International Minerals & Chemical Corp.

Imc Fertilizer, Inc.

Richard D Grove

Ronald L Wiegel

The relative concentration of opaque and translucent ore particles is determined by illuminating a falling stream of particles with a source of backlighting which provides a diffused background light source for detecting opaque particles and a relatively brighter light source for further illuminating translucent particles. Scanning a captured image of the falling particle stream for light and dark light images relative to the background light permits the relative concentration of opaque and translucent particles to be determined. The method is particularly useful for beneficiated composite phosphate ores containing desirable opaque phosphate particles and undesired translucent quartz particles.

Method and apparatus for image analysis of composite ores

An on-stream method and apparatus for measuring the content of a mineral constituent in a flowing slurried ore on a dry weight basis, is provided. The slurry density and flow rate, and optionally temperature, are measured to calculate a period of time during which the flowing slurry is diverted into a vessel in order to collect a target mass of ore solids therein. The time period is preferably calculated according to the following formula: ##EQU1## wherein: t is the period of time (sec);

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Lakeland, FL, United States of America

Richard D Grove