Outotec PSI 500i

Advanced on-line slurry particle size analyzer

- Essential view to process operation

Benefits

Maximize throughput and availability

Optimize recovery

product particle size for grinding circuit monitoring

Effective use of energy and reagents

and control. On-line particle size measurement is the

Minimize dewatering costs

industry practice today.

Optimal product quality

Grinding circuit reduces particle size to a desired

distribution. It is important to measure the grinding

PSI 500i

500i

provides

real-time

particle

size

information, which can significantly improve operations.

Particle size based monitoring and controlling improves
average grinding circuit capacity and availability while
maintaining the target grind. Additionally, grinding
control improves downstream process performance by
minimizing reagent consumption, increasing recoveries
and making thickening and filtration more effective.
Correct Fe concentrate particle size distribution is
essential for good quality pellet production.

Outotec PSI 500i features

Particle size control

Laser diffraction particle size measurement

PSI 500i Particle Size Analyzer provides real-time and

Laser diffraction gives a consistent volumetric particle

accurate particle size distribution measurements. The

size analysis result without any external calibration, which

analyzer is not sensitive to entrained air in the sample,

is a significant advantage. There is a small difference to

therefore PSI 500i can also be used in regrind circuits.

the particle size analysis measured by other methods,

such as sieve analysis. However, the repeatability and

PSI 500i is used in:

precision over a wide particle size range are the most

important features in process control applications.

Monitoring grinding circuit products

with wide or bimodal distributions

Monitoring regrind circuits

Furthermore, the speed, non-contact nature and

Grinding control for Fe and FeCr pellet

robustness of the method against ambient conditions

production can provide specific surface

make laser diffraction fit for on-line mineral slurry

area measurements (Blaine)

applications. If plant operating practice requires,

Controlling thickeners for optimal water recovery

laser diffraction volumetric distribution measurement

Monitoring mine backfill and tailings disposal

results can be correlated to a reference method, for

Monitoring feed to slurry pipeline

example sieve and sedigraph.

Product quality measurement

for industrial minerals

Material:
Lot: Sample
aterial
: Slurry1Slurry1
Lot : Sample

The

Cumulative Volume
(%) (%)
Cumulative
Volume

7.50

5.00

2.50

0
1

10

100

VolumeFrequency
Frequency (%)(%)
Volume

10.00

50

measuring

head

is

designed

and

manufactured by Malvern Instruments in co-operation

C:\D LEVY\TEXT\PSI\cvrd\cvrd2_1.psd

100

optical

0.00
500

with Outotec. It is based on the proven industry standard

laser diffraction particle sizing technology, which is
routinely used in most laboratories.
Laser diffraction advantages:

Direct size measurement based on

first principles of physics, robust calibration.

Particle
Diameter (m)
Particle
Diameter
(m)

Measurement is not affected by air bubbles

in the primary sample, flaky particles,
sample temperature or sample viscosity

Bimodal size distribution of phosphate minerals.

Can measure specific surface area (Blaine)

Scattered
light
Un-Scattered
light
Laser light
source

Particles

Fourier
lens

Un-scattered
light intensity
is measured
using an
obscuration
detector

Scattered light intensity

measured using
a multi-element detector

Laser diffraction, has been known as a laboratory particle size measurement technique since the 1960s. The size analysis is based on the
intensity distribution measurement of coherent laser light scattered by particles. When the laser beam interacts with particles, their size
distribution can be calculated from the scattered light distribution based on Mie theory. Mineral processing plant slurry sample is diluted
to 0.1 to 0.5% ww solids content to pass through the laser beam.

Advanced technology
Primary sampler extracts
50 - 120 l/min primary sample
from the process stream.
Representative sample is essential
for dependable size analysis.
The primary sampler is selected
from a range of proven designs to
suit process characteristics. One
PSI 500i analyzer can measure
samples from 1-3 sampling points.

Sample valves control water

flushing of the sample cutter
and sample pipe. The valves are
controlled by the analyzer so that
the programmed flushing does
not disturb measurements.

Secondary sampler cuts

representative 3 - 5 cc samples
from the measured sample
stream for diluter unit. Diluted
sample opacity is automatically
controlled by the frequency
of the cuts to best suit the
measurement requirements.

Sample pipe to the analyzer is

an essential part of the sampling
system. The pipe has to be routed
according to Outotec instructions
so that the analyzer receives a
consistent and representative
uniformsample flow.

Optional demagnetizer/dispersion
unit for magnetite minerals
Larger primary sample flow rates in
long sample lines can be used with
optional adjustable sample divider
Diluter unit reduces sample
solids content to 0.1 - 0.5%
level so that laser beam can
penetrate the diluted sample.

Sampling of undiluted primary

sample for calibration and
laboratory composite samples.

Interactive touch screen PC

calculates and displays analysis
results, alarms and configuration
data. Proprietary multiple
scatter algorithm compensates
for diluted sample opaqueness
variations. Measured data is sent
to the plant DCS system. Primary
sample return to process.

Operator interface display

of the analyzer system
status. Sampling system
and analyzer operation can
be easily monitored.

Optical sensor head measures

the diffraction pattern of
laser beam produced by the
particles in the sample.

Process. Most of the primary

sample (>99%) is not diluted.

Operator interface display of

the measured size distribution.
Distribution indicates changes in
ore composition and hardness.

Operator interface display of

the trends of selected fractions.
Process operators can easily
see changes in grinding circuit.

One of the configuration panels

on the operator interface display.
Analyzer functions can be
configured by selecting options
and entering the parameters.

Finland, June

PSI 500i front view.

PSI 500i top view.

Outotec PSI 500i specifications
Specifications

Utilities

Number of sample lines

1-3

Primary sample flowrate

50-120 l/min

Maximum sample solids content

Sample temperature
Size range (can be selected from option)
Precision
Measurement interval

115-230 VAC +/-10% at 2-4A 50/60Hz

Dilution water pump - single phase AC

115-230 VAC/-10% at 6-12A 50/60Hz

sample has to flow

Recommended UPS

1 kW/10min

5-50C (70C with options)

Water consumption

10 l/min, max. 30 l/min. for 10 sec

0.5-1000 m

Water temperature and quality

1-2% abs, Dv50

Oil free instrument air pressure

5-10 bar

Air consumption

7 Nl/min

3 min/sample line
Modbus TCP (slave), Modbus RTU (slave),
OPC (server), Profibus DP

Plant DCS connections

Analyzer unit- single phase AC

Environment
Classification

IP 66

Ambient temperature
Remote service connection

Internet through VPN firewall

Weights
Analyzer weight

max 300 kg

Dilution water tank weight empty/full

165/1365 kg

max 40C sand fi ltered

5-50C

Installation altitude

up to 5000 m

Corrosion resistance

AISI 316/304 or equivivalent

Moisture

up to 85%, non condensing

Standards
Machine directive

Multiple scatter correction algorithm and dilution

system design are protected by international patents.
The technical data is subject to change without notice. Please see PSI 500i
datasheet and installation instructions for more information.

European Union, CE marked

Low voltage directive

EMC directive

Laser

Class II

Outotec develops and provides technology solutions for the sustainable use of Earths natural
resources. As the global leader in minerals and metals processing technology, Outotec has developed
over decades several breakthrough technologies. The company also offers innovative solutions for the
chemical industry, industrial water treatment and the utilization of alternative energy sources. Outotec
shares are listed on the NASDAQ OMX Helsinki.

automation@outotec.com
www.outotec.com
Copyright 2012 Outotec Oyj. All rights reserved.