Performance evaluation of an on-line PGNAA cross-belt analyzer [cement plant monitoring]

Author

Regis, Steven A.

Author_Institution

California Portland Cement Co., USA

fYear

1997

fDate

20-24 Apr 1997

Firstpage

433

Lastpage

441

Abstract

Arizona Portland Cement (APC), USA, has operated a prompt gamma neutron activation analyzer (PGNAA) on its 1000 TPH overland belt conveyor system since August of 1995. The belt conveyor passes through the analyzer enclosure where a neutron source under the belt causes gamma ray releases identified by the sodium iodide scintillation detector above the belt. Sophisticated analytical software operating on a personal computer decomposes the gamma ray spectrum into its constituent elements. The result is a real-time one minute update of the complete chemical composition of the crushed rock headed down the beltline. The Crossbelt Analyzer project was a 1995 Capital Budget project. APC ordered the equipment from GammaMetrics in February and completed the installation in August 1995. Training and acceptance testing were conducted in late 1995. This paper summarizes the project after one year of operation

Keywords

cement industry; chemical variables control; computerised monitoring; conveyors; gamma-ray applications; microcomputer applications; process control; quality control; real-time systems; USA; analytical software; cement plant monitoring; chemical composition; gamma ray spectrum monitoring; overland belt conveyor system; personal computer; projects; prompt gamma neutron activation analyzer; sodium iodide scintillation detector; Belts; Cement industry; Delay effects; Kilns; Neutrons; Ores; Performance analysis; Principal component analysis; Quality control; Scintillation counters;

fLanguage

English

Publisher

ieee

Conference_Titel

Cement Industry Technical Conference. 1997. XXXIX Conference Record., 1997 IEEE/PCA

Conference_Location

Hershey, PA

ISSN

1079-9931

Print_ISBN

0-7803-3962-2

Type

conf

DOI

10.1109/CITCON.1997.599413

Filename

599413