simultaneous assays for

Measurement accuracy is a

cases.

Power supply

function of the sample parameters

Single phase AC, 230V +10%, -15%

such as matrix composition.

at 10A 50/60 Hz or 115V 10% at

Under normal operating

20A 50/60 Hz. Double conversion

elements from calcium to uranium

conditions, 36% relative standard

3kW UPS, 10 minutes minimum is

(atomic numbers 20 to 92) from

deviation for minor concentrations

required.

each process sample. Multiple

and 14% relative standard deviation

models can be used for assay

for major concentrations is achieved

Analyzer operating temperature

calculation. You can integrate OTI

for individual sample measurements

At sea level +5 +45 C (41113 F),

titrators with the system to provide

of concentration levels well above

no direct sunlight, no condensation.

acid content and other ionic

the minimum detection limit.

Air-cooled chiller (Courier 6) or

air-cooled Peltier (Courier 5)

measurements from the same

samples.

Analyzer calibration

controls analyzer internal temperature.

Optional integrated calibration

Sample measurement time

sampler takes a repeatable and

Storage temperature

Selectable for each sample.

representative sample for analyzer

-25 +60 C (-13140 F)

Typically 1560 seconds, titration

calibration. Outocal software is

takes longer.

available for interactive calibration

Environmental classication

model design.

Analyzer multiplexers, probe and

Analysis cycle

probe control set, IP56 (designed

For 4 samples 812 minutes, and

Maintenance

for 12 streams 2436 minutes

The analyzer has built-in self and

depending on the measuring

remote diagnostics capabilities and

Weight and outside dimensions

time for each sample. Assays

requires minimal maintenance.

Typical total shipping weight is 2200 kg

to meet NEMA 4X).

for a complete Courier HX system

are calculated and updated from

freshly measured data for each

Automation system connection

with 2 OTI titrators installed in a

cycle.

Analyzer is Modbus slave in RS 485

shelter. Courier HX analyzer and PCS

or Ethernet TCP connection. Assays

weight is about 350 kg. The outside

Measurable concentration range

from X-ray uorescence analyzer,

dimensions are 5500 mm (L), 2200

Typically 0.005200g/l.

titrators and other instruments are

mm (W), 2580 mm (H).

available through this connection.

Stability

Note: Actual scope and performance

Short-term stability under the

Installation requirements

data varies according to individual

speci ed conditions is better than

Analyzer is typically factory-installed

plant and project specications and

0.1% relative. Automatic internal

in an airconditioned shelter to protect

product variations. Please see the

reference measurements

it from corrosive environment and

product data sheets for details.

compensate for long-term drift.

extreme temperatures.

3051EN. Pinta/Libris, Helsinki, Finland. November 2007

Outotec, formerly Outokumpu Technology, is a worldwide technology

leader providing innovative and environmentally sound solutions for
a wide variety of customers in minerals and metals processing as well
as related process industries. Outotec Oyj is listed on the OMX Nordic
Exchange Helsinki.

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.