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Documentos de Profesional
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User Manual
JKSimMet is a powerful tool for the analysis and simulation of mineral processing plant
data. As the program developers do not control data collection, analysis or
interpretation, it is the sole responsibility of the JKSimMet user to verify that the input
data are accurate and that both process unit operating conditions and stream outputs
are reasonable.
In no event will JKTech Pty Ltd be liable for direct, indirect, special, incidental or
consequential damages arising out of the use or inability to use the software or
documentation.
Note: The detailed descriptions of the mathematical models in this manual are provided
for the information of the software licensees. These models are not public domain and
they may not be used in other software without written permission from or a licensing
agreement with JKTech Pty Ltd.
JKSimMet V6 Manual
2014 JKTech Pty Ltd
All rights reserved. No parts of this work may be reproduced in any form or by any means - graphic, electronic, or
mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping, or information storage and retrieval systems - without the
written permission of the publisher.
Products that are referred to in this document may be either trademarks and/or registered trademarks of the
respective owners. The publisher and the author make no claim to these trademarks.
While every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this document, the publisher and the author
assume no responsibility for errors or omissions, or for damages resulting from the use of information
contained in this document or from the use of programs and source code that may accompany it. In no event
shall the publisher and the author be liable for any loss of profit or any other commercial damage caused or
alleged to have been caused directly or indirectly by this document.
Printed: March 2014 in Brisbane, Qld, Australia.
All of the JKTech and JKMRC staff and students who have
contributed in any way to the preparation of this document.
JKSimMet V6 Manual
Table of Contents
Foreword
Part I Overview
11
13
1 About
...................................................................................................................................
JKSimMet V6
13
General Capabilities
.......................................................................................................................................................... 13
How the Program
..........................................................................................................................................................
Works
14
JKSim Met..........................................................................................................................................................
Sim ulation
16
JKSim Met..........................................................................................................................................................
Mass Balancing
17
JKSim Met..........................................................................................................................................................
Model Fitting & Analysis
17
2 Hardware
...................................................................................................................................
& Operating System Requirements
17
3 Cautionary
...................................................................................................................................
Tales
18
4 JKSimMet
...................................................................................................................................
Structure
18
5 Available
...................................................................................................................................
Models
18
6 JKSimMet
...................................................................................................................................
Support
19
21
1 Summary
...................................................................................................................................
of Main Changes
21
2 Precautionary
...................................................................................................................................
Notes on Main Changes
21
3 Toolbar
...................................................................................................................................
Changes
22
4 Creating
...................................................................................................................................
Projects
23
5 Sieve
...................................................................................................................................
Series and Survey Data Entry
28
6 The
...................................................................................................................................
New Flowsheet Drawer
31
7 System
...................................................................................................................................
Properties
31
8 Accessing
...................................................................................................................................
Models
33
9 Equipment
...................................................................................................................................
Manager
34
10 Viewing
...................................................................................................................................
and Entry of Stream Data
35
11 Configurable
...................................................................................................................................
Stream Overview
36
12 Simulation
...................................................................................................................................
Changes
37
13 Simulation
...................................................................................................................................
Manager
38
14 Changes
...................................................................................................................................
to Reporting
39
15 Changes
...................................................................................................................................
to Graphing
40
16 Changes
...................................................................................................................................
to Info Blocks
41
17 Model
...................................................................................................................................
Fitting Changes
43
18 Mass
...................................................................................................................................
Balancing Changes
44
47
1 Contents
...................................................................................................................................
of the Package
47
2 JKSimMet
...................................................................................................................................
Installation
47
51
1 JKSimMet
...................................................................................................................................
Basics
51
JKSim Met..........................................................................................................................................................
Data Structure
51
Available ..........................................................................................................................................................
Equipm ent Item s and Associated Models
52
2014 JKTech Pty Ltd
Contents
Building a..........................................................................................................................................................
Sim ulation Model
56
The Mouse
..........................................................................................................................................................
and Cursor
57
The JKSim
..........................................................................................................................................................
Met Window s
58
2 Building
...................................................................................................................................
a New Project
58
The Steps..........................................................................................................................................................
to Sim ulation
59
JKSim Met..........................................................................................................................................................
Start Up
60
Creating the
..........................................................................................................................................................
New Project
61
Adding Flow
..........................................................................................................................................................
sheet Equipm ent
63
Add Connecting
..........................................................................................................................................................
Stream s
72
Define System
..........................................................................................................................................................
Properties
78
Feeder Equipm
..........................................................................................................................................................
ent Data
81
Select Equipm
..........................................................................................................................................................
ent Models
83
Sim ulation
.......................................................................................................................................................... 87
View ing the
..........................................................................................................................................................
Results
89
View ing Individual
..........................................................................................................................................................
Stream Data
94
View ing Data
..........................................................................................................................................................
for Multiple Stream s
97
Finishing ..........................................................................................................................................................
a JKSim Met Session
99
3 Working
...................................................................................................................................
with an Existing Project
99
Selecting
..........................................................................................................................................................
the Flow sheet to Use
100
Working..........................................................................................................................................................
w ith the Sim ulation Manager
101
Using Model
..........................................................................................................................................................
Based Groups for Sim ulations
108
Sim ulating
..........................................................................................................................................................
Changes in Operating Conditions
111
Working..........................................................................................................................................................
w ith Configurable Equipm ent Manager
116
Defining..........................................................................................................................................................
Stream Data Info Blocks
120
Defining..........................................................................................................................................................
Equipm ent Info Blocks
125
4 Summary
................................................................................................................................... 129
131
1 JKSimMet
...................................................................................................................................
Description
131
JKSim Met
..........................................................................................................................................................
Model Types
132
JKSim Met
..........................................................................................................................................................
Capabilities
134
JKSim Met
..........................................................................................................................................................
Constraints
135
JKSim Met
..........................................................................................................................................................
Expandability
135
Definition
..........................................................................................................................................................
of Term s Used in JKSim Met
135
2 The
...................................................................................................................................
JKSimMet Menus and Toolbars
137
The Main..........................................................................................................................................................
JKSim Met Menu
138
The File ..........................................................................................................................................................
Menu and Main Toolbar
139
The Edit ..........................................................................................................................................................
Menu
140
The View
..........................................................................................................................................................
Menu
143
The Flow..........................................................................................................................................................
sheet Menu and Toolbar
145
The Balance,
..........................................................................................................................................................
Fitting and Sim ulate Toolbar
149
Draw ing..........................................................................................................................................................
Toolbar
150
The Tools
..........................................................................................................................................................
Menu
152
The Help..........................................................................................................................................................
Menu
153
3 JKSimMet
...................................................................................................................................
Windows
153
Configurable
..........................................................................................................................................................
Equipm ent Manager
153
Config Graph
..........................................................................................................................................................
Window
154
Configurable
..........................................................................................................................................................
Stream Overview Window
157
Inform ation
..........................................................................................................................................................
Blocks
158
Model Window
..........................................................................................................................................................
s
159
Property..........................................................................................................................................................
Window s
160
Reporting
..........................................................................................................................................................
to Excel Window
162
Sim ulation
..........................................................................................................................................................
Manager Window
163
Sim ulation
..........................................................................................................................................................
Window
164
Stream Window
..........................................................................................................................................................
s
165
The Equipm
..........................................................................................................................................................
ent Window
171
2014 JKTech Pty Ltd
JKSimMet V6 Manual
The
The
The
The
Session
..........................................................................................................................................................
Window
172
Sieve
..........................................................................................................................................................
Series Window
175
Survey
..........................................................................................................................................................
Data Window
175
System
..........................................................................................................................................................
Properties Window
176
4 Building
...................................................................................................................................
and Manipulating a Flowsheet
177
Loading ..........................................................................................................................................................
an Existing Project
177
Creating..........................................................................................................................................................
a New Project
178
Loading ..........................................................................................................................................................
an Existing Flow sheet
179
Creating..........................................................................................................................................................
a New Flow sheet
180
Defining..........................................................................................................................................................
the Flow sheet Nam e
181
Deleting..........................................................................................................................................................
a Flow sheet
181
Building ..........................................................................................................................................................
the Flow sheet - Equipm ent
182
Building ..........................................................................................................................................................
the Flow sheet - Stream s
184
Annotating
..........................................................................................................................................................
the Flow sheet
187
Inform ation
..........................................................................................................................................................
Blocks
189
5 Editing
...................................................................................................................................
the Flowsheet Data
191
Stream Structure
.......................................................................................................................................................... 191
System Properties
.......................................................................................................................................................... 192
Accessing
..........................................................................................................................................................
the Equipm ent and Model Data
193
Editing the
..........................................................................................................................................................
Model Data
194
Editing Equipm
..........................................................................................................................................................
ent Data
195
6 Using
...................................................................................................................................
Simulation
199
Sim ulating
..........................................................................................................................................................
Using the Sim ulation Window
200
Sim ulating
..........................................................................................................................................................
Using the Sim ulation Manager
201
Accessing
..........................................................................................................................................................
the Stream Data
210
Water in..........................................................................................................................................................
Sim ulation
212
7 Viewing
...................................................................................................................................
the Data - Summaries & Reports
213
Using the
..........................................................................................................................................................
Configurable Stream Overview
213
Configuring
..........................................................................................................................................................
Colum ns in the Stream Overview
217
Using the
..........................................................................................................................................................
Reporting Feature
226
230
1 Introduction
...................................................................................................................................
to Mass Balancing
230
2 Data
...................................................................................................................................
Collection
230
3 Background
................................................................................................................................... 231
4 How
...................................................................................................................................
the Mass Balancing Program Works
233
5 Learning
...................................................................................................................................
Mass Balancing
235
Model Types
..........................................................................................................................................................
for Mass Balancing
236
Entering..........................................................................................................................................................
the Data
237
The SD Calculation
..........................................................................................................................................................
Window
240
Standard..........................................................................................................................................................
Deviation Calculations
243
Preparation
..........................................................................................................................................................
for Mass Balancing
246
Selecting
..........................................................................................................................................................
Data
247
Selecting
..........................................................................................................................................................
Com ponents
251
Solution..........................................................................................................................................................
Controls
252
Water in..........................................................................................................................................................
Balancing
254
Running..........................................................................................................................................................
the Mass Balance
255
The Mass
..........................................................................................................................................................
Balance Engine
259
Checking
..........................................................................................................................................................
the Balance
261
6 Presentation
...................................................................................................................................
of Mass Balance Results
262
Configurable
..........................................................................................................................................................
Stream Overview
263
Reports ..........................................................................................................................................................
Function and Printing
263
Plotting Size
..........................................................................................................................................................
Data Graphs
265
7 Problems
...................................................................................................................................
Related to Mass Balancing and Possible Solutions
267
2014 JKTech Pty Ltd
Contents
The Middlings
..........................................................................................................................................................
Problem
267
The Infinite
..........................................................................................................................................................
Division Problem
268
8 Metallurgical
...................................................................................................................................
Accounting
268
9 References
................................................................................................................................... 269
272
1 Introduction
...................................................................................................................................
to Model Fitting
272
2 Background
...................................................................................................................................
to Model Fitting
273
3 How
...................................................................................................................................
the Model Fitting Program Works
273
4 Model
...................................................................................................................................
Fitting as Applied in JKSimMet
274
5 Preliminary
...................................................................................................................................
Data Setup
275
Creating..........................................................................................................................................................
the Flow sheet
275
System Properties
.......................................................................................................................................................... 275
Stream Specification
.......................................................................................................................................................... 275
Data Input
.......................................................................................................................................................... 276
Mass Balance
..........................................................................................................................................................
Prior to Fitting
276
The Model
..........................................................................................................................................................
Fitting Window
277
Master Slave
..........................................................................................................................................................
Fitting
284
Checking
..........................................................................................................................................................
the Fit
286
Presentation
..........................................................................................................................................................
of Model Fitting Results
287
Problem..........................................................................................................................................................
s Related to Model Fitting and Possible Solutions
291
References
.......................................................................................................................................................... 292
294
1 General
...................................................................................................................................
Models
294
Ore Feeder
..........................................................................................................................................................
(1300)
294
Water Feeder
..........................................................................................................................................................
Models (1251 & 1252)
295
Model
.........................................................................................................................................................
Description - General
295
Required
.........................................................................................................................................................
% Solids - Standard Model
295
Water
.........................................................................................................................................................
Addition - Standard Model
296
Model
.........................................................................................................................................................
Limitations
297
References
......................................................................................................................................................... 297
Hydrocyclone
..........................................................................................................................................................
Models (200, 201)
298
Desciption
......................................................................................................................................................... 298
Equations
......................................................................................................................................................... 298
Symbols
......................................................................................................................................................... 301
Restrictions
......................................................................................................................................................... 302
Printouts
......................................................................................................................................................... 305
Summary
......................................................................................................................................................... 305
Fitting
.........................................................................................................................................................
the Cyclone Model (200)
306
Fitting
.........................................................................................................................................................
the Nagesw ararao Fines Model (201)
307
References
......................................................................................................................................................... 307
Narasim ha-Mainza
..........................................................................................................................................................
Cyclone Model (221)
308
Description
......................................................................................................................................................... 308
Equations
......................................................................................................................................................... 308
Symbols
......................................................................................................................................................... 311
Printout
......................................................................................................................................................... 312
Restrictions
......................................................................................................................................................... 313
Summary
......................................................................................................................................................... 315
Fitting
.........................................................................................................................................................
the Cyclone Model 221
315
References
......................................................................................................................................................... 317
Screen Models
..........................................................................................................................................................
(215, 230 & 235)
317
Kavetsky
.........................................................................................................................................................
Single Deck Screen Model (230)
317
Model Description
......................................................................................................................................... 317
Model Equations
......................................................................................................................................... 319
2014 JKTech Pty Ltd
JKSimMet V6 Manual
Single Deck.........................................................................................................................................
Model Printout
321
Symbols ......................................................................................................................................... 321
Know n Restrictions
......................................................................................................................................... 322
Parameter Fitting
.........................................................................................................................................
the Screen Model
322
Regression.........................................................................................................................................
Model Parameters
324
References......................................................................................................................................... 325
Double
.........................................................................................................................................................
Deck Screen Models (215 & 235)
325
Eff. Curves
..........................................................................................................................................................
(210, 211, 212, 213, 203 & 240)
325
Simple
.........................................................................................................................................................
Efficiency Curve (210, 212)
325
Model_Description
......................................................................................................................................... 325
Model Equations
......................................................................................................................................... 325
Fitting the Simple
.........................................................................................................................................
Efficiency Curve
326
Simple Efficiency
.........................................................................................................................................
Curve Printout
326
Simple
.........................................................................................................................................................
Efficiency Curve - Water & Fines (211, 213)
326
Model Description
......................................................................................................................................... 326
Model Equations
......................................................................................................................................... 327
Fitting the Simple
.........................................................................................................................................
Efficiency - Water & Fines
327
Simple Efficiency
.........................................................................................................................................
Curve (Model 211) Printout
328
Splined
.........................................................................................................................................................
Efficiency Curve (Model 203)
328
Splined Efficiency
.........................................................................................................................................
Curve (Model 203) Description
328
Splined Efficiency
.........................................................................................................................................
Curve (Model 203) Equations
328
Fitting the Splined
.........................................................................................................................................
Efficiency Curve (203)
328
Splined Efficiency
.........................................................................................................................................
Curve (Model 203) Printout
329
Symbols for
.........................................................................................................................................
Splined Efficiency Curve Model (203)
329
Know n Restrictions
......................................................................................................................................... 329
References
......................................................................................................................................................... 330
Eff. Curve
..........................................................................................................................................................
Variable D50c (Model 251)
330
Model
.........................................................................................................................................................
Description
330
Model
.........................................................................................................................................................
Equations
330
Efficiency
.........................................................................................................................................................
- Variable d50c (Model 251) Printouts
331
Symbols
......................................................................................................................................................... 331
Know.........................................................................................................................................................
n Restrictions
331
Fitting
......................................................................................................................................................... 332
References
......................................................................................................................................................... 332
Sim ple Com
..........................................................................................................................................................
biner Model (800)
332
Model
.........................................................................................................................................................
Description
332
Symbols
......................................................................................................................................................... 334
Model
.........................................................................................................................................................
Limitations
334
References
......................................................................................................................................................... 334
2 Way Sim
..........................................................................................................................................................
ple Splitter Model (810)
334
Model
.........................................................................................................................................................
Description
334
Symbols
......................................................................................................................................................... 336
Model
.........................................................................................................................................................
Limitations
336
References
......................................................................................................................................................... 336
2 Way Volum
..........................................................................................................................................................
etric Splitter Model (812)
336
Model
.........................................................................................................................................................
Description
336
Symbols
......................................................................................................................................................... 338
Model
.........................................................................................................................................................
Limitations
338
References
......................................................................................................................................................... 338
Water & ..........................................................................................................................................................
Solids 2-Way Sim ple Splitter (813)
338
Model
.........................................................................................................................................................
Description
338
Symbols
......................................................................................................................................................... 340
Model
.........................................................................................................................................................
Limitations
340
References
......................................................................................................................................................... 340
3 Way Sim
..........................................................................................................................................................
ple Splitter Model (870)
340
Model
.........................................................................................................................................................
Description
341
Symbols
......................................................................................................................................................... 342
Model
.........................................................................................................................................................
Limitations
342
Contents
References
......................................................................................................................................................... 342
2 Comminution
...................................................................................................................................
Models
342
Crusher..........................................................................................................................................................
Models (400 and 405)
343
Model
.........................................................................................................................................................
Description (Anderson/Aw achie/Whiten)
343
Model
.........................................................................................................................................................
Equations
345
Ore Breakage
.........................................................................................................................................................
Characterisation
346
Breakage
.........................................................................................................................................................
Distribution Parameter
346
Breakage
.........................................................................................................................................................
Parameters
348
Crusher
.........................................................................................................................................................
Pow er Predictions
348
Crusher
.........................................................................................................................................................
Model (400/405) Printout
351
Symbols
......................................................................................................................................................... 351
Know.........................................................................................................................................................
n Restrictions
352
Fitting
.........................................................................................................................................................
the Crusher Model
352
Regression
.........................................................................................................................................................
Modelling
354
Model
.........................................................................................................................................................
Testing
354
References
......................................................................................................................................................... 354
Rod Mill ..........................................................................................................................................................
Model (410)
354
Model
.........................................................................................................................................................
Description
355
Model
.........................................................................................................................................................
Equations
355
Rod Mill
.........................................................................................................................................................
Model Printout
358
Symbols
......................................................................................................................................................... 358
Know.........................................................................................................................................................
n Restrictions
359
Fitting
.........................................................................................................................................................
the Rod Mill Model
360
References
......................................................................................................................................................... 360
Perfect Mixing
..........................................................................................................................................................
Ball Mill (Model 420)
360
Model
.........................................................................................................................................................
Description
361
Model
.........................................................................................................................................................
Equations
362
Ball Mill
.........................................................................................................................................................
Model Printout
365
Symbols
......................................................................................................................................................... 365
Know.........................................................................................................................................................
n Restrictions
366
Fitting
.........................................................................................................................................................
the Perfect Mixing Ball Mill Model
367
Table.........................................................................................................................................................
of Appearance Functions
367
References
......................................................................................................................................................... 369
SAG Mill..........................................................................................................................................................
(Model 430)
370
Model
.........................................................................................................................................................
Description
370
Equations
.........................................................................................................................................................
- Particle Breakage
371
Equations
.........................................................................................................................................................
- Mass Transfer and Discharge
374
Prediction
.........................................................................................................................................................
of AG/SAG Mill Pow er Draw
376
SAG.........................................................................................................................................................
Mill Printout
380
Symbols
......................................................................................................................................................... 381
Know.........................................................................................................................................................
n Restrictions
382
Fitting
.........................................................................................................................................................
the Autogenous & SAG Mill Models
383
References
......................................................................................................................................................... 385
Size Converter
..........................................................................................................................................................
Model (490)
385
Introduction
......................................................................................................................................................... 385
Model
.........................................................................................................................................................
Details
385
Fitting
.........................................................................................................................................................
the Size Converter
385
Know.........................................................................................................................................................
n Restrictions
386
Variable ..........................................................................................................................................................
Rates SAG Model (435)
386
Introduction
......................................................................................................................................................... 386
Scaling
.........................................................................................................................................................
Approach
386
Slurry
.........................................................................................................................................................
Holdup Model
387
Variable
.........................................................................................................................................................
Rates Model
387
Effect
.........................................................................................................................................................
of Key Parameters
390
Parameter
.........................................................................................................................................................
Fitting - Variable Rates Model
396
Variable
.........................................................................................................................................................
Rates for Simulation & Design
398
Know.........................................................................................................................................................
n Restrictions
399
Variable
.........................................................................................................................................................
Rates SAG Model Printout
401
2014 JKTech Pty Ltd
10
JKSimMet V6 Manual
References
......................................................................................................................................................... 402
High Pressure
..........................................................................................................................................................
Grinding Rolls (Model 402)
403
Introduction
......................................................................................................................................................... 403
Model
.........................................................................................................................................................
Structure
404
Breakage
.........................................................................................................................................................
Processes
405
Compressed
.........................................................................................................................................................
Bed Breakage Function
407
Throughput
......................................................................................................................................................... 407
Pow er
.........................................................................................................................................................
Draw
410
HPGR
.........................................................................................................................................................
Model Printout
413
Fitting
.........................................................................................................................................................
the HPGR Model
414
Scaling
.........................................................................................................................................................
the HPGR Model
415
Know.........................................................................................................................................................
n Restrictions
417
Nomenclature
......................................................................................................................................................... 417
Acknow
.........................................................................................................................................................
ledgements
418
References
......................................................................................................................................................... 418
Size Degradation
..........................................................................................................................................................
(Model 480)
419
Introduction
......................................................................................................................................................... 419
Model
.........................................................................................................................................................
Structure
419
Degredation
.........................................................................................................................................................
Model Printout
421
Fitting
.........................................................................................................................................................
the Degredation Model
421
Know.........................................................................................................................................................
n Restrictions
421
Index
422
Foreword
11
JKSimMet V6.0
Part
Overview
Overview
Overview
1.1
This section provides a broad overview of the JKSimMet program and its
capabilities. It includes a chapter on the hardware and operating system
requirements plus some information about program structure and the
included process models.
About JKSimMet V6
About this
Program
1.1.1
13
General Capabilities
General
Capabilities
Main Features
14
1.1.2
JKSimMet V6 Manual
Building a
Simulation
Model
Project
A project is the container in which the user stores all of the data related to a
particular body of work. The project contains one or more flowsheets (circuits)
and the associated equipment units and stream data.
Flowsheet
About JKSimMet V6
Overview
15
Units
(Equipment
Items)
Streams
(Connectors
between Ports)
Specifying
Flowsheet Data
Once the flowsheet has been drawn the engineer must provide data for each
process unit and also provide raw data in the form of flows and size
distributions for the streams in the circuit. This is done by stepping through
the process units and the streams one-by-one, adding circuit data and
building up an annotated description of the modelled processing circuit on
the screen. The unit data for the process equipment may come from previous
experience, from a design database or they may be derived from plant data.
The sizing component of the stream data can be entered in one of three size
distribution formats, depending on the preferences of the user. The engineer
can review or correct these data at any time after making the initial entries.
Flowsheet
Simulation
Once the flowsheet has been specified and the required unit and stream data
have been entered, the simulation can be run. The results of the simulation are
stored and can be displayed on the screen or printed as required. The
following options are available for examining the results:
view the detailed data in the equipment and port data windows,
view summary data for equipment and ports via data information
blocks,
view summary data in overview tables,
About JKSimMet V6
16
JKSimMet V6 Manual
1.1.3
A new capability that was introduced with V5 is that a subset of the flowsheet
may also be selected for simulation, mass balancing or model fitting.
JKSimMet Simulation
Available
Process Models
Simulation
Limits
It is important at the outset to understand what JKSimMet will and will not
do. JKSimMet will predict the performance of a circuit within the limitations of
the data and the models selected. JKSimMet will not determine of its own
accord the best circuit, the best operating conditions or the changes that are
required to ensure that a circuit operates efficiently. JKSimMet does not allow
process constraints to be specified.
Provided that the data used in the process models are relevant to the ore being
studied, JKSimMet can be used to generate detailed design information. Until
experience is gained in detailed design studies using JKSimMet, it is
recommended that design tasks be carried out in consultation with JKTech.
Simulation
Constraints
About JKSimMet V6
Overview
17
1.1.4
1.1.5
1.2
Intel Pentium PC (or other fully compatible computer) with all of the
following:
Processor speed 1 Ghz recommended;
512 MB memory minimum 1 GB recommended;
CD-ROM Drive;
2 GB or larger fixed disk drive (with 100 MB free space);
A SVGA or fully compatible equivalent graphics
(minimum) Recommended an XGA graphics controller;
controller
About JKSimMet V6
18
1.3
JKSimMet V6 Manual
Operating
System
MS Windows 7, Vista or XP
Keyboard
Standard keyboard.
Pointing Device
Equipment
Tested
Cautionary Tales
Backup
JKSimMet
Installer
Learn by
Example
Backup Work
1.4
Remember to save the work to the hard disk regularly, for example as each
section of data (say a flowsheet or a data set) is entered. Usually earlier
versions will be overwritten. If this is done regularly, then when (not if), there
is a power failure or other mishap, the work up to the last save will be on the
hard disk; it will not have been irretrievably lost. There is an auto save
function incorporated in the program that runs every 3 minutes, however
regular manual saving is also recommended.
JKSimMet Structure
Program
Structure
1.5
Available Models
The unit models currently available for simulation include the following:
Available
Models
Feeder
Stockpile
Bin
Autogenous mill
Overview
Pump sump
Semi-autogenous mill
Sump
Rod mill
Ball mill
Gyratory crusher
Two rolls crusher
Jaw crusher
HPGR crusher
19
DSM Screen
Hydrocyclone
Spiral classifier
Rake classifier
Thickener
Degradation model
Custom Models
1.6
JKSimMet Support
Documentation
Courses
Extended
Support
E-mail Help
JKSimMet project files can be sent electronically to JKTech via the Internet for
assistance. Send files to help@jktech.com.au.
Updates
Updates and bug fixes will be supplied for one year from date of installation/
supply and are available under a maintenance agreement thereafter.
Restrictions
A standard licence for the use of JKSimMet permits operation of the software
on a single workstation only. Extension of the licence for additional
workstations at a single site is available for a fee.
Distribution of copies of JKSimMet to other company sites is not permitted.
Additional copies for other sites are available at reduced cost.
Hardware Key
(Dongle)
JKSimMet will not operate without a hardware key (also called a dongle). The
standard key is suitable for a USB port. One working key and one spare key
are supplied with each software licence.
Available Models
Part
II
21
2.1
31
38
36
41
2.2
28
44
JKSimMet Version 6.0 represents a major shift in many respects from version
5. Version 6 is available free of charge to clients who hold maintenance
agreements and will be available to other users for an upgrade fee.
The most significant change is that JKSimMet has been moved from the old
Visual Basic/Fortran platform to the more modern C++ platform that is used
by JKSimFloat. Thus, the look and feel of JKSimMet V6.0 is now quite different
from older versions and is much more like JKSimFloat. This section of the help
file has been adapted from two stand-alone documents that were prepared to
guide users through their early use of the new version.
Increase from 30
to 40 Size
Fractions
Until now, the maximum number of size fractions available was 30. This
limited the range of equipment that could be handled in a single flowsheet.
The range available in a
series was from 2.0 m to 0.086 mm. With the extra
size fractions, that range is now increased to 2.0 m to 0.003 mm or 10 m to
0.014 mm. It is now possible to use as many as 40 size fractions in the
internal
series.
Single Master
Sieve Series
22
JKSimMet V6 Manual
Small
Differences in
Simulation and
Fitting Results
The two changes discussed above, 40 Size Fractions and the Master Sieve
Series may mean that simulation and model fitting could give slightly
different results in V6.0 compared with V5.3. Our testing has shown that
these differences are insignificant except for the HPGR model see next
section.
HPGR Model
The internal structure of the HPGR model means that the change from 30 to 40
internal size fractions makes significant differences to the simulation results.
Therefore, it is necessary to refit the HPGR model in V6 before conducting any
simulations.
Conversion of
Files from V5 to
V6
V6.0 allows JKSM5 extension files to be opened and converted to JKSMX files.
The conversion process creates a new file and leaves the old file untouched.
The flowsheets created by the conversion process may require some work to
improve them aesthetically. Extensive testing has shown that the converted
files respond correctly throughout the full range of functions, when used in
V6. However, there is always the possibility of issues that have escaped
detection during testing, so please dont hesitate to contact JKTech if you find
any items that you are concerned about.
Keep in mind that after any conversion process, it is always important to
check the results carefully.
Note that the conversion process does NOT convert component data. This will
be implemented in the next release.
Also, it is not possible to convert .JKSMX files back to .JKSM5 format.
2.3
Mass Balancing
Apart from the look and feel, one of the major changes is to the mass balance
system. The old JKMBal system previously used could handle only one
dimensional data size distributions or assays. The new JKMultiBal system,
taken from JKSimFloat, is completely new for JKSimMet and uses different
algorithms that can handle size by assay data. However, because the
algorithms are different, the results may be different. If the data are good
quality and require little adjustment, the results of balancing in the two
versions will be close. However, if the data are of lower quality, the results
from the two versions may well be different. There is no right answer in
mass balancing and the results will be heavily influenced by the users choice
of starting estimates and standard deviations. Please note that in JKSimMet
V6.0, a zero value for standard deviation is not permitted. When converting
from V5 files, all 0.0 SD values will be converted to missing.
Installation
Contacting
JKTech
Please feel free to contact JKTech if you have any questions or problems with
JKSimMet V6.0. The best contact is via Help@jktech.com.au.
Toolbar Changes
Main Toolbar
A screen grab of the main tool bar is shown below, with annotation to show
the names of the buttons. These names are indicative of their functions and
are in fact the same as the tool-tips that will appear when you hover the
mouse over these buttons.
Note that tool-tips for the buttons will be switched on by default when you
23
first open the program. They can be switched off if required. This is done by
selecting Tools from the main menu, then Customize. For further details on
this, see the Tools Menu topic 152 .
Side Bar
As indicated in the annotations to the screen grab above, the three buttons for
entering the main areas of JKSimMet functionality (viz. Balancing, Fitting and
Simulation), were moved after this screen shot was taken. They have now
been transformed into large buttons in a separate toolbar located in the left
panel, just above the flowsheet list. An annotated screen shot of this toolbar is
shown below.
Note that many of the screen shots in this help file were taken before this
change in the toolbar structure took place. These shots have generally not
been updated where the difference was considered irrelevant to the user's
understanding of the topic.
Flowsheet
Toolbar
2.4
The new version of the flowsheet tool-bar is shown below, again annotated to
indicate the names of the buttons.
Creating Projects
After opening JKSimMet V6 the user may create a new V6 project, open an existing
V6 project or open an existing V5 project from the file menu.
Toolbar Changes
24
JKSimMet V6 Manual
Selecting New Project will open a window in which the user may enter the file
name for the new project and save it (a default file name is supplied).
If the user chooses Open Project they will be presented with a window giving
them the option to open either a V5 or V6 project:
Creating Projects
25
If the user chooses to open a V5 file they will be presented with this prompt:
Creating Projects
26
JKSimMet V6 Manual
Clicking Save will initiate the import process. Note that the process of
converting the V5 file to V6 leaves the V5 file unchanged, it creates a new V6 file
and transfers the flowsheet and data into the new file.
If the V6 file name already exists the user is asked if they wish to overwrite the
existing file. Choosing no will return them to the save prompt screen to enter or
choose another file name.
On return the user will be asked if they wish to use V5 style flowsheet icons:
After clicking save the user will be presented with a window to choose or
modify the sieve series to be used as the initial Master series:
Creating Projects
27
The user is presented with all unique sieve series defined in the V5 flowsheet to
choose from. The default master series is copied from the feed in the V5 project
with material in the coarsest size fraction. The user may modify this series as they
choose. Clicking OK will generate the project and the user is advised that they
may need to re-run simulation:
If the user creates a new project they will be presented with a blank flowsheet:
Creating Projects
28
JKSimMet V6 Manual
If they open a V5 or V6 project the first flowsheet in the project will be opened:
2.5
Creating Projects
29
The sieve series definition window may be opened from the FlowSheet menu or
the toolbar:
30
JKSimMet V6 Manual
After creating and allocating sieve series against appropriate streams, the user
may open the Survey Data window and enter their experimental data obtained
through plant surveys.
The user may choose to view the streams for the whole circuit (All Sieves) or
for specific parts of the circuit as defined by the specific sieve series selected.
They may then choose to view the stream data as any of the defined sieve series
(View As), but will only be able to edit the data for the streams that have been
assigned that sieve series. In addition they may view the data as % Retained,
Cum % Retained or Cum % Passing, and choose the interpolation method for
translating the survey data into the global Master sieve series.
If the user wishes to create extra sieve series they may click the Edit Sieve
Series button to load the Sieve Series Overview, make their changes then return
to the Survey Data window and re-make their selections. After entering the
survey data and choosing the appropriate interpolation method, the user may
click the Transfer button to translate the survey data into the Master series for
all streams. They will be prompted to confirm the action before proceeding as
existing data will be overwritten:
The survey data is stored so the user may later modify and re-translate the data
into the master series.
2.6
31
By default the flowsheet drawer works with vector graphic based icons, unlike
the bitmap icons used in V5. However at the point where a new project is being
created, the user may choose to have it use the bitmap icons (V5 style)
throughout all its flowsheets. Note however that once this initial selection has
been made, you will not be able to switch icon styles for the project in question.
For further information on use of the flowsheet drawer, refer to the section
Building and Manipulating a Flowsheet 177 .
2.7
System Properties
The System Properties in V6 serve 2 purposes as a place to set properties that
are global to the project, and to define the elements (components in V5) that
may be used in mass balancing. System Properties are accessed from the
Flowsheet Menu or the toolbar:
32
JKSimMet V6 Manual
The first selection in the System Properties is the Elements. The user defines the
Elements and display units (% or g/t) used in mass balancing:
The bulk Solids and Liquid SG used in simulation and the default global size
markers used in each stream window are defined in the Miscellaneous System
Property.
System Properties
2.8
33
Accessing Models
In V5 double clicking an icon takes you straight to the selected model
window. In V6 when the user double clicks on an equipment unit they are
first presented with a window that allows them to change model selection for
the unit or open the feed or product stream windows for that unit.
When the user clicks on the arrows next to the model selection they are taken
into the model window, with a display very similar to V5 and identical
parameters.
Accessing Models
34
2.9
JKSimMet V6 Manual
Equipment Manager
In addition to individual model viewing/data entry, V6 provides the
Configurable Equipment Manager that allows the user to construct summary
views for all equipment using a selected model.
This allows flexibility in choosing which parameters to view/edit for a selected
model. To access the Equipment Manager choose from the Flowsheet menu or
the toolbar:
The user may construct an Equipment Overview for each model used in the
circuit, insert columns and define the parameters to be displayed by clicking in
the top cell of the column.
This will invoke the selection box from which they select the parameter for
display, after which they can then view or edit data for this parameter. In
addition the Overview tables can be printed, copied to the clipboard, or
exported to Excel.
For further information on this subject can be found in the topic Configurable
Equipment Manager 153 .
Equipment Manager
2.10
35
The user may choose which data types they view in the columns for all streams by
clicking the Data Type View button.
An additional feature is the SD Calculator, which allows the user to make bulk
changes to SDs for a given stream or multiple streams, and for a single data point
or multiple data points.
36
JKSimMet V6 Manual
2.11
The user may construct as many Stream Overviews as required, but is provided
with several defaults displaying various data. The user may insert columns and
define the data to be displayed by clicking in the top cell of the column. This will
invoke the selection box from which they make their selection, after which they
can then view or edit the data. In addition the Overview tables can be printed,
copied to the clipboard, or exported to Excel.
37
For further information refer to the topic Configurable Stream Overview Window
157 .
2.12
Simulation Changes
The V6 simulation window may be accessed from the Flowsheet menu or the
toolbar:
38
JKSimMet V6 Manual
V6 has intuitive equipment and stream selection via the check boxes or by
clicking on equipment and streams in the flowsheet, and has the ability to create
multiple select lists which like V5 are available in model fitting. For further
information on Simulation refer to the manual or help files.
2.13
Simulation Manager
The Simulation Manager allows users to run a batch of simulations to observe
the effect of adjusting unit operating parameters in each simulation. The
simulation manager may be accessed from either the FlowSheet menu or the
toolbar:
The method for selecting parameters and calculated results to view is identical
to the Equipment Manager. The user may specify absolute or % change to the
original data values for each simulation.
Simulation Changes
39
For further information on the Simulation Manager refer to the topic Working
with the Simulation Manager 101 .
2.14
Changes to Reporting
The reporting function in V6 is similar to V5, but there is no report preview or
ability to print reports directly from the program. Instead the report is exported
directly to Microsoft Excel and opened for viewing or printing. Reporting may
be accessed from either the FlowSheet menu or the toolbar:
Simulation Manager
40
JKSimMet V6 Manual
For further information on the Reporting refer to the topic Using the Reporting
Feature 226 .
2.15
Changes to Graphing
The Configurable graphing function in V6 is similar to V5, but the selection and
graph display are contained in one tabbed window and there is no ability to
print graphs directly from the program. Instead they may be copied to the
clipboard and pasted to other applications for viewing and printing. The
Graphing may be accessed from either the FlowSheet menu or the toolbar:
Changes to Reporting
41
The streams or equipment to display graphs for are selected in the top row. The
graph format options can be set by clicking the Format button. After all
options are set, the user selects the Graph tab to view the generated graph:
The user may also change the format options in this tab, and copy the graph to
clipboard for use in other applications.
For further information on the Graphing refer to the topics Plotting the Size
Data Graphs 265 in the Mass Balancing section and Presentation of Model
Fitting Results 287 in the Model Fitting section..
2.16
Changes to Graphing
42
JKSimMet V6 Manual
and where the data is user editable (e.g. experimental) it can be modified in the
Info Blocks. The Info Blocks may be accessed from either the Flowsheet menu or
the toolbar:
The user selects the number of parameters then clicks on each cell to define the
parameter or data to be displayed:
43
The user then selects the streams or equipment to apply the info blocks to and
clicks Add Info Block. For further information on the Info Blocks refer to the
Information Blocks 158 topic in the section Using JKSimMet .
2.17
Each model fit case is represented by a user defined circuit selection. Unlike V5,
each model fit case in V6 is associated with unique parameter selection lists
they are not shared between model fit cases. Also it is not possible to fit model
parameters for equipment that is not in the selected circuit for the fit case.
44
JKSimMet V6 Manual
Master/Slave fitting of multiple data sets is controlled from this window. For
further information on model fitting refer to the Model Fitting 272 section.
2.18
45
In addition, V6 provides the ability to balance assays within size classes as well
as total assays and sizes. Unlike V5, the user does not balance everything at
once. The suggested process to balance a whole circuit:
1.
Make selections for all required equipment, streams, sizes and elements.
2.
Set TPH Solids and Sizes to Adjust and all other components to unused,
then run the balance.
3.
Then set the TPH Solids and Sizes to Fixed, the TPH Water to Adjust and
% Solids to Influence and run the balance again.
4.
Set the TPH Water back to unused and the Elements to Adjust and run
the balance again.
5.
Set the Elements to Fixed and Size x Element to Adjust and run the
balance a final time.
230
section.
Part
III
Installing JKSimMet
Installing JKSimMet
Installing
JKSimMet
3.1
47
The JKSimMet system comes either as a package containing two HASP keys
or dongles and as a download from the JKTech website. This manual is also
available as a download.
Paper copies of the manual and the JKSimMet pdf file are on CD and can be
supplied on special request.
The manual (and help files) contain information on the installation and
maintenance of the JKSimMet software, a tutorial guide for first-time users and
a comprehensive reference chapter (Using JKSimMet 131 ).
3.2
JKSimMet Installation
Hardware /
Software
Requirements
User Privilege
Required
As JKSimMet requires several device drivers the user must have full
administrator privileges to install or uninstall JKSimMet.
JKSimMet V6
Installation
Step 2
Step 3
Ensure that the hard lock key is installed in a USB port in the
computer as this interferes with the installation of the hard lock
drivers. If you have downloaded the program from the JKTech web
site, double click on the appropriate .exe file. This file will have a
name that is unique for your installation. It may be located in a
Downloads directory or wherever else you may have elected to store
it on your hard drive following the download.
Step 4
48
JKSimMet V6 Manual
for 32
bit
Note: The install program may also ask to update your HTML help file viewer.
This will allow full use of JKSimMet V6 help.
If the default
path is not
chosen for
installation
If the default path is not the desired installation location, click on the Change
button in the InstallShield Wizard and follow the instructions to select a new
location.
Non-English
Versions of
Windows
Installing
Additional
Shortcuts
JKSimMet Installation
Installing JKSimMet
49
folder within the Program File sub-menu. Now right-click on the item JKSimMet
V6. When the right-click menu appears it will look similar to the illustration
below.
Making an
accessible
Shortcut
From here you can select to either Pin to Start Menu or Pin to Taskbar. You may
find one of these shortcuts is more convenient, especially if you are going to be
using the program regularly.
JKSimMet Installation
Part
IV
Learning JKSimMet
51
Learning JKSimMet
Learning
JKSimMet
Typical Users of
JKSimMet
4.1
JKSimMet Basics
Some JKSimMet
Basics
4.1.1
Before you can begin to build a new project, you need to get familiar with the
basic concepts covered in this chapter.
52
JKSimMet V6 Manual
Project
A project is the container in which the user stores all of the data related to a
particular body of work. The project contains one or more flowsheets and the
associated equipment and stream data.
Flowsheet
Equipment
Streams
4.1.2
Feed (Solids
Feeder)
Water Feeder
294
Crushers
Jaw Crusher
343
JKSimMet Basics
385
343
Learning JKSimMet
53
385
343
385
343
385
343
419
385
Degradation
Mills
Autogenous
Mill
419
385
360
Ball Mill
Trommel
354
385
Screens
385
360
385
328
325
334
328
325
JKSimMet Basics
54
JKSimMet V6 Manual
334
Double Deck
Screen (One
Under
Product)
DSM Screen
328
325
334
Air Classifier
Hydrocyclone
328
325
298
298
328
325
334
308
328
325
334
328
325
JKSimMet Basics
Learning JKSimMet
55
334
Splitters
O-Sepa
Classifier
2 Product
Splitter
328
325
334
336
Storage/
Transport
3 Product
Splitter
Bin
Stockpile
332
385
332
419
385
332
385
332
385
419
385
341
332
325
Separators
Final Product
Terminator (1300)
Flotation Cell
328
325
325
334
JKSimMet Basics
56
JKSimMet V6 Manual
Flotation
Column
328
325
325
334
328
325
334
328
325
334
325
4.1.3
341
Steps to Building
a Simulation
Model
JKSimMet Basics
1.
2.
3.
Select the models for the equipment and input the required model
data.
4.
Learning JKSimMet
5.
57
These tasks are described in more detail under the heading Building a New
Project 59 , which takes the user through each step.
Once a simulation model of a circuit has been built, the metallurgist can use
JKSimMet to assess the impact of altering various plant conditions on
metallurgical performance, until a satisfactory design or an optimum
operating condition for an existing plant is achieved. The results from
JKSimMet can be exported to Excel for printing, graphing and further
analysis. Data can also be transferred to other programs (such as MS Word),
by copying them to the clipboard and pasting into the other program.
Values calculated in a simulation include:
flow rates of solids and water;
pulp densities (percentage solids);
particle size distributions (if size has been chosen as one of the stream
properties);
Solids and water recoveries.
4.1.4
The standard two button mouse is used as the pointing device in JKSimMet.
This manual refers to left click and right click, which simply means to press
the left or right hand button on the mouse. Note that if the words left or right
are omitted, the default is always left click.
The manual assumes that the user is familiar with common mouse techniques
such as double clicking and click-and-drag.
Note that when you follow a link (underlined blue italics) which takes you to
another topic and you then wish to return to the original topic, clicking the
back button on your mouse will achieve this. That is of course assuming you
have a mouse that is equipped with forward and back buttons.
The Cursor
The cursor is the visual feedback to the user of the current mouse position on
screen. Any click of a mouse button will interact with the image located at that
position. In JKSimMet V6.0.1 the usual form of the cursor is an arrowhead.
When the cursor is over equipment in the flowsheet window and the
flowsheet is unlocked, the cursor will change to show arrows pointing in 4
directions to indicate that the equipment item can now be moved. To achieve
this you can now just hold down the left mouse button and drag the item.
Releasing the mouse button will drop the item into its new location.
Once the left mouse button has been clicked while hovering over an
equipment unit, you will see that the item then has 8 grey squares around its
periphery to indicate it is now selected. If you then double click on the item,
you will bring up the equipment properties dialog box where the attributes of
this equipment can be modified. Alternatively you can right click and select
Properties from the right-click menu.
Cursor
Movement
When working with a flowsheet in JKSimMet, the mouse provides the means
of moving the cursor around the screen and selecting individual streams or
equipment items as required. In the equipment, stream and model data
JKSimMet Basics
58
JKSimMet V6 Manual
windows, the cursor control keys (also known as the arrow keys) may be used
to move the cursor from one data cell to the next. In this case, the movement
will be in the direction of the arrow key used. Otherwise you can still use the
mouse to hover over and click to select, any required data entry cell.
To begin entering data into one of the cells, you can just begin typing once the
cell has been selected. To edit data already existing in a cell, you must first
double-click with the mouse to select the text within that cell. The text in the
cell will then be highlighted with white figures on a blue background. Starting
to type at this point will again just over-type the existing text. If your intention
is to edit the existing text, you need to now single click in the highlighted cell.
You will then see the mouse cursor flashing as a vertical line between the
characters and you can move it to the left or right via the arrow keys.
In summary then, to overwrite existing text, just begin typing once the cell has
been selected. To edit existing text, double-click and then single-click inside
the target cell.
4.1.5
Appearance
As with all MS Windows programs, the preferences that the user sets for the
Windows desktop will provide colours and fonts for many of the tools and
menus within JKSimMet.
Keyboard Access
Most of the functionality of JKSimMet can also be accessed from the keyboard
using standard MS Windows conventions.
4.2
JKSimMet Basics
Learning JKSimMet
59
4.2.1
The stages involved in performing a simulation are outlined below, and the
sections JKSimMet Start Up 60 through to Viewing Individual Stream Data
94 are designed to guide the user through each stage.
Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
Step 4
Step 5
Input feed stream data into the Feeder equipment item - see section
Flowsheet Data - Feeder Equipment 81 .
Step 6
Select the models for the equipment and input the required model
data section Flowsheet Data - Equipment & Models 83 . The data
for the models will usually be derived from plant or test work data.
Some data may also come from previous experience. The user can
review or correct the data at any time after data entry.
Step 7
Step 8
Step 9
Step 10
60
87
60
JKSimMet V6 Manual
4.2.2
99
outlines how to
JKSimMet Start Up
JKSimMet Start
Up
Plug the JKSimMet protection key into the appropriate place in the
computer.
Step 2
Left click on the Windows Start button at the bottom left hand
corner of the screen to open the Start menu.
Step 3
Step 4
Step 5
Changing
Window Size
Note that the session window can be re-sized using the minimize and
maximize buttons (top right corner) or by moving the cursor to any edge of the
window. When it is positioned over the border line the cursor will change
from the arrowhead to a line with arrows on each end; left click and drag with
this cursor to change the window size and release the mouse button when the
window size is as required. Note also that the various sections of the session
window can be re-sized in the same manner.
Learning JKSimMet
4.2.3
61
In this exercise a new project will be created by following the steps outlined
below. The project you are about to create will be a simple closed circuit ball
mill flowsheet.
New Project
Step 1
Define Project
Name
Step 2
A dialog box will open where you can select a suitable directory
(probably somewhere within My Documents would be best) and
also enter a name for the project. Note that you can create a new
sub-directory for this tutorial work by clicking on the icon circled
in the screen grab below.
In this case we will replace the name 'New JKSimMet Project' with
Learner Project. After making this change, click on the Save
button.
You will then be presented with the option to either use the more
62
JKSimMet V6 Manual
Note that once you make this selection, you cannot switch back
again within this same project and you cannot mix icon styles
within a project.
Having made your selection, the new project will open. The name
of the project ('Learner Project' in this case) will be displayed in the
title bar of the main window. The new project will have a default
flowsheet called FlowSheet1, as shown below. It will initially be
empty of any equipment and streams.
Define
Flowsheet Name
Step 3
Learning JKSimMet
4.2.4
63
In this exercise a flowsheet for a comminution plant will be created using the
graphics-based flowsheet drawing tools in JKSimMet. Check that the flowsheet
is not locked before you begin - the Lock button (
) should not be depressed.
However, the flowsheet should be unlocked by default, after you have just
created a new project.
Save the
Flowsheet
As with all computer programs, your work should be saved regularly to avoid
loss of data. To save changes to the project, click on the Save Project button or
select Save Project from the File menu.
Select the
Flowsheet from
Left Panel
Step 1
The far left panel contains the list of flowsheets that are contained
in the current project. In this case, there is only one flowsheet. This
is the default flowsheet that was created along with your new
project and has now been re-named as Learner Flowsheet. Note that
the project name and the flowsheet name now appear in the title bar
at the top of the window.
The Learner Flowsheet will be selected by default since there are no others.
64
JKSimMet V6 Manual
The available equipment list is displayed in the centre panel of the session
window. The equipment icons are grouped by equipment functionality,
progressing from the feed end of the plant to the final product. An exception is
that Separators are placed in a group at the end of this list, since they are not so
often required in JKSimMet, this program being primarily a comminution
modelling tool.
To the right of this list is a large blank area where you will be constructing the
new flowsheet.
If your project had more than one flowsheet, to change the flowsheet selection
you would need to double click on the required flowsheet in the left-panel list.
The selected flowsheet's contents would then appear in the right (flowsheet
display) panel.
Create New
Equipment
Units on the
Flowsheet
The new blank flowsheet is now ready for equipment to be added. Note that a
flowsheet MUST have at least one Feed equipment unit, as it is in the Feed
equipment unit that the feed stream data are defined. So we will add this first.
Add Feed
Equipment
Step 2
Double click on the Feeds Folder and then click on the Feed
equipment icon from the equipment list and then place the cursor
over the flowsheet. The arrow cursor will change to the equipment
placement cursor (a cursor with the equipment icon next to it - see
below).
Move the cursor to the position on the flowsheet where you require
the Feed equipment to be placed and click again. You can move it
later, so there is no need to be precise. If you change your mind
about adding an item you have selected before you have placed it
on the flowsheet, just right-click to cancel the placement.
Add the Ball
Mill
Step 3
The Ball Mill equipment item should now be added to the flowsheet
in the same manner as the Feed equipment. To do this, open the
Mills folder and click on the ball mill icon in the equipment list,
move the cursor to the required position on the flowsheet and click
again.
Learning JKSimMet
65
Add the
Ancillary
Equipment
Units
Step 4
Add Water
Feeders to the
Flowsheet
Step 5
You now need to add two Water Feeder units, which should be
added so that their locations are similar to those shown in the
screen grab below.
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JKSimMet V6 Manual
Exercise:
Adding
Multiple Units
To add multiple units, press Ctrl when selecting an equipment item from the
list. Instances of the selected unit can then be placed by repeatedly left clicking
on the flowsheet. The process can be discontinued by right clicking anywhere
on the flowsheet, or by clicking on the arrowhead (Select) button in the toolbar (
).
Exercise:
Deleting Units
If you have multiple units on a flowsheet, some of which you don't require,
deleting the surplus units is simple. Clicking on an individual unit will select
it and you can select multiple units by holding down the Ctrl key for your
subsequent selections. After one or more units have been selected, you can just
hit the Delete key to remove them. Alternatively, you can select Delete from the
Edit drop-down menu. A dialog box (shown below) will then be displayed,
which asks you to confirm the deletion - the purpose of this being to reduce the
chances of accidental deletion.
Note that if you press the Delete key and nothing happens, it will most likely be
because the flowsheet is currently locked. In this case, click on the Lock button (
) and try again.
Add the Final
Product Icon
Step 6
Learning JKSimMet
Copying
Equipment
Units
67
Multiple units may also be added by placing a single unit on a flowsheet in the
normal manner, then selecting this equipment item by clicking once on it before
copying and pasting to wherever else it is needed on the flowsheet.
There are many alternative ways to achieve the copy and paste operation.
Copying can be done by pressing Ctrl and C or by clicking the Copy button (
) on the toolbar. Alternatively you can select Copy from the Edit menu or
from the right-click menu (with the mouse cursor placed over the equipment
item in question). Multiple units may then be placed on the flowsheet by
performing a paste operation at locations where the extra units are required.
Again this can be achieved in a number of ways; by pressing Ctrl and V, by
clicking the Paste button (
) on the toolbar or by selecting Paste from the Edit
menu or from the right-click menu.
Another method of copying existing units is to select the unit, hold down both
the left mouse button and the Ctrl key while hovering over the unit and then
with both these held down, drag with the mouse to the location where you
require a copy to be placed. Letting go of the mouse button will then drop a
copy into this position.
Which of these methods you use is a matter of preference.
Position
Equipment
Equipment units may be moved around the flowsheet window, providing that
the flowsheet is not locked. Simply place the cursor over the equipment to be
moved, click & hold down the left mouse button and drag this equipment to
your preferred location. Now release the mouse button to drop the equipment
into its new position. If there are streams attached to the equipment, they will
remain attached while the equipment is being moved. You may sometimes
need to modify the route taken by the streams associated with equipment you
have moved, for aesthetic reasons or to restore clarity to the flowsheet. The
manipulation of streams on your flowsheet is covered under the next topic.
Change
Equipment
Appearance
You can also change the appearance of individual equipment items. Double
click the equipment on the flowsheet or right click and select Properties from
the right-click menu to bring up the Component Properties window. You can
then use the Line and Fill tabs, to modify how this equipment appears on the
flowsheet. For instance, the fill colour, outline thickness and outline colour
may all be altered using this function. You can click Apply to check the
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JKSimMet V6 Manual
appearance after your changes while the Component Properties window is still
open.
Name
Equipment
The equipment can be named and labelled for ease of identification. Steps 7
and 8 detail the procedure for naming and labeling equipment.
Step 7
Label the
Equipment
Step 8
Remove or Reposition an
Equipment
Label
The labels for individual items of equipment may also be removed if desired by
double-clicking on the equipment, selecting the Auto Labels tab and
unchecking the On/Off check-box. This enables the user to only display
selected equipment labels. In the above flowsheet we have disabled the
equipment labels for the two water addition units.
Auto labels may be formatted by selecting Equipment Auto Label Properties
from the Edit pull-down menu. This option allows changes to font size, style
and colour, as well as allowing changes to the background colour and line
thickness and colour of the equipment label itself.
Equipment labels can be moved by double clicking on the unit or the label. In
the resulting Component Properties dialog box, choose the Auto Label tab and
change the position of the labels by selecting from the options under the Auto
Learning JKSimMet
69
The orientation of equipment can be changed so that the feed end is facing left
or right, as required. In the next step you will change the feed direction for the
ball mill and its pump on your Learner Flowsheet.
Step 9
Ensure the flowsheet is unlocked. Place the cursor over the Pump
Sump equipment item and single click to select. Click the Flip
Vertical button on the toolbar to create a mirror image of the
equipment. Repeat this sequence for the Ball Mill.
Note that the Flip Horizontal button would be used less frequently since most
equipment icons are designed to look recognizable in their default orientations.
However, for some icons (e.g. the water feeder), flipping horizontally does not
make them look odd and it may sometimes be useful.
Auto Save
Function
The first stage of building the flowsheet is complete and the flowsheet should
look similar to the one shown below. Remember to save the project regularly.
Note that JKSimMet has an auto save function that will save the current project
approximately every 3 minutes. This is done in the background and the user
should not notice it happening. If for some reason the program crashes, the
auto saved project can then be opened on re-starting the program and saved
with the appropriate file name.
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Matching
Equipment
Dimensions
Learning JKSimMet
71
Changing
Orientation of
Equipment
Along with the Flip Vertical button and Flip Horizontal buttons discussed
earlier, there are a number of other buttons in JKSimMet that can be used to
change the orientation of a particular piece of equipment. These buttons are
also located on the Draw toolbar and are the 'Rotate', Rotate Left and Rotate
Right buttons. The Rotate Left and Rotate Right buttons will rotate the
selected item anti-clockwise and clockwise respectively, by 90 degrees, each
time you click on them. Intermediate angles of orientation can be achieved
using the Rotate button. When you click on this button and then move the
mouse over the selected item, you will see the cursor shown below. Move this
cursor to one end or one side of the item, hold down the left mouse button and
drag around in the direction of the rotation required.
Aligning
Equipment
Items
If the user wants to ensure that several pieces of equipment on the flowsheet
are exactly aligned with one another, there are a number of tools for doing this.
There are six buttons on the Draw toolbar for aligning equipment tops, middles
(horizontal), bottoms, left sides, centres (vertical) and right sides. To use the
align tools, select the equipment to be aligned by pressing Ctrl while clicking
with the mouse on the desired items. Again, the piece of equipment surrounded
by grey squares is the one to which the rest of the equipment will be aligned
and thus it needs to be selected last. Once your selection is made, press the
desired align button on the toolbar.
Spacing
Equipment
Items
Different pieces of equipment may also be evenly spaced both horizontally and
vertically from one another. To do this, select multiple pieces of equipment in
the usual way and press the Space across or Space down buttons on the
toolbar.
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4.2.5
JKSimMet V6 Manual
Moving a Group
of Equipment
Items
If you wish to move a whole block of equipment items, you need to first select
them as a group by dragging your mouse around them with the left button
depressed. Each unit inside the area you have delineated will now be
surrounded by squares to indicate selection. The units highlighted in this way
can be moved as a group by clicking and dragging any one of the selected
units.
Adjusting
Equipment
Positioning
The next step is to create streams to join the equipment units that have been
placed on the flowsheet. Note that for the flowsheet to operate correctly, all
input and output ports must have feed and product streams respectively
connected to them.
The flowsheet must be unlocked in order to add streams.
Add Streams
Step 1
Step 2
Learning JKSimMet
73
instructions above. Often however, you will need to make the stream
lines follow a more complex path to avoid drawing them over the
top of other items of equipment or over other stream lines. Also, for a
neater presentation, you will probably want to have your stream
lines generally follow an orthogonal pattern on the flowsheet, rather
than being oriented at many different angles.
This is easily achieved as follows:
Once you have connected one end of a stream, you can insert points
of inflexion to control the route that the stream takes to its
destination item of equipment. To do this you simply click the left
mouse button at intermediate locations where you wish to have the
steam change direction. Each time you do this, the stream will be
anchored at the current cursor position and you can then move the
mouse in a new direction, either to make further points of inflexion
(as required), or else to the connection port on the target equipment
item.
Stream
Inflexion Points
You can later move the points of inflexion, if required. When you
hover the mouse cursor over an inflexion point, you will see that it
changes to a little square with tiny arrow heads pointing away from
each side of the square ( ). You can now hold down the left mouse
button and drag to the required new location.
Further points of inflexion can also be added after the stream is
completed. Start by selecting the stream and then hovering the
mouse cursor over the straight line part of a stream where you wish
to place the new point of inflexion. The cursor will initially have the
symbol that indicates the stream can now be moved ( ). However,
when you hold down the Control key, the cursor will change to
indicate a new point of inflexion can be inserted ( ). Now to
complete the insertion, just left- click the mouse.
You can delete points of inflexion if you have added more than you
need. This is achieved by first selecting the stream and then holding
down the Control key as you hover your mouse over the point you
wish to delete. When close to an inflexion point, the cursor will
change to a cross ( ) and you can then left-click to complete the
deletion. The stream will revert to a straight line joining the points
on either side of the one deleted.
Step 3
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JKSimMet V6 Manual
JKSimMet will not allow connecting streams to be drawn that could not exist in
a real plant. For example, JKSimMet does not allow streams to be drawn from
one product outlet to another.
Redraw
Note that streams will remain attached if equipment units are moved after they
have been connected by streams. Be aware however that this may result in an
incomplete stream display upon completion of the move. In this case you can
use the Redraw button on the Flowsheet toolbar to redraw your flowsheet. This
should correct any problems that might have become evident as a result of your
editing.
Naming the
Streams
When you create new streams on a flowsheet, they will all be allocated names
automatically by the program. However, these names may not be very
meaningful to you. Thus it is recommended that you change the names so that
they will be easily recognised during data analysis and later when they appear
in your reports.
Step 4
Learning JKSimMet
75
The names that you allocate to the streams can be made to appear on your
flowsheet as stream labels (see below). To do this, click on the Stream Auto
Labels button or select Stream Auto Label from the View menu. Note that again,
both the menu item and the button act as toggles, so clicking either again will
make the labels disappear.
The Stream Auto Labels may be formatted by selecting Stream Auto Label
Properties from the Edit pull-down menu. This option allows changes to font
size, style and colour, as well as allowing changes to the background colour
and line thickness plus the colour of the stream label itself. The screen grab
below shows our flowsheet with both the Equipment and Stream Auto Labels
switched on.
Location of a
Stream Label
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JKSimMet V6 Manual
A further addition that can be made on this tab is to add an arrow head to
indicate the direction of flow of a stream. If you wish to do this, click the On/
Off box in the End Arrow section and click OK after selecting the desired arrow
head length and width.
Hiding
Individual
Stream Labels
Note that on the Drawing tab of this dialog box, there is also the option of not
displaying the stream label for the selected stream. If the On/Off check box to
the left of the position radio buttons is unchecked, then the label for this stream
will no longer appear when the Stream Auto Labels toggle is switched on. If
there are a number of stream labels that you don't wish to have displayed, then
you can arrange this by first doing a multiple selection of the streams
concerned. Then just select Properties from the right click menu and uncheck
the On/Off check box.
Changing
Stream Line
Appearance
Changes can be made to both the thickness and colour of stream lines. Again
double click on a stream in the flowsheet and select the Line tab in the
Component Properties dialog box. If you change the selection for either one of
these properties, you will see that the Apply button will become activated. If you
wish, you can use this button to check the effect of the change you are
proposing to make, without closing the dialog box. Note however that pressing
cancel will not undo this change. If you are not happy with the modified
appearance, then you need to click on the line width or style that was originally
selected, before you pressed the Apply button. Alternatively, if you are confident
that your selection will give the desired result, you can just click on OK to close
and keep your modifications.
Learning JKSimMet
77
Delete a Stream
Streams can be deleted in the same manner as equipment. First ensure the
flowsheet is unlocked and single click on a stream. Press the Delete key or
select Delete from the Edit pull-down menu. A dialog box will be displayed
asking you to confirm.
Text Boxes
To add labels that are not associated with any streams or equipment, click the
Text button and then move the cursor onto the flowsheet. A single click will
place a text box on the flowsheet. The size of the box can be adjusted by clicking
on and dragging the handles, when the text box is selected. The text within the
box can be altered by double clicking the box and entering the desired text.
Pressing the Enter key completes the text addition.
The appearance of a text box can be changed by right-clicking on the box and
selecting Properties. The resulting Component Properties window allows the
user to change the text font, colour and size, as well as the box fill colour, line
style and line thickness.
Text boxes may be removed in the same manner as equipment single click the
text box to select it and press the Delete key or select Delete from the Edit
pull-down menu. The orientation of text boxes can be changed in the same
manner as equipment by selecting the Rotate of Flip buttons from the toolbar.
Note that if you edit the text from within the Properties window (as opposed to
editing directly in the text box), when you subsequently close the Properties
window, the text box will automatically resize to neatly accommodate the
revised text. You can over-ride this auto sizing however if you wish; just select
the text box and drag on one of the selection handles to modify its size.
Step 5
Now add a text box to your flowsheet and edit the text so that it just
contains the name of this flowsheet (Learner Flowsheet).
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JKSimMet V6 Manual
4.2.6
Step 1
Learning JKSimMet
Step 2
79
Close System
Properties
Step 3
Step 4
A window similar to the one shown below will then open, which
will already have a default sieve series listed.
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JKSimMet V6 Manual
Learning JKSimMet
81
We are just going to use the one sieve series for all streams in this
case. The program does allow for you to use different screen sets for
different streams for data input but the Master sieve series is used
for balancing, fitting and simulating. The two buttons to the left of
the root 2 button are for adding or deleting additional columns of
sieve sizes. Note that you cannot delete the Master sieve sizes
column - there must always be at least one set of sieves for any
project. In cases where you have added an extra column of sizes, the
Stream table to the right allows you to select which of the alternative
sieve series is to be used for the different streams in your flowsheet.
When you press the OK button, you may get a warning like the one
below.
Its purpose is to remind you that if you did have any data already
entered, changing the sieve series being used will result in the
resetting of your entered data to zeros.
4.2.7
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JKSimMet V6 Manual
Open Equipment
Window
Step 1
Step 2
Data Field
Colour
Conventions
General Note: There are three different background colours used to indicate
the different categories of data present in the JKSimMet windows:
1.
2.
3.
Medium grey user entry is not required but the data will change
depending on a user selection or calculation during simulation (e.g.
TPH water).
Step 3
Now click on the Sizing data tab and the window will change to
something like the one below; except that all the Exp column
values will be initially set to either zero or 100. Now enter the
experimental values for these sizing data, as shown below. Note
that you can enter these data using the normal Ctrl C for the copy
operation in Excel, followed by Ctrl V for the paste operation in
JKSimMet, once you have selected the top cell of the sizing data
range.
Note however, that in order for the data you enter to be interpreted
correctly, you must ensure the appropriate button is selected on
the main tool bar, so that it matches the form of the sizing data you
are pasting or typing in. The alternatives are % retained (
),
cumulative % retained (
) and cumulative % passing (
). In
this case we are typing in cumulative % passing data, so make
sure the appropriate button (
paste operation.
Learning JKSimMet
83
For this exercise, there is no requirement to fill in data on the other two tabs.
These tabs are for the entry of assay data and such data are not needed since
here we are carrying out a comminution simulation exercise. Once more you
should save your project at this point.
4.2.8
Step 1
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JKSimMet V6 Manual
Step 2
Begin by selecting the Ball Mill from the Equipment Name dropdown list, if it is not already selected.
Step 3
Perfect Mixing
Ball Mill Model
Step 4
The Perfect Mixing Ball Mill model data input screen is shown in the screen
grab above. The first tab (which is selected by default when the window
opens), is the Scaling tab. On this tab you enter the dimensions of the mill to be
simulated, its rotational speed (expressed as the fraction of critical speed), the
loading of the mill, the work index of the ore being treated and the ball top
size. Default values are provided for each of these items when this window is
first opened. For this exercise, you should modify the default values to line up
with the values displayed in the white cells of the screen grab above.
On this tab it is possible to scale up (or down) in cases where the parameter
fitting has been done for a different sized mill to the one that is specified in the
Building a New Project
Learning JKSimMet
85
current flowsheet. This is the purpose of the right hand table under the
Original Mill heading.
Ball Mill Perfect
Mixing Model Rate/Discharge
Function Tab
Step 5
Step 6
For the model we will select the Required % Solids model. After
you have selected this from the drop-down, click on the double
arrow button beside this list to access the properties of the chosen
model.
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JKSimMet V6 Manual
For this model, the only value to be entered is the required % solids
value. We will select 58% as the required % solids, which will then
be the pulp density of the feed to the ball mill cyclone. Close the
equipment window for the water feeder.
Water Feeder for Ball Mill Feed
Stream
Step 7
Now double-click on the Ball Mill Feed water feeder and perform
the same sequence, this time selecting 73% as the required % solids
value. With this model and this parameter value selected, the
water flow will be adjusted during the simulation so as to achieve
73% solids for the pulp density of the total feed to the mill. Close
the equipment window for this water feeder.
Cyclone - Model
Selection
Step 8
Learning JKSimMet
87
Models have now been selected for all of the equipment and the
flowsheet is ready to be simulated.
Remember to save the project.
4.2.9
Simulation
Now that your flowsheet has been set up with models assigned to all
appropriate equipment items and values have been entered for their relevant
parameters, you can proceed with a Simulation of this circuit.
Open the
Simulate
Window
Step 1
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JKSimMet V6 Manual
streams are highlighted in heavy blue to indicate that they are all
initially selected.
You will notice that by default the Simulation Select List dropdown displays 'Whole Circuit'. Initially this is the only select list
available. You can however add your own select lists if you wish
to simulate certain parts of the circuit in isolation. For this exercise
however, we will be simulating the whole circuit only.
Note that the check boxes for selecting and de-selecting individual
items of equipment and streams can only be modified once you
have defined (and selected from the drop-down), your own partial
circuit for simulation. When defining a partial circuit, you will
notice that as you select streams or equipment items from the list,
they become highlighted on the flowsheet (in heavy blue), to
indicate selection. A partial circuit consisting of the cyclone and
its feed and product streams is shown in the screen grab below.
If you try this, be sure to select the Whole Circuit from the drop
down box before continuing.
Learning JKSimMet
Adjust the
Simulation
Settings
Step 2
89
In the Settings region, you will see that the default Convergence
limit is set at 0.0000001 and the default number of Iterations value
is 1000. Both of these values can be left at their default settings.
The Interpolation can be left as Spline and the Starting Condition
as Experimental.
Click on the Start button to start the simulation. It also displays
the convergence value and the number of iterations that the
simulation algorithm has performed to reach convergence, see
below. These values are updated while the simulation is
proceeding.
Run Simulation
Step 3
Completed
Simulation
The iteration count will proceed until either convergence to the defined
convergence value has been reached, or the maximum number of iterations
has been reached, whichever occurs first. This flowsheet should simulate to
convergence in about 70 or so steps, if set up as described.
Close Simulate
Window
Step 4
Step 1
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JKSimMet V6 Manual
data you wish to view. In this case we wish to view the simulated
data, so select 'Stream Data (Sim)' from the drop-down.
Note that the screen grabs below are incorrect in one respect. The
grabs were taken from an earlier test version of the program and the
cells in some of the simulated data columns appear white. In fact all
columns containing simulated data should be grey, to indicate they
cannot be edited.
The Function
of the Lock
Button
Adding
Columns and
Rows
Some aspects of this table's layout can be modified. The Lock button (
) on
this Window's toolbar acts as a toggle that determines the functionality of
certain actions in terms of the table configuration changes that can be achieved.
If the Lock button is down, you can add columns and rows to the table. Also
with the button in this position, clicking on a column header will bring up a
dialog box for setting up the contents of the selected column. If the Lock button is
up, clicking on the column headers does not have the aforementioned affect, but
it will allow you to make changes to the order of the columns and the same for
the rows.
Step 2
Adding a
Column to
Display
Volume Flow
Step 3
Initially, the new column will just have 'No Selection' as its column
header. The next step is to set up this column with the information
that you require it to display. Clicking on the column header will
bring up a dialog box where the contents of the new column can be
specified.
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91
Step 4
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JKSimMet V6 Manual
Select 4.75 mm from this dialog. When you press OK after this
selection, the value 4.75 will be displayed in the grey box to the right
of the Option 1 drop-down and Option 2 will become available for
selection.
Select 'View As' from the Option 2 drop-down.
This will bring up another dialog box from which you should select
'Cum % Retained'.
Learning JKSimMet
93
When you OK this selection, the overview will look something like
the one below, with a new column showing the amount of solids that
is coarser than 4.75 mm in each of the streams.
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JKSimMet V6 Manual
Stream Order
and Column
Order
Changes
Step 5
The order that the stream names appear in this table is the same
order in which their associated equipment items were added to the
flowsheet when it was first drawn. To change this order, you need to
first click on the Lock button - so that is in the up or unlocked
position. In this exercise we will just move the Cyc feed Water down
to the bottom of the table.
Now click the left mouse button while hovering your mouse over the
name cell for stream (row) that you wish to move (i.e. in this case the
Cyc feed Water stream).
With the mouse still over this row, hold down the left mouse button
and drag this row to its new location. As you move the mouse,
potential new locations will be marked by a red line. When you are
satisfied with the indicted new position, let go of the mouse button
and the required change will be completed. The same method can be
used to change the relative location of columns in this table.
The screen grab below shows the Cyc feed Water row in the process
of being moved.
Note that you can select multiple adjacent rows or columns by just clicking,
holding down and dragging - provided that the column or row you begin this
process on has not already been selected. Once the required group of rows or
columns has been selected, you can then click, hold-down and drag again and
this time the dragging process will move the selected group into a new position,
as indicated by the red line.
We have now set up an overview to show the results of our simulation. For more
information on the Configurable Stream Overview and its capabilities, go to the
topic Using the Configurable Stream Overview 213 .
In the real world, you would be looking at these simulation results and
assessing whether this circuit is achieving the required results and if not,
considering what changes might be made to improve the situation.
After an analysis of your simulation results, the circuit configuration could be
altered and/or the capacity and characteristics of the equipment items changed
before repeating the simulation process. There may be several iterations of this
sequence required before you are satisfied with the results being obtained.
Finally, don't forget to save your project after a session such as this, to protect
against losing your work in the event of a power outage or other mishap.
Learning JKSimMet
Open Stream
Window
Step 1
95
Select Data to
view
Step 2
The user can, from this point, choose to view the data for any of the
streams in the active flowsheet by first selecting the required stream
from the Stream Name drop down and then clicking on the double
arrow to the right of this drop-down to open the Stream Data
window.
An alternative method of getting at the Stream Data window for any
individual stream is to double-click directly on the line representing
that stream on the flowsheet. This will open the Stream Data
window for the stream directly, without going first to the Streams
window.
Stream Data
Window
The layout of the Stream Data window is the same for every stream. A tabbed
interface is used to display the different categories of stream data. The first tab
shows the Total values for the stream, including the TPH Solids, the TPH Water,
% Solids values and others. The other three tabs are labelled Sizing Data,
Elemental assay data and Size by elemental assay data respectively.
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JKSimMet V6 Manual
Click on any of the four tabs to view the data in the relevant categories. On each
of the tabs, there are columns to show the types of data associated with the
parameters listed on that tab. For example, on the Totals tab is a column for the
SD (standard deviation) data. This is where a reliability estimate is assigned to
the individual parameters that have been measured for this stream. Larger SD
values indicate reduced confidence in the experimental value and allow the
program to move further away from these values during balancing.
Viewing the
Sizing Data
Step 3
To view the sizing data, click on the second tab of the Stream Data
window. The row labels will now be the screen sizes that have been
previously entered. Note that at any time you can change the way the
sizing data are expressed throughout the program, using the buttons
on the main toolbar.
The sizing data can be expressed as either % Retained (
Retained (
) or Cum % Passing (
), Cum %
).
Learning JKSimMet
97
On the other two tabs are the Elemental Assay Data and the Size by Elemental
Assay Data. On these tabs, the data types displayed are limited to Exp, SD, Mbal
and Error. This is because in JKSimMet, none of the models deal with
predictions of assays and we are not generally dealing with processes that
result in any differentiation in grade.
Copying Data
into Excel
Step 4
To copy data from the tab that is currently chosen, first select the
required data, then click on the copy button (
) located at the far
right of the Stream data window toolbar - as shown below.
If you then open MS Excel, you will be able to paste the current data grid into the
active sheet, with your chosen cursor position being the top left hand corner of
the grid.
Close
Windows
) in the top
Step 1
Step 2
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Remove
Unwanted
Streams
Step 3
Add a Data
Column
Step 4
For the practice, we will assume that you don't wish to display the
data for the Cyc Feed in this overview. To remove it from the display,
click anywhere in this row and then click on the Delete Rows (
button.
To insert an extra column, click in any column of the table and then
click on the Insert Column button (
). This will add a blank
column to the right of the cursor. The new column will just have "No
Selection" as the header and all of its fields will initially be grey; as
illustrated in the screen grab below. Note that you can also add a
new column that is a replica of an existing column. To do this you
click in one of an existing column's cells and then click on the Copy
Column button (
). When you do this, a replica of the selected
column will be placed immediately to its right. This may be more
efficient if the column being added is to be very similar to an existing
column, but with just the data type changed perhaps or the mode of
display changed - e.g. from % Retained to Cum % Retained.
Define the
Data Shown in
a Column
Step 5
Learning JKSimMet
99
"value" and from the Option 3 drop-down list select the type of data
to be displayed (e.g. experimental, simulated etc.).
Export the
Configurable
Stream
Overview
table
Step 6
Clone the
Configurable
Stream
Overview
table
Note that the user is able to create clones of existing tables in the Configurable
Stream Overview by clicking on the Clone Overview button.
Step 1
To quit from JKSimMet click on the cross in the top right hand
corner of the session window or select Exit from the File menu. A
JKSimMet prompt will ask to save the changes if changes have
been made and not yet saved. Click on "Yes" to save any changes.
Simulation of the simple comminution circuit has been completed and the
simulation data have been examined. In the next exercise the operation of the
circuit will be changed by varying the parameters of some of the components,
and then running simulations to observe the predicted results.
Before doing this, end the JKSimMet session as explained above.
4.3
Now that a simple comminution circuit has been successfully simulated, this
exercise will demonstrate how to:
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4.3.1
Step 1
Load an Existing
Project
Step 2
Loading a Project
when Another
Project is Still
Open
Note however, that on occasions when you do wish to deal with two different
projects at the same time, you can open a second instance of JKSimMet and
then use this instance to open the second project. It would be wise though to
avoid having the same project open in both instances. This could potentially
result in problems - especially if you go to save data that may have been
changed in both instances.
Learning JKSimMet
4.3.2
101
Step 1
Create a New
Simulation
Scenario
Step 2
When you click on OK, the initial framework for the new
simulation scenario will be set up. This will have a single column,
with "No Selection" as the header.
Configure the
Simulation
Scenario
Step 3
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Selecting the
Parameter to be
Changed
Step 4
Once you have made these selections, click on the Apply button at
the bottom of this dialog. The Simulation Manager window should
look similar to the image below. You will notice that now the
Simulation 1 cell for the cyclone parameter we have selected is
available for data entry.
Learning JKSimMet
Selecting the
Type of Change
and Specifying
the Amount of
Change
Required
Step 5
103
Adding a
Simulation
Step 6
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JKSimMet V6 Manual
Step 7
Set up Columns
for the Results
you wish to
Monitor
Step 8
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105
Notice that the buttons for adding and deleting rows from the table
are not available when you are on either of the results tabs. You
need to return to the Simulation Scenario tab if you wish to set up
further scenarios for simulation. The buttons for adding columns
however are available and these can be used to add any
characteristics of the streams or equipment that you would like to
monitor following simulations under the various scenarios. Note
that you do need to repeat the simulations if you add further
columns because the cells in any new columns will be just
populated by zeros until the simulations have been re-run.
Step 9
Now select the Results - Equip tab, add a column and click the top
row of the column to bring up the dialog for selecting the
equipment and equipment parameters for display. Select Cyclone
from the first drop-down, Perform Data from the second and Op
Pressure from the fourth. Notice that the third drop-down (Option)
is de-activated. It is only required for a very limited number of
equipment types.
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When you click on the Close button, another dialog box will
appear where you select the types of data that you wish to
display.
Once you have made the selection and closed this dialog, you will
be returned to the Simulation Manager window, which will now
look something like the screen grab below.
Learning JKSimMet
107
Rename the
Scenario
Step 10
You can change the name of the scenario easily by pressing the
Rename Scenario button. This will bring up a dialog box like the
one shown below. Change the name to something that will be
more suggestive of what the current scenario has been set up to
investigate - in this case perhaps something like "Cyclone Vortex
Finder Changes".
Run a Simulation
on the Selected
Row
Step 11
108
4.3.3
JKSimMet V6 Manual
Where you have multiple equipment items that are using the same model, you
can assign these to a group which can then be selected instead of an individual
equipment item. When this is done, any changes in the settings that you make
to the equipment or model parameters for the group will apply to all of the
equipment items assigned to that group. Once you have set up groups, these
will become available as alternatives to just selecting individual equipment
items from the top drop-down list in the Scenario Manager window. Note that
the defining feature of a Group is that all members of the Group will be using
the same model, with the same parameter settings.
Edit Groups
Button
Step 1
Step 2
Click on the Add Group button at bottom left of this dialog. This will
bring up an Add New Group dialog where you can provide a name
for the new group and then select from all possible models
associated with the types of equipment that exist in your flowsheet.
Learning JKSimMet
109
In this case we do not have multiple equipment items using the same model,
but we will go through the exercise anyway to demonstrate how it works.
Step 3
Note that you do not have to assign all of the equipment items that use this
model to this group. Some of them could be left outside the group to be set up
individually for simulations. Alternatively, you might wish to have two
groups. For instance you could have "Perf Mix BM Group 1" and "Perf Mix BM
Group 2". Both groups would necessarily consist of mills that use the perfect
mixing model, but each could be set up with different parameter values within
any given simulation.
Step 4
When you close the Add New Group window, you will see the new
group you have added in the right hand panel of the Select
Equipment for Groups window. This new group will initially
contain no equipment items. When you click on it however, you will
be able to see in the left hand panel, all of the equipment items on
your flowsheet that are currently set up to use the model associated
with the selected group.
Now use Ctrl or Shift click on the equipment items from the left
panel to select all of those that you wish to include in the group and
then click on the transfer button to move these items into the
selected group. In this case there is only one equipment item - the
ball mill. Click on this item and then click on the transfer button to
move it into the "Perf Mix BM Group". Just prior to the transfer, the
window should look similar to the one shown below.
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After the transfer, the window will look like the screen grab below,
now with the equipment item that was selected from the left panel,
appearing in the right panel, under the selected group.
Learning JKSimMet
111
Note that once you have assigned an item of equipment to a group, you will no
longer be able to select this item of equipment individually. This is because by
definition, all members of the group will have the same parameter values.
Similarly, once you have set up a column with a particular parameter selected
for a given item of equipment, you will not be able to set up another column
with the same equipment and parameter selections.
4.3.4
Step 1
Step 2
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Add a New
Simulation
Scenario
Step 3
Now click on the "No Selection" at the top of the default column that
will be present on the Simulation Scenario tab. This will bring up
the Equipment/Tab/Option/Parameter window. Note that you must
have the Lock button (
) in the down position for this dialog to
activate. From the Equipment/Group drop-down list, select "Ball
Mill".
Step 4
Select Scaling from the Tab drop-down and then select Ore Work
Index from the Parameter drop-down.
Step 5
When you click on the Close button from the above window, a Select
Properties window will open. Here you should just tick the checkbox for "Sim" since the Org (original) values are only relevant for
when you are fitting - not for simulating.
Learning JKSimMet
113
On closing this window you will find that the Simulation Manager
now looks like the screen grab below.
Step 6
Add Columns
Step 7
) three times.
Next add two more columns by pressing the Insert Column button (
) twice.
Step 8
Using the same procedure as described above for setting up the first
column, set up the second column for adjusting the fraction of
critical speed that this ball mill is operating at. Similarly, set up the
third column for adjusting the load fraction for the ball load in this
mill.
Step 9
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higher ore work index should of course be entered for all four
simulations. The Simulation Manager window should now look
similar to the screen grab below.
Step 10
Now go to the Results - Streams tab and set up columns for the
results you wish to observe on running these simulations. Say in
this case we are just interested in the cyclone U/F solids TPH, %
solids and cyclone O/F P80. There will be one column present by
default so you will need to add two more columns. Set these up in
the same way as you have done for the columns on the Simulation
Scenario tab.
Step 11
Once the columns have been set up for the results you wish to
observe, click on the Sim All button (
) to simulate each of the
plant conditions that you defined back on the Simulation Scenario
tab. The Simulation Manager should now look similar to the one
shown below, with simulated outcomes for each of the sets of
parameter values.
Learning JKSimMet
115
We can see from the values obtained above that with both changes
applied to the mill operating conditions, the simulator is predicting
that production can be returned to the level that existed prior to the
ore hardness change.
Step 12
Step 13
In this window, select "Ball Mill" from the first drop-down and
"Power" from the second. From the Parameter drop-down, select the
total power item for an overflow ball mill.
Step 14
Note that after you have made the selection and closed this window,
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So the results from this exercise have indicated that to minimise the
effect of the harder ore and almost restore the circulating load and
product P80 requires an 18% increase in power.
4.3.5
Learning JKSimMet
Step 2
117
In this case we will enter Ball Mill Overview for the name and select
'Ball Mill (Perfect Mixing)' from the Select Model pull-down list. Since
the flowsheet we have been dealing with for demonstration purposes
has only the one item of each type of equipment, using the
Configurable Equipment Manager in preference to dealing with the
model by clicking on the item of equipment itself does not confer a lot
of advantages. The major benefits of using this option are to be had
when you are dealing with multiple equipment items in your
flowsheet that all use the same model.
Step 3
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JKSimMet V6 Manual
The Default
New
Overview
Window
When first opened, the new overview window contains a single row
labelled 'Ball Mill' because in this case it is the only equipment item in
our flowsheet that uses the Ball Mill (Perfect Mixing) model. If we were
dealing with a flowsheet that had multiple items using this model,
then each of these items would have been listed on a separate row.
The new overview window also contains just the one column to begin
with, which is headed 'No Selection'. This is where we need to carry
out some configuration to display the data that we wish to manipulate
and/or view in relation to the equipment items using this model. To
select the data that you wish to show in any column of an overview,
click on the first line of the column. This brings up a dialog box where
the tabs, options and parameters may be set as is appropriate to
display the required data items.
Step 4
Learning JKSimMet
119
When you then close this dialog, the Configurable Equipment Manager
should look like the image below.
Positioning
Columns
Deleting
Columns
) to remove it.
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JKSimMet V6 Manual
Step 7
Now take note of the mill power reading and change the mill length
from 7.3 to 9.5 m. You will need to re-run the simulation to observe the
effect of this. Back on the main window, click on the large Simulate
button that is located just above the left (flowsheet listing) panel and
press the Start button once this window opens to run the simulation.
Now navigate to the Configurable Equipment Manager. You will then
be able to see any resultant changes to the output parameters
associated with the equipment items of interest. In this case it is just
the power consumption parameter that we have set up for
observation. You should see that this will have increased from around
4395 kW to 5705 kW.
Step 8
The overview may be printed directly from the dialog box, but it is also
possible to copy the overview to the clipboard for pasting into Word,
or export the overview into Excel using the Export function (
).
Using these buttons a single overview may be exported, or if there are
multiple overviews, several can be exported at once using the Export
All function (
4.3.6
).
Step 1
Blocks button (
) on the toolbar. The Streams tab at the top of the
Define Information Blocks window is the default active tab.
Step 2
Set the Select No. Parameters value to 6. After you make this
selection, the Information Block definition table will be generated in
the area beneath the drop-downs. This table will have a cell for each
of the required parameters - 6 in this case. Initially it will just
display 'No Selection' in all of its cells.
Note that the second drop-down is for selecting the recovery basis
stream. This is only relevant where you are dealing with assay data
i.e. in a mass balancing exercise. As the current exercise does not
involve the mass balancing of assays, it is not necessary to make a
selection from this drop-down.
Learning JKSimMet
Selecting the
Type of Data to
Display
121
Step 3
Click in the top left cell to bring up the Selection Options dialog box
for choosing the data that you wish to have displayed in this cell. In
this particular cell we want to display the simulated value for the
solids flow in the streams. Select the appropriate values from the
drop down cells as shown below. Note that for the Streams Info
Blocks, the name for the selected parameter/data type is auto
generated and you do not have the option of modifying this name.
Hence the Selection Name area at the top does not have editable
fields.
Step 4
Carry out the same procedure to display the simulated value for the
volume flow figure in the top right cell of the table.
Step 5
Now repeat for the procedure for the next row down in the table,
this time selecting '% Solids (Sim)' for the left cell and 'Pulp SG
(Sim)' for the right cell. The Information Block set up should now
look like the one shown below.
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JKSimMet V6 Manual
Step 6
For the final row, we will display the Cum % Passing 0.15 mm in
the left cell and Cumulative % Retained on 1.18 mm the right cell,
again with both being simulated values. Click on the bottom left cell
to bring up the Selection Options dialog box once more. This time
select 'Size' from the Option 1 drop down. When you do this,
another dialog will open on which you select the size that you
require data for.
After you have selected the size required, it will appear in noneditable form in the field to the right of the Option 1 drop down.
Step 7
From the Option 2 drop down you should now select the item 'View
As'. When you do this, another dialog box will appear on which
you can select the way in which the sizing data are expressed.
Select 'Cum % Passing' from the options presented on this dialog.
The screen grab below shows the set up during this selection
process.
Learning JKSimMet
123
Your selection here will then appear in the right hand cell next to
Option 2.
Step 8
For Option 3, select 'Simulated'. The set up just before you press the
OK button should look like the one below.
Step 9
Set up the lower right cell in a similar fashion, but this time select
1.18 mm from the Size drop-down at Option 1, Cum. % Passing
from the View As drop-down at Option 2 and once more 'Simulated'
at Option 3.
Step 10
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Note that there is also an Update Info Blocks button. If you make
changes to the info blocks definition, pressing this button will
apply the changes to any info blocks already on your flowsheet. If
you make changes to the definition table and then just press the Add
Info Blocks button, the program will place the new info block but
will also update existing info blocks as well as the contents of the
key in the top left corner.
Step 11
You can now close the Define Information Blocks window. This
will return you to the main window where you may find that you
will need to move and/or resize the key so that the text is readable.
To do this you will need to unlock the flowsheet first. Remember to
lock it again before continuing. Note that you can re-size and move
the Stream Info Blocks themselves, without first unlocking the
flowsheet.
The flowsheet should now look similar to the one below, shown in
the process of expanding the size of the key.
Learning JKSimMet
4.3.7
125
) before clicking on
Step 2
After you have selected the 2 from this list, default parameter names
will appear under Ball Mill - Parameter 0 and Parameter 1. You now
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JKSimMet V6 Manual
Step 3
When you press close on this dialog, a further selection dialog will
appear where you have a choice in this case of displaying either the
simulated or original data. One would normally select simulated
data to be displayed. Click on this check box.
Step 4
When you close this dialog by clicking the apply button, you will
see that 'Parameter 0' will have been replaced by the text you entered
for the fraction of critical speed parameter. Now carry out the same
Version 6.0.1 - March 2014
Learning JKSimMet
127
procedure for the 'Parameter 1', this time selecting 'Load Fraction' as
the parameter. You should end up with the Define Information
Blocks window looking like the screen grab below.
Step 5
Click on the Add Info Block button and this info block will be placed
on your flowsheet, somewhere in the proximity of the ball mill. We
will now add another Equipment Info Block, this time for the
cyclone. The procedure will be much the same. First select Cyclone
from the list of equipment on the left. In this case we will only select
the one parameter to display. You will again see that by default this
will be called Parameter 0 in the definition table.
Step 6
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JKSimMet V6 Manual
After you close this another will open where you select the type of
data that you wish to display for this parameter. In this case we will
assume that only the calculated data type is to be shown. Note that
you can only make a single selection here. Therefore if you wanted
to show say the SD for this parameter as well, you would have to
select 2 parameters for display from the initial drop down, then go
through the same selections until the final data type selection.
Step 7
Tick the Calculated check box and then click on the Apply button.
When you close this dialog, the dialog for selecting the parameter
will also close and you will see the parameter you have defined now
shown in the information block table.
Step 8
Now click on the Add Info Block button and this will place an
Equipment Info Block in close proximity to the cyclone. This info
block will be displaying the calculated D50 value for this cyclone.
You can now close the Define Information Blocks window and the
flowsheet should look something like the one below.
Learning JKSimMet
129
Note that you can change the size and location of the Equipment
Info Blocks as well as the Stream Data Info Blocks without having
to unlock the flowsheet first.
4.4
Summary
By working through the topics under Learning JKSimMet, you should now
have learnt how to:
Create a completely new project and complete all the steps to simulate
a flowsheet.
Display the results of simulations and export them to Excel.
Make changes to an existing flowsheet and re-simulate after the
changes have been made.
Thus if you have worked carefully through the manual to this point, you
should now have the ability to perform all the basic techniques necessary to
use JKSimMet and obtain useful results. The section that follows (Using
JKSimMet) provides a mechanism for referring to and revising any of the skills
learned up to this point.
Part
Using JKSimMet
131
Using JKSimMet
Contents of This
Section
This section covers all the basic operational features of JKSimMet. While the
previous section (Learning JKSimMet) was structured as a tutorial, this
section is structured more as a reference guide to facilitate revision and
consolidation of the knowledge gained so far .
The first chapter in this section is entitled JKSimMet Description 131 and
contains an overview of JKSimMet. Following this there is a topic containing
some Definitions of Key Terms 135 . In the sections that follow there are
descriptions of how the program interfaces with the user; the Menus and
Toolbars 137 and the various Types of Windows 153 used to display
information.
After this there are chapters that cover Building and Manipulating a Circuit
Flowsheet 177 and then on Editing the Flowsheet Data 191 . Finally there are
chapters on Using Simulation 199 , Viewing Summaries of Stream Data 213
and on Using the Reporting Feature 226 .
5.1
JKSimMet Description
About the
Package
What JKSimMet
Can Do
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JKSimMet V6 Manual
changes.
present the data and results on the screen, copy the data to the
clipboard or export results to MS Excel for printing and further
analysis.
Version 6 of JKSimMet is a user-friendly system that uses the Windows
interface, with features such as switching between applications, export of
data via copy and paste functions and drop-down menus for quick editing
and data manipulation.
5.1.1
The Models
Type of Model
Feed
Example
Icon
Feed
Water Feeder
Crusher
Jaw Crusher
Gyratory Crusher
Cone Crusher
Roll Crusher
VSI
HPGR
Degradation
Mills
Autogenous Mill
Rod Mill
Ball Mill
Screens
Trommel
Single Deck Screen
DSM Screen
Double Deck Screen
(one under)
JKSimMet Description
Using JKSimMet
Classifiers
133
Air Classifier
Hydrocyclone
Spiral Classifier
Rake Classifier
O-Sepa Classifier
Splitters
2 Product Splitter
3 Product Splitter
Storage / Transport
Bin
Pump
Pump Sump
Sump
Stockpile
Thickener
Final Product
Separators
Flotation Cell
Flotation Column
Spiral Separator
2 Product Separator
3 Product Separator
There is also the facility to add new equipment models via offline compilation
(contact JKTech for more information).
Model
Descriptions
The equipment may be combined in both simple and complex flowsheet circuits
to enable the user to simulate the operations of plants or subsections of plants.
Simulation outcomes will be dependent on the selection of appropriate process
models (mathematical models) for the equipment items in your flowsheet.
Further control is exercised through the specification of scale for the various
equipment items, the selection of model parameter values and through the
operating data inputs such as the feed stream properties.
The algorithms for each model are outlined in under the Model Descriptions
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134
JKSimMet V6 Manual
section.
5.1.2
JKSimMet Capabilities
Simulation
Capabilities
JKSimMet for
Metallurgists
JKSimMet for
Plant Operators
Size Distribution
There is a maximum of 40 size fractions in the size distribution for any one
stream.
Number of
Flowsheets
Model Fitting
Constraints
In SimMet a user is only able to simulate one flowsheet at a time. There are no
restrictions on the number of parameters that can be fitted.
Number and
Type of Models
The user cannot add new models without assistance. However, JKTech
welcomes suggested new models which will be considered for subsequent
releases of JKSimMet. JKTech can also develop custom models for an
individual client.
Mass Balancing
The updated SimMet mass balance algorithm allows the user to balance any
realistic circuit, provided that they follow the correct mass balance process.
JKSimMet Description
Using JKSimMet
5.1.3
135
JKSimMet Constraints
System
Constraints
While JKSimMet is a powerful and flexible system there are, necessarily, some
constraints. These are:
Number of Flowsheets
Number of Equipment
Units per Flowsheet
5.1.4
Number of Streams
Connected to Equipment
Property: Size
JKSimMet Expandability
Package
Expandability
5.1.5
JKSimMet Description
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JKSimMet V6 Manual
JKSimMet is organized and based upon the concept of a project. A project can
be considered as a portfolio in which the user stores one or more flowsheets
and their related data.
Process Circuit
Flowsheet
A flowsheet consists of one or many process circuits and their related data.
The flowsheet may contain one item of equipment or many. It can contain one
complex multi-stage circuit or many circuits in parallel. While multiple
circuits are acceptable within one flowsheet, there is no facility for linking
circuits from separate flowsheets within a project.
A user may create a project to model several flowsheets, such as a crusher
circuit and a grinding circuit. Simulation would be executed for the crushing
circuit first to a defined convergence, using the equipment data and
configuration supplied. The data resulting from the execution of this
simulation could then be manually passed as input to the grinding circuit
and simulation executed through this circuit to convergence. For both circuits
to be simulated at the same time however, the circuits must be contained
within one flowsheet, which is probably the more sensible approach in this
situation.
When you are comparing two alternative flowsheets, you can first prepare one
of them fully, including the input of the feed data. Then you can create a clone
of this flowsheet, with the clone becoming your starting point for creating the
alternative flowsheet. More detail on this approach is covered under the topic
Creating a New Flowsheet 180 .
Equipment
Process equipment items are components of the circuit. Each equipment item
consists of:
an icon on the flowsheet diagram
a data window that details the process model and associated model
parameters.
Streams
Streams provide the mechanism for the flow of material between equipment
items. The streams can be named by the user and each stream contains the
simulated stream data after simulation. The stream data for the feed stream is
entered into the Feeder equipment rather than directly into the feed stream.
As well as the components outlined above, it is important to understand some
concepts relating to properties and the way these are defined in JKSimMet.
These concepts are described below.
System
Properties
There are two default system properties available for selection in JKSimMet:
Miscellaneous
Elements
There is also the capacity for the user to define their own properties.
JKSimMet Description
Using JKSimMet
Classes of
System
Properties
137
Each of the system properties has one or more classes. The user can define as
many classes of the elements property as desired but is unable to define extra
miscellaneous value properties.
When adding or altering an element the user can change the characteristic
label and units value selected for the element; choosing either a percentage
representation or grams per ton representation. While the user cannot add to
or change the label of the miscellaneous values, they are able to change the
values assigned to them.
These settings are global characteristics that are not changed during
simulation.
5.2
Sieve Series
A sieve series represents the series of gauges used to filter material in the
process circuit. JKSimMet allows the user to add as many sieve series as they
require to each flowsheet in a project. Each series may contain up to 40 size
fractions and once defined, the user is able to assign a particular sieve to
individual streams.
Ports
Each equipment unit has one input port and up to three output ports,
depending on the type of equipment. Only one connector can be attached to
each output port. For the models in JKSimMet the stream characteristics of
interest are density, size distribution and solids and liquid flow rates.
JKSimMet Description
138
5.2.1
JKSimMet V6 Manual
Restore
Clicking on the Restore item changes the Flowsheet window from its default
maximized state into a re-sizeable window within the flowsheet area. When
you do this, the flowsheet symbol (
) will disappear from the left-hand end of
the Main menu and will now be located at the left-hand end of the new resizeable Flowsheet window. Note that with a mouse you can always carry out
the restore function using the Restore button, which is the middle of the three
buttons at the right-hand end of the Main menu - see below.
The items Move and Size are de-activated in the drop-down menu that appears
when you click on the flowsheet symbol on the Main menu. This is because
when the Flowsheet window is maximized it cannot be moved or sized until
after you have pressed Restore to make it a re-sizable window. These two items
are therefore only activated when you click the same symbol on the re-sizeable
Flowsheet window. The resizing or moving of a window is generally best
achieved by using your mouse. However, these commands are there as an
alternative by which you can achieve the same result without the mouse. If you
click on Move, you can then move the window using the keyboard arrow keys. If
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you click on Size, you can use the arrow keys to change the size of the window.
In this case if you initially press the right arrow key, the change in size will be
achieved by movements of the right edge. Conversely initially pressing the left
arrow key will adjust the left edge. The same principle applies to the up and
down arrows and associated changes to the vertical dimension of the window.
5.2.2
Minimize and
Maximize
Minimize and Maximize items are also present on this menu, their activation
status depending on the current status of the window. Minimize reduces the
Flowsheet window to a bar at the bottom of the flowsheet area while Maximize
will resize the Flowsheet window to fill the available space. Both of these
functions are available to mouse users from the buttons at the end of the header
bar of the re-sizeable window.
Close
The second last item on the menu is Close. While this can be used to close the
active Flowsheet, opening a different Flowsheet (the most likely reason to close
an active Flowsheet) will automatically close the active Flowsheet.
Next
The item on this menu labeled Next is currently non-functional in this version
of JKSimMet.
Clicking on the File menu item brings up a list of options relating to the
opening, saving and creating of JKSimMet files. It also includes a list of the
most recently opened files to provide you with quicker access to projects that
you may be working on through a number of sessions. The File menu plus a
brief explanation of the items, is shown below.
New Project (
) - opens the New Project window so that the user
can create and name a new project.
Open Project (
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Many of the functions that are available in the File menu can be accessed via
the icon buttons on the Main Toolbar.
Note that, if required, this toolbar can be moved to a more convenient place on
the screen by clicking and dragging it. When in this state the shape of the
toolbar can be adjusted to personal preference by dragging the edge.
The first three buttons on the Main toolbar provide shortcuts to the standard
New Project, Open Project and Save Project options. The next two buttons are
the copy and paste buttons.
The final button is the Help button. Click on this button to access the
comprehensive JKSimMet help system.
5.2.3
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Undo - reverses the last editing change. You can continue clicking on
this to reverse a whole sequence of editing changes if required.
Redo - this reverses the action taken when the Undo button was last
pressed. Note that it is only available immediately after the Undo
button was pressed. If you carry out another editing action after
pressing Undo, then the Redo will no longer be available. Note also
that it can store a whole sequence of Undo events for potential
reversal, but only as far back as such events have been uninterrupted
by normal flowsheet editing.
Cut (
)- removes the selected item from its original location and
places it on the clipboard, ready for pasting elsewhere.
Copy (
) - leaves the selected item in its original location and puts a
copy on the clipboard, which is then available for pasting elsewhere.
Paste (
) - this has the normal paste functionality - places the
clipboard contents into the current cursor location.
Delete - this completely removes the selected item.
Select All - this selects all of the items on the current flowsheet.
Default Equipment Properties - this controls the default auto label
settings for any new equipment.
Default Stream Properties - this controls various features of any new
streams added to the flowsheet, including the line width and colour,
the type and size of arrowheads and the auto label positions. You can
also elect to have new streams either always orthogonal or else free
with respect to drawing direction. In addition you can change the
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colour coding if you wish, for the major, minor and missing stream
categories (relevant only for mass balancing).
Default Text Properties - you can set the characteristics of any new
text that is placed on your flowsheet, including all stream and
equipment labels.
Default Drawing Object Properties - here you can change the default
appearance of any further drawing objects added to the flowsheet including line colour, fill colour,
Equipment Auto Label Properties - the dialog box that opens when
you click on this item allows you to control the colour and thickness of
the equipment label outlines, the fill pattern and colour as well as the
font characteristics of the text within the labels. Note that any changes
made here affect all of the existing equipment labels, not just ones that
are added after the setting has been changed.
Stream Auto Label Properties - this provides the same controls over
the appearance of the Stream Auto Labels as was described above for
the Equipment Auto Labels.
Port Properties - here you can (if you wish), change the colour of the
ports. There are two tabs, the first is for the product ports and the
second is for the feed ports. Pattern selection is also possible, but not
really practical in this case since the ports are too small for a pattern to
be visible.
Flowsheet Settings - this menu item allows you to change the
background colour of the flowsheet and the page dimensions and
orientation. It also provides the option to toggle the display of the
icons in the software between JKSimMet5 icons and JKSimMet icons
as well as allowing the user to choose the number of significant
figures displayed in the information blocks. Note that zooming out
will better allow you to appreciate how your flowsheet is structured
relative to the size and shape of the paper you have chosen for
printing. You can also get to this item from the menu that appears
when you right-click on your flowsheet.
Properties (
) - This menu item allows the user to view and alter
the properties of a selected stream or equipment item on the flowsheet.
Here the user can alter the name, label position, line style and fill style
of the selected item.
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5.2.4
143
The View command on the Main JKSimMet Menu controls which of the
available flowsheet features are visible in the session window. Some of the
items on this menu are also available via toolbars, but others are only
available from this menu. The items on this menu are listed and explained
below, in the order that they appear on the menu.
Toolbar - when checked, the main JKSimMet toolbar is visible.
Status Bar - is visible at the bottom of the JKSimMet session window
when checked.
Workspace - this refers to the list of flowsheets contained in your
project, which normally appears as the left-most panel of the session
window. This panel will disappear if the Workspace item is
unchecked. This may be useful if you have a large flowsheet and need
more space to accommodate it.
Grid - this toggles the visible grid on or off. Note that snapping to the
grid is still possible, even when you have switched the grid to "off" so
that it is no longer visible.
Snap to Grid - this determines whether the items on your flowsheet
will snap to the grid when they are moved. This setting provides a
convenient tool for aligning the items on your flowsheet.
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Vertical Rulers - this is a toggle for turning on or off, the vertical ruler
along the side of your flowsheet. Note that it only applies to the
flowsheet that is currently active.
Horizontal Ruler - similarly, this toggles on and off the horizontal
ruler at the top of your flowsheet. Again, it only effects the appearance
of the currently active flowsheet.
Ruler Properties - this brings up a dialog box in which you can select
the colour and width of the rulers plus the colour of the ruler tracking
line that appears within the rulers to indicate the current cursor
position.
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Zoom to Fit (
) - this is a convenient way to get the whole of your
flowsheet to fit neatly into the available window size. Note that there
is a button on the Flowsheet toolbar that also achieves this result.
Zoom to Selection (
) - if you have selected part of your flowsheet
for closer inspection, this command will zoom to the point where the
selected part of the flowsheet just fits into the available window size.
Again note that on the Flowsheet toolbar there is a button for this
function also.
5.2.5
The drop-down menu that is triggered when you click on the Flowsheet item of
the main JKSimMet Menu bar, is shown below.
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This menu allows an alternative route into most of the functionality provided
via the Flowsheet toolbar (see below). There are some differences however.
The Run Model Fitting item on this menu is not on the Flowsheet toolbar, but is
located on the separate Model Fit toolbar.
The Flowsheet
Toolbar
Lock
The Lock button controls access to the various other functions on the Flowsheet
toolbar.
When unlocked, access is available for making changes to the flowsheet's design
and layout, including the addition or subtraction of equipment and streams,
changes to the locations of equipment items and to the routes taken by
connecting streams. In addition all properties associated with the appearance of
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all flowsheet components can be accessed when this button is in the unlocked
position.
When this button is in the locked position, none of the above functionality is
available. Instead, the System Properties, Sieve Series, Survey Data, Configurable
Equipment Manager, Run Simulation, Configurable Stream Overview,
Simulation Manager, Run Balance, Equipment, Stream, Reporting, Config Graph
and Setup Info Blocks buttons now become accessible. In fact the flowsheet must
be locked before any changes can be made to the data. Requiring that the
flowsheet be locked for data entry ensures that items are not accidentally moved
when you are trying to access the data.
Select
The Select button is normally activated by default when you first open a project.
It will be de-activated however when you press the Zoom button (
) and you
will then need to re-activate it before you can select any items on your flowsheet.
When the Select button is active, the cursor will turn back to the normal selection
cursor ( ). This may look different to the illustration here, as it will depend on
the cursor option settings on your computer. With the Select button activated
you can click on any individual equipment item, stream or label on your
flowsheet to select it. This is the case regardless of whether the flowsheet is
locked or unlocked. The locking status just affects what you can do with the
items once they have been selected. Note that you can select multiple items by
holding down the left mouse button and dragging the mouse until the dotted
line encloses all the items you wish to select. Letting go of the left-button will
then select these items. You can also select any number of individual items by
holding down the Control key and clicking the mouse as the cursor moves over
each of them.
Zoom
When you click on the Zoom button, the Select button will be switched off and
the cursor will change to a zoom cursor (
is now active.
When this cursor appears on your flowsheet, you can hold down the left-button
and drag your mouse to outline the area you wish to zoom into. When you let go
of the mouse button, the area you have outlined will be expanded to occupy the
whole of the current flowsheet window.
Also when you have the Zoom button activated, clicking on the left mouse
button will increase the degree of zoom by a set increment and clicking on the
right button will decrease it by the same amount.
To turn off the zoom facility, click again on the Select button (
).
Zoom to
Clicking on the Zoom to Fit button will zoom in or out sufficiently to just
accommodate the whole of your flowsheet. This is usually the best way to zoom
back out again after you have zoomed in to a particular region of the flowsheet.
Zoom to
For the Zoom to Selection button to be available, you first need to have selected
some items on your flowsheet. When you click on this button, the program will
zoom in or out as needed, so as to just include all of your selected items within
the boundary of the visible flowsheet.
Fit
Selection
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Auto Labels
for
Equipment
and Streams
The Equipment Auto Labels and Stream Auto Labels buttons are used to add
labels to the equipment and streams on the flowsheet; the labels become a part of
the equipment and streams and move when the equipment or stream is moved.
To change the default label, double-click on the equipment and type in the new
name, see chapter on Annotating the Flowsheet 187 .
Clicking on the Equipment Auto Labels button or the Stream Auto Labels button
toggles between having the labels for this flowsheet either displayed or not
displayed. Note that these buttons can be operated irrespective of the flowsheet
locking status.
As noted above, in the menu system these two functions are available via the
View menu rather than the Flowsheet menu.
Ports
This button acts as a toggle for switching on and off the display of the ports for
each of the equipment item. Feed ports are represented by blue dots and product
ports by red dots. This facility is normally turned on by default. Note that the
position of this switch does not affect functionality. You can still connect
streams to ports, even when they are not displayed. However for icons with
vertical axis symmetry, such as the one used for flotation cells, you can't easily
tell which side is the feed port until you turn on the ports display. Thus it is
usually better to have ports switched on, especially while the flowsheet is being
constructed.
Redraw
The Redraw button is used to refresh the screen. This is particularly useful after
equipment has been repositioned.
If you have made changes that are not yet appearing on your flowsheet, click on
the re-draw button and the whole flowsheet will be redrawn. It should then
include all of your modifications.
System
Properties
Sieve
Series
Survey
Data
Configurabl
e Equipment
Manager
Run
Simulation
Configurabl
e Stream
Overview
The System Properties button opens the System Properties Window 176 , where
the user can add Elements to the system and alter the miscellaneous properties.
The Sieve Series button opens the Sieve Series Window 175 . It is in this window
that the user can add and remove sieve series, as well as assign them to
individual streams.
The Survey Data button opens the Survey Data window 175 . This allows the user
to input and transfer survey data into the streams, overwriting any existing
experimental data.
The Configurable Equipment Manager button brings the Configurable Equipment
Manager Window 116 into view. This window allows the user to create an
overview to view and if necessary alter the settings for the different models used
in the current flowsheet.
Clicking on the Run Simulation button opens the Run Simulation 164 window,
which allows the user to select the equipment and streams to simulated, set the
simulation settings and run simulations.
The Configurable Stream Overview 213 window is accessed by clicking on this
button. This feature allows the user to create one or more summary tables of
selected stream data after simulation of the flowsheet. The data in the table can
then be printed, copied to the clipboard or exported to MS Excel.
Using JKSimMet
Simulation
Manager
Run
Balance
Equipment
Stream
Reporting
Configurabl
e Graphing
Setup
Info Blocks
5.2.6
149
165
The Reporting button opens the Reporting to Excel 162 dialog. This allows the
user to configure one or more reports by listing which stream and equipment
data are to be exported to an Excel workbook for further analysis and printing.
The Config Graph button opens the Configurable Graphing Window 154 . Here
the user can create one or more graphs to view the data held in the streams and
equipment on the current flowsheet.
The Setup Info Blocks button is used to set up both Equipment and Stream Data
Info Blocks 120 . These are configurable information blocks that can be attached to
selected equipment items and streams. They are used to provide a convenient
flowsheet based readout of the results and the settings of your simulations.
The Balance, Fitting and Simulate toolbar is located in the left side panel, just
above flowsheet list.
Run Balance
The Run Balance button brings the Input/View Mass Balance 259 window
into view. This window allows the user to select the streams, equipment,
elements and sizes to include in the balance and control the scope of the
balancing process.
Run Model
Fitting
The Run Model Fitting button opens the window for model fitting 272 , where
the user can tailor the process models associated with the various equipment
items in their flowsheet, to their individual treatment characteristics based on
the data that has been gathered for this circuit.
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Clicking on the Run Simulation button opens the Run Simulation 164 window,
which allows the user to select the equipment and streams to simulated, set
the simulation settings and run simulations.
Run
Simulation
5.2.7
Drawing Toolbar
The Drawing toolbar contains buttons for all the commands associated with the
preparation of your flowsheet. A screen grab of this toolbar is shown below.
Note that these buttons are all de-activated once the flowsheet has been locked.
The functions of the various buttons on this toolbar, going from left to right, are
described below.
Properties
The Properties button gives you access to the properties dialog box for the
currently selected flowsheet item or items. Properties in this context refers to the
properties of the icon itself, not the properties of the physical equipment that it is
representing. The later properties are associated with modelling of the
equipment and are only available once the flowsheet has been locked.
Line
This button simply allows you to draw a line on your flowsheet. When click on
the button and move the cursor down to the flowsheet, you will see that the
cursor now takes the form of a cross ( ). Click the left mouse button and drag in
any direction to create the line. Let go when it is at the desired length. If you hold
down the Shift key while you are dragging, the line will then snap to the grid
and will be either horizontal or vertical, depending on which direction you are
moving your mouse.
Rectangle
When you click on this button, you will again note that the cursor takes the form
of a cross once the mouse is positioned over the flowsheet. Click the left button
and drag in the direction of the diagonal of the proposed new rectangle. The
proposed rectangle will be outlined by a dashed line while you continue to hold
down the mouse button. Once you let go of the button, the new rectangle will be
placed on the flowsheet and its perimeter will change to a solid line.
Text
Clicking on this button followed by clicking on the active flowsheet will add a
resizable, editable text box to the flowsheet.
Image
When you click on this button you will be presented with a file open type dialog
box, where you will be able to select the directory where your images are stored.
Click on the image file you require and then on the Open button.
If the image you have imported initially occupies the whole of the flowsheet
panel, use the zoom buttons to zoom out. This will allow you to see the handles
around the perimeter of your image and by using these you can re-size the image
to whatever is required.
Rotate
After clicking on the Rotate button, you will see that the cursor changes once
you are hovering over the selected item, to a circular arrow symbol, similar to the
image on the button itself. If you then click and drag, the item of equipment will
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The Rotate Left button rotates the selected item anti-clockwise by 90 degrees. The
Rotate Right button also rotates by 90 degrees, this time in the clockwise
direction. For the Rotate Left and Right commands, the rotation is occurring
about a line that is perpendicular to the plane of the computer screen.
The Flip Vertical and Flip Horizontal buttons effectively rotate the object
concerned through 180 degrees, through a plane that is at right angles to the
screen. The rotation occurs about a line that passes through the centre of the
object and lies flat on the computer screen.
These buttons can be used to align either the tops or the bottoms of a group of
objects that you have selected. First select the set of objects required, either by
using the Control key and clicking on the separate objects or else by dragging
the mouse to encompass the objects with the left button held down. Then click
on whichever of the buttons is appropriate for your purposes. Note that the
alignment will be to the top (or bottom) of the last selected item. You can see
which item was last selected as it will have grey rather than open selection
indicator squares around its perimeter.
Align Middle
& Centre
To align either the horizontal or vertical centre lines of a number of objects, you
again need to first select the set of objects for alignment (see above). Then just
click on the appropriate button for middle or centre alignment, as required (see
left). Again, the alignment will be to the centre line of the last selected item.
Left and right alignment of objects is achieved by again selecting the set of
objects before clicking on whichever is required of the two buttons shown at
left.Again, the last selected object will be the one that determines the alignment
position.
Space Across
& Down
These buttons allow you to evenly space objects that you have placed on your
flowsheet. Pressing the Space Across button distributes the selected objects so
that the entire spacing between the far left object and the far right object is
divided evenly between entire row of selected objects. Note that the objects do
not necessarily have to be first lined up in the vertical direction for this
horizontal spacing function to work.
Similarly, pressing the Space Down button divides the entire vertical spacing
between your highest and lowest object so that all the selected objects will then
have equal vertical spacing between them.
Same Width,
Height or Size
Using these buttons the user can make a set of objects on a flowsheet all have the
same width, height or both. Note that the last selected object (indicated by the
grey selection handles), will be the one to which the other selected objects are
matched. Use the Same Size button when you wish to make sure that the
dimensions stay in the same ratio as they exist in your last selected object.
Nudge Up,
Down, Left
and Right
There are four Nudge buttons that allow you to make small adjustments (up,
down, right and left) to the positioning of objects on your flowsheet. First select
the object to be moved and then click on the appropriate Nudge button. These
functions are mainly useful for adjusting the positioning of equipment units
when the attached streams have gone slightly out of horizontal or vertical. You
can use it to make the small adjustments needed to return the streams to an
orthogonal arrangement.
The Front and Back buttons can be used if you have overlapping items on your
flowsheet. Pressing one of these buttons will determine which of the
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overlapping items appears to be at the front and is therefore fully visible and
which appears to be at the back and therefore partially obscured. When a Front
or Back button is pressed, the item currently selected responds by moving to the
front or back as appropriate. Note that if you have several overlapping items
selected and you press Front, then the item last selected will move to the front
and the overlap order for the other items will also mirror the selection order.
This means that for instance, the second last item selected will be just under the
last item selected, but will be over all of the other items.
5.2.8
The Tools menu on the Main JKSimMet Menu allows the user to customise
which tools and menus are displayed in the session window. Click on
Customize then there are two tabs, Toolbars and Command.
In the Toolbars tab the user can choose which toolbars appear at the top of the
JKSimMet screen. The 'look' of the toolbars can also be adjusted using the
Show Tooltips and Cool Look options. Users can also add and name new
toolbars by clicking on the New button. Once created, the new toolbar can be
populated with buttons by either moving existing buttons from other toolbars
or by moving copies of the existing buttons from the Command tab of the
dialog box into the new toolbar..
The Command tab shows all of the buttons that make up each of the existing
toolbars and the menu. Selecting one of the buttons will provide a description
of the functionality it offers in the description box at the bottom of the
window, as shown below.
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153
To customize an existing toolbar users can drag any button of their choice
from this tab onto the toolbar. While this dialog box is open users can also
remove or reposition buttons on existing toolbars, allowing a large degree of
customization.
5.2.9
The Help menu on the Main JKSimMet Menu allows the user to access the
help files, and provides software version information:
Help (
File.
) - (or pressing F1) takes the user to the contents page of the Help
About - gives details of the JKSimMet version number, the version numbers of
the databases and copyright information.
5.3
JKSimMet Windows
Version 6.4 of JKSimMet makes full use of the Windows interface to allow
users to view whichever data they choose on the screen at any one time by
simply opening the required windows. This section describes briefly each of
the main window types in JKSimMet.
5.3.1
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selected data for a currently selected model in the flowsheet. The user can
configure one or many tables for display in this window.
The Configurable Equipment Manager window can be opened by two methods:
1.
2.
Opening the
Configurable
Equipment
Manager
The Configurable Equipment Manager feature can only be accessed when the
flowsheet is locked.
The Configurable Equipment Manager provides a data summary for a selected
model in the flowsheet after simulation has occurred. The information
displayed in the Configurable Equipment Manager window is exactly the same
as the information displayed in the individual Model Data windows. The
advantage of the Configurable Equipment Manager is that all of the data for the
equipment items that use this model can be viewed together, rather than having
to view each equipment item in a separate window.
The summary table can be printed directly from this window, copied to the
clipboard for pasting into other programs such as Word or exported to Excel for
further analysis or graphing.
5.3.2
Note that the Graphing feature can only be accessed when the flowsheet is
JKSimMet Windows
Using JKSimMet
155
locked.
Create a New
Graph
To create a new graph click on the 'New' button, in the dialog that opens, the
user is required to give a name to the graph (or accept the default) and to
choose whether the graph will display stream or equipment data.
The user must then choose a format for the sizing data:
They then must choose which type of data the report is going to display:
They are then required to select the streams or equipment that they wish to
view:
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Viewing the
Graph
The Graph tab displays the data that you have selected in the stream tab. To
alter the settings of the graph, select the Format button (highlighted).
Formatting the
Graph
The format window allows you to set the name for each axis, the range that
each axis covers and how the data is plotted and shown to the user.
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Using JKSimMet
5.3.3
157
2.
The Configurable Stream Overview feature can only be accessed when the
flowsheet is locked.
Configurable Stream Overview provides a data summary for selected streams in
the flowsheet after simulation has occurred. The information displayed in the
Configurable Stream Overview window is exactly the same as the information
displayed in the individual Stream Data windows.
The summary table can be printed directly from this window, copied to the
clipboard for pasting into other programs such as Word or exported to Excel for
further analysis or graphing. The Configurable Stream Overview window is
discussed in more detail under the heading Using the Configurable Stream
Overview 213 .
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158
5.3.4
JKSimMet V6 Manual
Information Blocks
Information
Blocks
Information blocks allow the user to display information about the performance
and characteristics of both streams and equipment on the flowsheet.
The Information Blocks window can be opened by two methods:
1.
2.
Note that the Info Blocks feature can only be accessed when the flowsheet is
locked.
Experimental or simulated data may be displayed, and the Info Blocks feature
allows the information to be displayed for as many streams or equipment units
as the user wishes. Information Blocks 158 are discussed in more detail within
the section Building and Manipulating a Flowsheet 189 .
JKSimMet Windows
Using JKSimMet
Information
Blocks Display
159
Once added to the flowsheet, the information blocks can be moved around and
re-sized as the user requires.
-
5.3.5
Model Windows
The Model window collects data required for the selected model calculation
and displays the equipment parameters calculated during simulation. The
Model window is accessed by clicking on the double arrow button next to the
selected model in the Equipment window. While the contents of the model
window vary depending on the models chosen, the general layout of the
model windows is common to all models; see below.
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Whilst all model options for particular equipment are accessible from the
Equipment Model drop-down list, JKSimMet can only use a model in
simulation if its prerequisite stream properties have been added via the
System Properties 176 table. An error message will be displayed during
simulation if a model has been selected for which the required stream
properties have not been chosen.
The data associated with a particular model are displayed on a series of tabs.
Most tabs have an associated drop-down list for the model option selection.
The model window consists of:
1.
2.
A series of tabs used to display or allow data entry for the chosen
model.
The data layouts for all of the model types, including details of prerequisite
stream property requirements, are detailed in the Model Descriptions 294
section. The Model windows 193 are also discussed in more detail within the
chapter on Editing the Flowsheet Data.
5.3.6
Property Windows
The properties of the flowsheets, equipment, streams and labels can be
accessed in the Flowsheet, Equipment, Stream Properties and Label Properties
windows, respectively.
Flowsheet
Properties
Window
JKSimMet Windows
Right click on the flowsheet name and select Properties to open the Flowsheet
Properties window. This window allows the user to change the flowsheet
name, add any comments about the flowsheet and view the last modified date.
Note that there is a 50 character limit for the flowsheet name and comments
sections.
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161
Equipment
Properties
Window
To open the Equipment Properties window unlock the flowsheet and doubleclick on the equipment item to be examined. Alternatively, you can right-click
on the equipment item and select properties from the right-click menu. The
Equipment Properties window allows the user to change the equipment name
and orientation as well as various aspects of the equipment item's physical
appearance on the flowsheet.
Stream
Properties
Window
To access the Stream Properties window for a stream, unlock the flowsheet
and double-click on the stream you wish to examine or again use the rightclick menu. This will open the Stream Properties window in which the user
can change the name of the stream as well as various other characteristics
affecting the streams physical appearance. Note that it is recommended
streams be given meaningful names, such as Rougher Feed, Rougher Conc,
Rougher Tail, as this will enable them to be more easily recognized later,
when the simulation results are reviewed.
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162
5.3.7
JKSimMet V6 Manual
2.
Note that the Reporting to Excel feature can only be accessed when the
flowsheet is locked.
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Using JKSimMet
163
The stream data and equipment data are exported together. Multiple report
formats can be created. The Reporting feature is discussed in more detail
under the heading Using the Reporting Feature 226 .
5.3.8
2.
Note that the Simulation Manager can only be accessed when the flowsheet is
locked.
Selected results of the simulations are displayed on the stream and equipment
data tabs (labelled Results - Streams and Results - Equip), once the batch of
simulations has completed. This allows the user to readily compare simulated
results under the different operating conditions.
The simulation operating data summary and the results of the simulations
displayed on stream and equipment tabs in the window can be printed directly
from the Simulation Manager window or copied to the clipboard for pasting into
other programs such as Word or Excel. The Simulation Manager window is
discussed in more detail under the heading Simulating Using the Simulation
Manager 201 .
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Simulation Window
Simulation
Window
2.
).
Note that the flowsheet must be locked before the user can select the Run
Simulation button.
The Simulation window provides the selection and configuration options for
running a simulation. Here the user may choose which simulation to run or to
create a new simulation using a different selection of equipment and streams.
The user can also configure the required convergence, the number of iterations,
the interpolation used and the starting condition of the simulation.
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165
The Streams window provides access to the Stream Data window to view the data
for each stream.
Stream
Button
The Streams window for each stream can be opened by three methods:
1.
Double-clicking on a stream.
2.
3.
All of the streams in the current flowsheet may be accessed from the Streams
window via the Stream Name drop-down list. The Streams window can only be
accessed when the flowsheet is locked.
The Stream Data window is accessed by clicking on the double arrow button next
to the selected stream. Once the Stream Data window is open the user can view the
stream data in a variety of ways, as required since there is considerable scope for
customising the way these data are viewed. Note that in the column displaying
simulated data, the fields will not contain values until simulation has been
completed.
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Totals Tab
The data associated with a particular stream are displayed on a series of tabs. The
tabs visible in the Stream Data window are always present. The Totals tab lists the
overall properties of the stream.
The default window shows various data types - simulated, experimental, SD, mass
balanced, error and fitted. The data types that are shown in these windows can be
controlled by the user. If you click on the Data Type View button, a dialog box will
appear where you can exercise a choice about the data types you wish to see.
Click on any of the data type headings and you will be presented with a dropdown list containing the six available data types plus the option of selecting
"none". If you chose "none", the column concerned will be eliminated from the
Stream Data window display. If you try to select any given data type twice, you
will get an error message. If you are carrying out simulations only for instance, you
would probably want to see the Sim, Exp and Error data types and eliminate the
other three.
SD
Calculation
JKSimMet Windows
To the right of the Data View Type button is a button labeled "SD Calculation".
This button brings up the Automatic SD Calculation window. Note that this is only
relevant when you are carrying out mass balancing or model fitting. It is not
required for simulations.
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Having selected the streams and the properties, you then go to the SD Calculation
Option drop-down where you can now select the method of determining the SD's
for this group of streams/properties.
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If you select Poor, Average, Good or Excellent, the program will use a fixed
percentage of the stream. Note that you can change the percentage however, that
applies to each of these selections, if required. The other possible selections include
"Fixed" where you can again change the value to whatever you deem to be
appropriate. But in this case keep in mind that you are selecting the actual value of
the SD rather than a percentage of the stream value. There are several other
methods that can be applied for SD calculation.
Whiten SD
If you select All Sizes from the Property drop-down, then there will be an extra SD
calculation option available at the top of the list. The extra option is "Whiten" which is an SD calculation method that only applies to sizing data. This option is
not visible in the screen grab above because the image was generated after
selecting TPH or All from the Property drop-down. Note that Whiten is the most
commonly used SD calculation method for sizing data. To apply this to your sizing
data but still apply some other chosen method to all of your other data, you could
first select All and apply the appropriate "other method". After this you can select
All Sizes and apply Whiten, which would then leave the other method still in force
for all of the non-sizing data.
Sizing Data
The other available tab contains the stream sizing data. These data will be
displayed in the format that has been selected via the buttons on the main toolbar.
The sizing data can be expressed as either % Retained (
), Cum % Retained (
) or Cum % Passing (
) . Note that this selection can be changed at any time,
even when this stream data window is open.
JKSimMet Windows
Using JKSimMet
Selecting
the Type of
Error
Calculation
169
In the case of the error column you can change the form of the error that is
displayed and the currently selected form will be shown in the column header.
This is done by clicking on the Error Sum button, which is the button second from
the right on the Stream data toolbar.
These new calculations are for display purposes only. The weighted error is used
in all Mass Balance and Model Fit calculations.
After pressing this button, the Error dialog box will appear where you can specify
both the types of data that are to be compared for determining error values and the
method by which these errors are calculated. For instance in the settings shown in
the screen grab below, the errors will be obtained by comparing the experimental
and balanced data and the method of calculation will just be a straight percentage
error calculation.
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Also in this screen grab, you will notice there is a frame labelled Error Sum below
the drop-down selection boxes. Here there are radio buttons where you can select
the errors that are to contribute to the calculation of the error sum figure that is
displayed in a field (shown circled below), at the top of the Stream data window.
Note that it is only when you select Exp v Bal data for comparison that all three
options are available for the error sum calculation. Because JKSimMet does not
contain models that predict element distributions, the last two options cannot be
selected where either Fit or Sim data are one of the data types to be compared.
These options will be greyed-out in all but the Exp v Bal data case.
Error
Calculation
Methods
and
Summing of
Errors
The types of error calculation available for selection are Weighted, Percent and
Absolute. Weighted errors take account of the reliability assigned to the various
data points by dividing the difference by the SD value. Larger SD values mean that
the differences will contribute less to the total error calculation. The other two
methods take no account of the assigned SD values.
The calculation methods are:
Weighted errors are calculated as [(Exp - Bal)/SD]2
Percent errors are calculated as Abs[(Exp - Bal)/Exp] * 100
Absolute errors are calculated as just (Exp - Bal)
In the case of the first two error calculation methods, the individual errors are
always going to be positive values. Thus to obtain the error sum in these two cases,
the individual values are simply totalled.
For the Absolute error values though, there will be negative values displayed for
some data points and positive ones for others. To make these values all contribute
to the total error and do not tend to cancel each other out, in this case it has to be
the modulus of each value that gets incorporated into the Error Sum calculation.
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171
Accessing
the
Configurabl
e Graphing
Window
The Configurable Graphing window is also available via a button on this toolbar as
shown below.
Changing
the Column
Layout
You can change the column layout of the Stream data window if required. This is
achieved by clicking on the Data Type View (Dv) button - circled in the following
screen grab.
The Change Data Type View window will then open. The image below shows this
window with the user selecting None from the data type options for the last
column. This action will remove the last column once the user has returned to the
Data Type window. Note that selecting None does not delete any existing data; it
merely tidies up the display.
The Streams window also lists the equipment from which the stream originates
and the equipment to which the stream flows. Clicking on the double arrow button
next to the From Equipment and To Equipment display panels opens the Equipment
window relating to that equipment. The Equipment window 171 is discussed
above. The Stream Data windows 210 are discussed in more detail within the Using
Simulation chapter.
Copy Grid
The copy grid button allows the user to copy the data from the active grid to the
clipboard, from where it can be pasted into other applications as required.
2.
3.
All of the equipment units in the current flowsheet may be accessed from the
Equipment window via the Equipment Name drop-down list. The Equipment
window can only be accessed when the flowsheet is locked.
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The equipment models available for the selected equipment unit are accessed via
the Equipment Model drop-down list. The Model window is accessed by clicking
on the double arrow button next to the selected model. The Model window is
discussed in more detail in the next topic.
The Equipment window also lists the feed and product streams of the selected
equipment. Clicking on the double arrow button next to the names of the streams
that are feeds or products from the selected equipment opens the Streams
window. The Streams window is discussed below. The Equipment and Model
193 windows are discussed in more detail in the chapter on Editing the
Flowsheet Data.
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173
The user can create a new project or load an existing (i.e. previously saved)
project.
Create a New
Project
To create a new project click on the New Project icon on the toolbar. In the dialog
that opens, the user is prompted to name the new project and specify its path.
This loads a blank project containing a single flowsheet, automatically given the
default name of "FlowSheet1".
Now that a flowsheet exists, the equipment list is displayed between the
flowsheet list and the flowsheet display pane on the right. The procedure for
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Alternatively, the user can select a previously saved project from the list of
existing projects by clicking on the Open Project icon. This displays an Open
dialog which allows the user to select the project to be opened.
The title bar in the session window displays the open project and flowsheet in
the form JKSimMet - [Project Name Flowsheet Name]. Note that the equipment
list is not available until a project has been opened or created and therefore at
least one flowsheet is present.
Resizing the
Session
Window and
the Internal
Panels
Note that the session window can be resized by moving the cursor to any edge of
the window. When it is positioned over the border line, the cursor will change
from the normal arrowhead to a thin line with an arrowhead at each end. While
the cursor is in this state, left click and drag with the mouse to change the
window size to whatever you require and release the mouse button when
finished. Note that you can drag the top, bottom, sides and the corners using this
method. When you drag a corner, both the height and width of the window can
be changed simultaneously.
The three main panels within the session window can also be resized in a
similar manner. You will see the mouse cursor turn into the double headed
arrow form as you move it over one of the vertical panel dividing lines. By
shifting the panel dividers, you can control how the overall window width is
partitioned between the three panels.
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175
2.
The Sieve Series feature can only be accessed when the flowsheet is locked.
The Sieve Series window provides a visual display of the different sieve series
available in the current flowsheet and the sieve series that each stream in the
flowsheet uses.
The Sieve Series window is discussed in more detail under the heading
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2.
The Survey Data window can only be accessed when the flowsheet is locked.
The Edit Sieve Series button is used to bring up the Sieve Series
175
window.
The Transfer button is used to transfer the survey data into all of the streams,
replacing the experimental data. If the user has selected a sieve series that is not
the master series, the data will be transferred using the selected interpolation
method.
2.
The System Properties window can only be accessed when the flowsheet is
locked.
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177
A drop-down list in the System Properties window shows the list of properties
that can be defined for use by JKSimMet. The System Properties 192 function is
discussed in more detail within the chapter on Editing the Flowsheet Data.
5.4
5.4.1
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5.4.2
To create a new project select New Project from the File menu or click on the New
Project icon on the main toolbar. A dialog box will request a name for the new
project. This name will be used as the file name and as the project name.
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179
name you give it. You can delete the original project if required - but remember that
you will need to delete both the .jksf6 file and the .jksysdb file. To clean up
completely, you will also have to delete the associated AutoSave files, which will
have been created while you have worked on this file under its original name.
There should be two of these; one for the .jksf6 file and one for the .jksysdb file.
When a new project is created, it will initially be blank and will be loaded with a
single blank flowsheet, which will be given the default name of FlowSheet1. More
flowsheets can be added to the project as required, see the Creating a New
Flowsheet 180 section for further details.
5.4.3
The list of existing flowsheets for the open project will be displayed in the left
hand section of the session window. Double click to open the desired flowsheet.
The flowsheet can also be opened by right clicking on the flowsheet name and
selecting Open. The name of the current flowsheet open in the project appears in
the title bar at the top of the JKSimMet session window, in the format JKSimMet
[Project Name Flowsheet Name].
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5.4.4
To create a new flowsheet right click in the left hand section of the session
window and select Add New from the menu that appears. Any number of
flowsheets can be added in this manner. Double click on the name of a
flowsheet to make it the active flowsheet.
Clone copies the flowsheet exactly. This option is particularly useful to run a
series of simulations while keeping the same flowsheet as a basis instead of redrawing and entering the data many times over. To clone a flowsheet, rightclick on the flowsheet and select "Clone" from the drop-down menu.
Using JKSimMet
Deleting a
Flowsheet
5.4.5
181
If you need to delete a flowsheet that you have added by cloning or otherwise,
you can do this by once again right-clicking on this flowsheet in the left hand
panel listing and selecting "Delete" from the drop-down menu. Note that you
will not be able to delete the flowsheet if it is open in the right hand pane. If you
get a message that the flowsheet can't be deleted for this reason, just doubleclick on another of your flowsheets before right-clicking again on the one you
are trying to remove. The delete function from the drop-down menu should now
work.
To change the name of the flowsheet the user must highlight the text in the
Flowsheet Name box, type in the new name (maximum 50 characters) and
press OK to register the name. The new flowsheet name will appear in the left
hand side of the session window.
The user can also edit the Comments text for the flowsheet, however note that
there is a 50 character limit for this text.
5.4.6
Deleting a Flowsheet
Right clicking on the flowsheet name in the left hand side of the session
window opens a pop-up menu.
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5.4.7
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183
The default equipment has typical values for the equipment dimensions,
model parameters etc. as its default data. The user can edit these data at any
time.
Circuit Feed
JKSimMet uses the Feed equipment unit to introduce the feed flow to the
circuit. This means that the parameters of the feed stream are actually defined
in the Feed equipment rather than in a Feed stream. A flowsheet therefore
must contain at least one Feed equipment unit.
Adding
Equipment to the
Flowsheet
1.
2.
3.
Move the cursor to where the unit is to be drawn on the flowsheet and
click to place the unit. To place multiple units of the same equipment
type, hold down the control key while selecting the equipment type
from the equipment list, then repeatedly click in the flowsheet to place
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5.4.8
Editing
Equipment on
the Flowsheet
To edit equipment once it has been placed on the flowsheet, double click on
the item of equipment in the flowsheet. The flowsheet must remain in
unlocked mode to access the editing features. The equipment can then be
moved and have its name and orientation changed, as described below.
Moving
Equipment
Naming
Equipment
Displaying
Equipment
Name
The Equipment Auto Labels icon can be used to display the equipment name
on the flowsheet. When the Equipment Auto Labels icon is selected an
equipment label will automatically appear when equipment is added to the
flowsheet. The equipment label takes the Equipment Name from the
Component Properties window, as described above. The Equipment Auto
Labels function is discussed in more detail in the chapter on Annotating the
Flowsheet 187 .
Orientation
The orientation of the equipment can be changed so that the feed end of the
equipment changes from left to right or vice-versa. The default orientation is
the feed on the left and the products on the right. Select one of the Flip or
Rotate buttons on the toolbar to change the equipment orientation.
Deleting
Equipment
Using JKSimMet
185
2.
To connect a product outlet to a feed inlet, place the cursor over the
product outlet or feed inlet of an equipment item. When the cursor
changes to a circle containing a cross, left click to start the connection
process. The cursor will then change to a cross and when you now
move the mouse, it will drag a line representing the stream to
wherever you select as the destination.
3.
When you have positioned the cursor over the inlet or outlet (as
appropriate) of the destination equipment item, the cursor will again
turn into a circle containing a cross. Note that this will only happen
where a connection is possible. If you have started at an inlet port and
you move to another inlet port, the cursor will not change because in
this case the connection is not possible. When the cursor has changed
to indicate the potential for connection, left-clicking again will
complete the stream.
Streams can be connected in straight lines in this manner, or they can be made
to follow more complex paths. The above procedure will produce a connection
that is just a straight line stream from one item of equipment to another. While
a straight line stream may be acceptable in a very simple circuit, more often
than not you will require points of inflexion so that your streams take a less
direct route to their destination. You can achieve this during the connection
process if you left click at the various intermediate points where you require
the stream to change direction. Again, you just terminate the stream when the
cursor turns to a cross within a circle over the destination port.
To produce the stream connection below for instance, left-click over the outlet
from the feeder, move the cursor downwards to the desired position for the
right angled bend and click again. Finally, move the cursor to the right and
click on the flotation cell inlet to complete the stream.
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To edit the formatting of a stream once it has been placed on the flowsheet
double click on the stream. The flowsheet must be in unlocked mode to access
the editing features. This will open the Common Properties window for the
chosen stream.
Naming Streams
The streams are given default names when they are initially added to the
flowsheet. To change the name, open the Component Properties window by
double-clicking on a stream. Type in the new name into the Name text box and
click OK. It is recommended that the streams be given meaningful names such
as Cyclone O/F, Ball Mill Feed etc, so that they can be easily identified.
Displaying
Stream Name
Labels can be added to the flowsheet to display the stream names using the
Stream Auto Labels icon. Labels are discussed in more detail under the
heading Annotating the Flowsheet 187 .
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187
Click on the Add/Remove Stream Node menu item. This will insert a new
stream node at the cursor location. You can then move the cursor over this
new node, then left-click and drag it to the location required for re-routing this
stream.
You can remove a stream node in a similar manner. For this you need to bring
up the right-click menu while the mouse is hovering over the stream node in
question. Selecting the same menu item will in this case delete the stream
node.
Deleting a
Stream
Whole streams can be deleted in the same manner as equipment items. Ensure
the flowsheet is unlocked, then click on the stream to be deleted. Then you can
either press the Delete key or select Delete from the Edit pull-down menu.
Before the stream is actually deleted you will get a warning and an
opportunity to cancel, so as to guard against accidental deletion.
Once all of the equipment and streams have been added to the flowsheet and
the editing of names is complete, lock the flowsheet by clicking on the blue
Lock icon, by selecting Lock from the Flowsheet menu or by selecting Lock
from the right click menu in the session window.
5.4.9
Adding General
Text Labels to
the Flowsheet
1.
General Text Labels used to add general text (e.g. circuit name) to
the flowsheet; the labels can be moved independently around the
flowsheet.
2.
3.
Stream Labels used to add labels of the existing stream names to the
flowsheet; the labels are of the same form as the Equipment Labels.
2.
Select the Text icon from the toolbar. A text icon now appears next to
the cursor when it is placed over the flowsheet.
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3.
Move the cursor to the desired location and click to place the label.
4.
Double click the label and type in the desired text. Press Enter when
finished.
Editing Labels on
the Flowsheet
To edit a label once it has been placed on the flowsheet click on the label. The
flowsheet must remain in unlocked mode to access the editing features. A
label can then be moved and be edited, as described below.
Moving Labels
Text labels can be moved in the same manner as equipment. Simply place the
cursor over the label and hold the left mouse button down while dragging the
label to its new position. When the label is in the required position release the
mouse button to place the label.
Changing the
Text of a Label
To change the text of the label, double-click on the label and type in the new
text. Press Enter to complete.
Deleting Labels
Labels can be deleted in the same manner as equipment and streams. Ensure
the flowsheet is unlocked then click on the label to be deleted. Either press the
Delete key or select Delete from the Edit pull-down menu.
Adding
Equipment
Labels to the
Flowsheet
Editing
Equipment
Labels
Unlike the general labels, the labels added to equipment on the flowsheet
using the Equipment Auto Labels function cannot be independently renamed.
These equipment labels become a part of the equipment; they move when the
equipment is moved, are renamed when the equipment name is changed
(using Equipment Properties, see topic Property Windows 160 ) and are deleted
when the equipment is deleted. The position of the label in relation to the
equipment can be changed, however. To do this, double click on the label or
the equipment to bring up the Component Properties window. Select the Auto
Label tab and select an option for the positioning of the label relative to the
equipment. Note that clicking the On/Off option in this tab will mean that
the label for this particular item of equipment will not be displayed on the
flowsheet.
Stream Labels may also be edited using the same procedure as Equipment
Labels.
Adding Stream
Labels to the
Flowsheet
IMPORTANT
NOTE
2.
Note that if the stream names are changed subsequent to adding stream labels
to the flowsheet, the stream label text automatically changes, however the
stream label box does not automatically resize to match the size of the new
stream name. To fix this, click the Stream Auto Labels button to remove the
labels, then click on the Stream Auto Labels again to add the labels again.
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189
Stream
Information
Blocks
The same data is displayed for all active Stream Information Blocks. You cannot
tailor the blocks for individual streams so that they are different from those of
other streams.
The procedure for adding Stream Information Blocks is as follows:
1.
2.
3.
Select the basis stream for recovery calculations. Note that his selection
is only needed if a recovery value is to be one of the display fields and
this will only be a possibility in cases where mass balancing is being
performed.
4.
Next left click on each parameter cell in turn to select the data that you
wish to have displayed in that cell. Each time you do this, another
window labelled Selection Options will open. Here you specify the type
of data to be displayed in more detail. A screen grab of this window is
shown below.
5.
In this window you work your way down (starting with the drop-down
at top left in Selection Options), to make a full specification of the data
type that is to be displayed in the selected cell. Note that lower dropdowns will become available when needed, depending on your
selections in the drop-downs above. The name that will appear in the
stream information block key for this data cell is auto generated by
default. You will notice that there is a tick in the Auto Generate Name
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box when the window opens. If the system generated name is too long
however, you can manually enter an abbreviated form, after clicking to
remove the tick from this check-box.
6.
Select the stream or streams for the info block multiple selection can be
achieved using the Ctrl and Shift keys.
7.
The Info Blocks will be added to the flowsheet, roughly centred on each stream.
In addition there will be a key displayed at the top left of the flowsheet that will
show which parameters are displayed in which cells of the Info Block.
To modify the information displayed in the Stream Information Blocks, make the
changes required and click Update Selected Info Blocks.
Remember that the same data is displayed for all streams, so clicking Add Info
Block after changes have been made in the Stream Info box tab will result in all
of the Stream Info Boxes updating.
Equipment
Information
Blocks
Select the equipment unit or units for the info block multiple selection
is achieved with the Ctrl and Shift keys.
2.
3.
4.
The info blocks will be added to the flowsheet, adjacent to each unit. The
parameter names will be displayed in the cell next to the values.
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191
When the flowsheet is unlocked, the Info Blocks may be moved, resized and
deleted using the Delete key.
The data that is not able to be edited will be greyed out. Other values can be
edited, and will update throughout the system.
5.5
Once the flowsheet has been built complete with equipment and connected by
streams to form a circuit, the next step is to input the data itself. The flowsheet
must first be locked by clicking on the Lock button, by selecting Lock from the
Flowsheet menu or by selecting lock from the right click menu in the session
window. Once locked the System Properties, Sieve Series, Survey Data,
Configurable Equipment Manager, Run Simulation, Configurable Stream
Overview, Simulation Manager, Run Balance, Equipment, Stream, Reporting,
Config Graph and Setup Info Blocks icons are all accessible. These tools will
be described in subsequent sections.
Data Entry
Conventions
There are three different background colours used to represent the different
types of data in the JKSimMet windows:
1.
2.
Light grey this data does not change (e.g. some labels).
3.
Medium grey user entry is not required but the data will change
depending on a user selection or calculation during simulation (eg a
calculated value such as pulp volume of each cell).
5.5.1
Stream Structure
After input of the feed stream data and equipment and model data, JKSimMet
predicts the sizing and mass flow data in the streams throughout the circuit
using an iterative technique.
Comminution models are used within each of the specified comminution
equipment units to determine the resulting size data for the relevant output
streams. A detailed explanation of the terms used to define the stream
structure has been provided under the heading Definition of Terms Used in
JKSimMet 135 .
Remember that the feed stream data are defined in the Feed equipment item
rather than in the stream from this unit.
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5.5.2
JKSimMet V6 Manual
System Properties
System
Properties
Click on the System Properties icon or select System Properties from the
Flowsheet sub menu to open the System Properties window.
There are two system property classes available to the user; Elements and
Miscellaneous items. The user has the option of defining as many or as few
elements as required, but cannot define additional miscellaneous items.
The two classes of system properties are accessed via a drop-down list at the
top of the System Properties window, under the heading Select property.
System properties must be defined for each flowsheet; they cannot be copied
between flowsheets or between projects.
Miscellaneous
The first item on the drop down list is Miscellaneous and this will be chosen
initially by default. There are just two miscellaneous items in the system for
which you need to set values; Solids SG and Liquid SG. The default values are
2.7 and 1.0 (t/m3 ) respectively. You can simply edit these values in the white
cells to adjust them if required.
Elements
The other item on the Select property drop down is Elements. In JKSimMet
elements are only needed for the mass balancing function of the program. If
you are not going to be doing any mass balancing, then it is not necessary to
enter any elements into the system for the flowsheet in question.
If you do need to specify elements, firstly select Elements from the drop-down.
Once you do this you will see the appearance of the window change to
resemble the screen capture below, which in this case also shows the
expanded drop-down.
Adding Elements
The main difference you will notice after Elements has been selected, is that a
Delete selected row(s) button will be present at bottom left. This is to provide
the option of removing elements already in your list if you have changed your
mind or made an error.
The table is configured such that it will always contain a blank row at the
bottom where you can add further elements. When you enter an element you
can either leave the units in the adjacent Units cell with the default setting of
"%" or else select "g/t" (if appropriate) from the drop-down in this cell. To
remove an element that is not required, click anywhere in the row you wish to
remove and use the Delete selected row(s) button.
There is no limit to the number of elements that can be added.
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193
The width of the columns can be changed by placing the cursor on the right
border of the column in the heading row, then holding down the left mouse
button and dragging the cursor.
IMPORTANT
NOTE
5.5.3
Equipment
Window Layout
The data for the equipment can be viewed in the Equipment window. The
Equipment window can be opened by:
1.
2.
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5.5.4
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The Equipment Model drop-down list in the Equipment window shows the
models available for the selected equipment. All models for a particular type
of equipment are available for selection.
Accessing the
Model Window
Select a model and click on the double arrow button next to the selected
equipment model to open the Model window.
Model Window
Layout
The Model window for all the models has the same general layout, see below.
Click on the tabs at the top of the Model window to input and view the model
data. The data layouts for all of the model types are detailed in the Model
Descriptions 294 section. Note that some of the calculated model data will
update on input and some will update only after simulation.
Copy Grid
The Copy Grid button allows the user to copy the currently displayed grid to
the clipboard, from where it can be pasted into other applications.
Units in Parallel
The units in parallel text box is used to show how many of the selected unit in
question exist at this location in the circuit.
If a value is entered for a parameter that is outside the normal range for the
parameter, JKSimMet will display a warning message. Users are given the
choice of either having the value entered clipped to the nearest edge of the
normal parameter range (eg, for a range of 1 to 15, an entered value of 20
would be clipped to 15) or continuing with the entered value.
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If the user needs to know the maximum and minimum values for a parameter
value, double clicking on the cell for that item will launch the Parameter
Detail window. This displays the minimum and maximum values, as well as
the default value and other available information about the selected
parameter.
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2.
The Configurable Equipment Manager can only be accessed when the flowsheet
is locked.
Configurable Equipment Manager provides a summary of the equipment unit
data for selected units in the flowsheet. The information displayed in the
Equipment Overview screens is exactly the same as the information displayed
in the model screens for the individual equipment units.
The summary table can be printed directly from the dialog, copied to the
clipboard for pasting into other programs such as Word or exported to Excel
for further analysis.
2.
3.
4.
Data table
Current
Overview List
The user can create one or more Configurable Equipment Manager tables. Each
table created is listed by name in the Current Overview List drop-down,
allowing the user to change from one table to another by selecting the required
configuration from the list.
Configurable
Equipment
Manager
Toolbar
The toolbar allows the user to create new configurations, delete unwanted
configurations, add or delete data columns, print, copy or export the data to
Excel.
New Unit
Overview
To create a new configuration the user clicks on the New Unit Overview
button. This opens the Add Unit Overview dialog which prompts the user to
enter a name for the new overview and to select from the Select Model drop-
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Delete
Overview
Rename
Overview
The Rename Overview button allows the user to rename the selected overview.
Insert Column
Inserts a blank data column to the right of the column where the cursor is
currently located.
Delete columns
Deletes the column where the cursor is currently located. Note that the column
is deleted immediately without the user being asked to confirm their action.
Print Overview
Copy Grid
Copies the entire data grid for the current overview to the clipboard, allowing
the data to be pasted into other programs such as Word.
Lock Cols
When this button is unlocked (appearing as shown in image at left) the user is
able to change the position of the columns of data.
Export
Overview
Exports the data for the current Equipment Manager overview to Excel.
Clicking on the Export Overview button opens the Export Report to Excel
dialog where the user can enter a name for the Excel file and choose where to
save the file. Note that if the file name chosen is the same as an existing Excel
workbook, the user is prompted to choose whether to overwrite the existing
workbook or to append the current data as a new worksheet in the existing
workbook. The name of the Overview which has been exported is shown in the
tab of the Excel worksheet.
Export All
As for Export Overview, except that in this case all of the overviews listed in
the Current Overview drop-down list are exported to Excel, each on a separate,
named worksheet in the workbook.
Below is an example of a new overview that has been created for cyclones in a
flowsheet that are using the Asomah Advance Inclined Cyclone model. In this
case there is only the one cyclone using this model. The overview has been
configured to show the cyclone diameter (Dc) under the Operating Conditions
category of parameters and also the various data types associated with the
Water Split to Overflow parameter under the Performance Data category of
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parameters.
When a new column is added to the Overview table by clicking on the Insert
Column button, the added column is headed No Selection and contains no
data. The user must select the data to be displayed in the column by first
ensuring that the Lock Cols button is locked and then clicking on the header
cell for the column. This opens the Tab/Options/Parameter dialog.
The user can select the required options from the drop-down lists in the dialog.
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5.6
Adding or
Deleting
Equipment
Units
The user is able to add or remove equipment units from a configuration. Data
for other unit types or similar unit types that are using a different model, must
be viewed and edited by setting up another configuration for that model type.
Changing the
Data Column
Order
To change the order in which the data columns are displayed the user must
unlock the Lock Cols button, select the column in the data table by clicking in
the header cell and then drag the column to its new location on the table as
indicated by a red line. Two or more adjacent columns can also be moved by
selecting all of the columns together (click and drag or Shift-click) and
dragging the group to their new location in the table.
Using Simulation
During simulation JKSimMet calculates the mass flow of the particle classes
in each stream of the flowsheet. The mass in each particle class in the product
streams of each equipment unit is calculated using the mass in each particle
class in the feed stream(s) to the equipment and the model algorithm for the
equipment. These calculations are performed iteratively until the difference in
the stream flows from two consecutive iterations are below a specified
convergence limit. The particle class information is then combined to enable
calculation of the data displayed in the Stream data and Stream Overview
windows. Various unit parameters are also calculated during simulation and
can be viewed in their associated equipment data windows.
What Simulation
Requires
Create the flowsheet (see Section 4.5). Note that each feed stream to a
comminution circuit (unless it consists entirely of water; see Water
Feeder models in Appendix B3) must be preceded by a Feed
equipment unit before it can be simulated. In addition, all equipment
units must have feed streams for the flowsheet to be valid.
2.
3.
Input the feed stream data in the Feed equipment unit (see Appendix
B2).
4.
Select the models for each equipment and input the required model
data (see Sections 4.6.4 to 4.6.6).
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Performing
Simulations
5.6.1
Simulation within JKSimMet can be performed in two ways. If the user simply
wants to simulate the circuit with the current equipment and feed stream data
values only, the Simulation window is used. Alternatively, the Simulation
Manager allows one or more simulations to be performed on the flowsheet
with the user being able to set selected data values (e.g. solids flow rate, %
solids) for each simulation in the batch. The use of each simulation control is
described below.
To perform a simulation with the current data in the flowsheet the Simulation
window is used. The Simulation window can be opened by two methods:
Selecting Run Simulation from the Flowsheet menu, or
Clicking on the Run Simulation icon.
Simulation
Select
The system provides a default simulation for the whole circuit; the user is then
free to create new simulations and delete or rename the simulations that they
add. The whole circuit simulation cannot be renamed or deleted.
Add a new
circuit
Choosing to add a new circuit brings up this dialog, where the user can choose
to accept the default name or enter a name of their choice.
On returning to the main simulation dialog, the user can then choose which
equipment and streams they require for the new simulation
Equipment /
Streams
Using Simulation
In all simulations except the default whole circuit simulation, the user can
choose which equipment items and streams are to be used by the simulation.
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Settings
201
The options in the settings area allow the user to set the convergence limit, set
the iteration count, choose the interpolation method and set the starting
condition for the simulation.
Interpolation options
Starting Conditions
Run
Simulation
5.6.2
When the user has selected the simulation that they wish to run, checked the
choice of the selected equipment and streams and reviewed the settings for the
simulation, they click the start button to run the simulation. The simulation will
run until either the specified iteration count is reached or the fitted convergence
value reaches accuracy level specified in the settings. As the simulation runs it
provide the user with feedback by updating the Convergence and Iteration
count text boxes.
Click on the Simulation Manager icon or select Simulation Manager from the
Flowsheet menu to open the Simulation Manager window. The Simulation
Manager window consists of the Simulation Manager toolbar and three data
tabs, one for setting the simulation conditions (Simulation Scenario) and two
for viewing the simulation results (Results - Streams and Results - Equip).
When the Simulation Manager window is opened, the Simulation Scenario tab
is active.
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Simulation
Scenarios
Data Display
Header
Using Simulation
1.
2.
Tabbed data viewing region each tab contains a data display header
and a data display area, and only one tab can be viewed at any one
time. The three tabs display the simulation conditions and simulation
results:
a)
b)
c)
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203
Note that all of the drop-down lists in the data display header list items in
alphabetical order.
Data Display
Header:
Simulation
Scenario Tab
The data display header for the Simulation Scenario tab is similar to the data
display header in the Configurable Equipment Manager, containing data
headers to describe the selected parameter. These data headers are:
Row 1 Equipment name
Row 2 Model Tab
Row 3 Model Tab Option
Row 4 Parameter name
Rows 5 to 7 Description of property specific parameters
Row 8 Type of Change: choose either replacing the value of the
parameter with a user defined value (select Value), or increasing or
decreasing the value of the parameter by a defined percentage (select
% Change).
Row 9 Original Data: the base case value of the parameter is
automatically displayed when the parameter is added. This provides
a reference point for comparison with the other simulations results.
Data Display
Header: ResultsStreams Tab
The data display header for the Results - Streams tab is similar to the data
display header in the Configurable Stream Overview, containing five data
headers to describe the selected stream data.
Row 1 Stream name
Row 2 Property
Row 3 Calculation Type: select
Row 4 Assay Basis
Row 5 Original Data: the base case value of the parameter is
automatically displayed when the parameter is added. This provides
a reference comparison point for the other simulations.
Data Display
Header: ResultsEquip Tab
The data display header for the Results - Equip tab is similar to the data
display header in the Configurable Equipment Overview, containing several
data headers to describe the selected parameter. These are:
Row 1 Equipment name
Row 2 Model Tab
Row 3 Model Tab Option
Row 4 Parameter name
Rows 5 to 7 Description of property specific parameters
Row 8 Original Data: the base case value of the parameter is
automatically displayed when the parameter is added. This provides
a reference comparison point for the other simulations.
Using the
Simulation
Manager
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2.
3.
4.
5.
Delete Scenario
The current Scenario can be deleted by clicking on the Delete Scenario button
from the toolbar at the top of the Simulation Manager window. Click Yes to the
prompt to delete the current scenario.
Rename
Scenario
The current scenario can be renamed by highlighting the existing name in the
Scenario Name box and typing the new name to replace the old one.
Create a Scenario
Click on the Simulation Scenario tab, then click on the New Sim Scenario
button on the toolbar at the top of the window, type in the name for the new
scenario and click OK.
The Simulation Scenario tab then displays one column in the data display
area with No Selection in the top row of this column.
Note that when selected subsequently, a particular Simulation Scenario
window appears as it was last left by the user.
Selecting the
Parameters
Adding a New
Parameter
To add a new parameter to the Simulation Scenario tab display, first click in
the data display area of the window then click on the Insert Column button on
the toolbar. A new column will be added to the right of the cursor position.
When a new column is added to the scenario, the words No selection are
displayed in the top row of the column. This parameter description can be
changed as outlined below.
Changing
Existing
Parameters
To display a different parameter (or to select a parameter for the first time),
lock the columns, then click in the top row in the data display header of that
column (initially this row will display No selection). A new window
appears to select the parameter.
In this window the user selects the required parameter from the drop-down
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lists by selecting first the Equipment unit for the parameter, and then the Tab,
Option and finally the Parameter to be displayed. Note that the Equipment/
Group drop-down list contains all of the equipment units in that flowsheet, in
alphabetical order. The Tab, Option and Parameter are selected in an identical
manner to the Configurable Equipment Overview.
When parameter selection is complete click on the Close button. The
parameter description will then be displayed in the data display header of
the Simulation Scenario tab. The Type of Change and Original Data are also
displayed at the bottom of the data display header.
If a parameter is selected that requires further property-specific parameter
selection, then a Select Properties window opens on top of the Simulation
Manager window, as is the case in the Configurable Equipment Manager. This
window opens after the user has made the Tab, Option and Parameter
selections and then clicked on Close in the Equipment/Tab/Option/Parameter
window.
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Setting Up
Simulations
The Simulation Scenario tab is used to define the conditions for the different
simulations that are to be performed in the current scenario. Place the cursor
in the data display area and click on the Insert Simulation button on the
toolbar. A new row for a new simulation will be inserted in the row below
where the cursor was placed. Each simulation is automatically given a name,
Simulation 1, Simulation 2, etc. It is also possible for users to change the
names of the simulations. When a simulation has been inserted, ensure that
the Lock Cols button is pressed and then double click in the cell which reads
Simulation 1 (or Simulation 2 etc depending on the number of simulations
inserted). Type in the new name for the simulation and press Enter when
complete.
A simulation can be deleted from the Simulation Scenario tab by selecting the
row to be removed and then clicking on the Delete Simulations button on the
toolbar.
Entering Data
Once a simulation has been created as a row in the Simulation Scenario tab,
new parameter values for that simulation can be entered into the appropriate
columns. To do this, click on the parameter cells for a given simulation and
type in the Value or % Change value to be used for each parameter in the
simulation. The Original Data value for each parameter can be seen in the
bottom row of the data display header for comparison purposes.
Note that other than the parameters selected for display in the Simulation
Scenario tab, all other data used in the simulation calculations are the current
data for the flowsheet. In other words, only the parameter values displayed in
the Simulation Scenario tab can be varied in the simulations all other
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parameters remain fixed at the values that have previously been entered for
each equipment unit, and the feed stream, in the respective Equipment and
Stream windows.
If there are no data entered on the Simulation Scenario tab for a parameter for a
particular simulation (i.e. the cell is left blank), the Original Data value for
that parameter will be used for simulation calculations. Note that the range
limits for parameters are applied when the simulation is run.
Different Simulation Scenarios as well as different simulations within a
scenario may be used to determine the effects of changing parameters on the
circuit performance. For example, it may be useful to determine the effect on
circuit performance of only one parameter at a time, in which case the
Simulation Scenario would only have one parameter selected. A new
Simulation Scenario would then be created to determine the effect on circuit
performance of a different parameter.
The Simulation Manager allows columns to be moved inside the window. To
do this, ensure that the Lock Cols button is turned off, then click anywhere in
the grey area at the top of the column to be moved in order to highlight the
entire column. Once this is done click and drag the column to its desired
location.
Setting up the
Results Tabs
The results of the simulations are recorded on the two Results tabs and the
data to be displayed on these tabs should be set up before simulations are
performed. If a simulation is run and the Results tabs have not been set up, no
results are recorded. In this case you would need to run the simulation again
to see values in any new results cells you have added.
The two Results tabs display the list of simulations that have been defined in
the Simulation Scenario tab in the left hand column, and initially display only
one other column with No Selection in the top row. As with the Simulation
Scenario tab, when these tabs are subsequently opened they will appear as
last left by the user.
All of the cells in the results tabs are dark grey to indicate that they are
calculated values, and cannot be edited by the user.
Results-Streams
Tab
Parameters are added to the Results-Streams tab, and existing parameters are
changed in the same manner as for the Simulation Scenario tab. The dialog
that appears and which allows the user to select the stream parameter, is
shown below.
In this window the user first selects from drop-down lists the Stream, and
then the Property, Calc Type and the Assay Basis to be displayed. Note that
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the Stream drop-down list contains all of the streams in that flowsheet in
alphabetical order. Click on Close to select the parameter. The rows in the data
display header and the Original Data row are automatically filled with values
once a parameter has been selected. The zero values present in some cells are
replaced with simulation results after a simulation run has been performed.
The basis stream for the recovery calculations is selected from a drop-down
list of all of the streams in the toolbar of the Results-Streams tab. Note that if a
different stream is chosen as the basis for the recovery calculation, the new
recovery values calculated using this basis stream will only be displayed after
simulation is performed again.
Results-Equip
Tab
Parameters are added to the Results-Equip tab and existing parameters are
changed in the same manner as for the Simulation Scenario tab. The dialog
which appears and which allows the user to select the equipment parameter
is the same as in the Simulation Scenario tab.
Click on Close to select the parameter. The rows in the data display header
and the Original Data row are automatically filled with values once a
parameter has been selected. The zero values present in some data cells are
replaced with simulation results after a simulation run has been performed.
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Batch Simulation
209
2.
Simulate All - as the name implies, this option runs all of the
simulations in the current scenario in the sequence listed by the user.
The program always runs the Original Data simulation after
performing all the simulations defined by the user. This returns the
flowsheet to its baseline conditions so that all streams and equipment
within the flowsheet will have the data pertaining to its original
condition, rather than that of the last simulation. The simulation
scenario data are displayed in the Simulation Manager tables.
Close Window
Click on the Close button in the top right hand corner of the window to close
the Simulation Manager window.
Edit Groups
The Edit Groups button allows the user to combine equipment units of the
same type and same model together into a named group. When a group has
been defined, it appears in the drop-down list of equipment in the Simulation
Manager, and this allows the user to select the group to change the value of a
parameter for all of the equipment units in the group in one step. For example
in a plant where there are a number of mills, the user could increase the ball
loading by 10% in each of the mills by assigning them to a group and then
setting the % Change for the Load Fraction parameter for this group to 10%.
To create a group the user clicks on the Edit Groups button to display the
Select Equipment for Groups dialog.
Click on the Add Group button to open the Add New Group dialog which
allows the user to create a new group and also to define the equipment and
model types to be included in the group.
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Then insert a new column in the Simulation Scenario, choose the newly
created group in the Equipment/Group drop-down list and choose the
parameters in the usual way.
5.6.3
Print Scenario
Grid
Click on the Print Scenario Grid button on the toolbar to print the data
displayed on the active tab. Each tab must be printed separately.
Copy Grid
The data displayed in the current tab can be copied to the clipboard by
clicking the Copy Grid button. These data can then be pasted into another
program such as Excel or Word.
Lock Cols
Click on the Lock Cols button to lock the current position of the rows and
columns in place. When the Lock Cols button has been clicked, the position of
the rows and columns cannot be accidentally changed.
The Stream window provides access to the Stream data window to view the
data for each stream. The Streams window for each stream can be opened by
three methods:
1.
2.
3.
All of the streams in the current flowsheet may be accessed from the Streams
window via the Stream Name drop-down list. The Streams window can only
be accessed when the flowsheet is locked. A typical Streams window is
shown below.
The Streams window also shows the equipment from which the stream
originates and the equipment to which the stream flows. Clicking on the
double arrow buttons next to the From Equipment and To Equipment dialog
boxes opens the Equipment window relating to that equipment. Accessing the
Equipment data is discussed under the heading Accessing the Equipment and
Model Data 193 .
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211
The layout of the Stream data window is the same for every stream. A tabbed
interface is used to display the different types of stream data. The Totals,
Sizing data, Elemental assay data and Size by elemental assay data tabs are
always displayed.
The types of data available to view in each tab include simulated,
experimental, balanced, SD, error and fitted, and can be selected by clicking
on the Data Type View button. Unwanted data types can be turned off by
selecting the selecting None in the appropriate column.
A typical Stream data window is shown below. In this case, all data types
other than Sim have been switched off.
The Totals tab is always displayed, and lists the overall properties of the
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stream. The values in the Totals tab for each stream are calculated during
simulation. Note that the values in the Totals tab for the feed stream are
defined in the Feed equipment.
The other tabs and the data displayed are:
Name of Tab
Data Displayed
Sizing data
Note that in JKSimMet, the last two tabs are not relevant for simulation. One or
both of these tabs will only become relevant and of interest when you are
looking at the results of a mass balancing operation.
5.6.4
Water in Simulation
There is a selection of models available for water feeders. To associate an
appropriate model with a water feeder you need to double click on the water
feeder icon, just as you would do for any other equipment type. This will bring
up the water feeder Equipment window. From here you select the required
model using the Equipment Model drop-down.
In this case we will select the Required % Solids model for both of the water
feeders. Once the model has been selected, you can click on the double arrow
button to the right of the drop-down to set the parameters associated with this
model.
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213
In the case of the Learner Project, the required % solids should be set to 75% for
the BM Water feeder and 35% solids for the other water feeder (the one adding
water to the cyclone feed sump).
A detailed description of the Water Feeder models
under Model Descriptions.
295
can be found
Remember:
Select the two water feeders from within the Select Equipment / Streams frame
and then select "Adjust" for TPH water within the Control frame of the Mass
Balance sheet.
5.7
5.7.1
The Configurable Stream Overview can be selected from the flowsheet menu,
or launched by the icon on the flowsheet toolbar.
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Configurable
Stream
Overview
Window
2.
3.
4.
5.
Data table
Select List
The user can create one or more Configurable Stream Overview tables. Each
table created is listed by name in the Select List drop-down, allowing the user
to change from one table to another by selecting the required configuration
from the list.
Configurable
Stream
Overview
Toolbar
The toolbar allows the user to create new configurations, rename or delete
existing configurations, add or delete rows and/or columns, print, copy, clone
or export the data to Excel.
New Stream
Overview
To create a new configuration the user clicks on the New Stream Overview
button. This opens the Add New Stream Overview dialog which prompts the
user to enter a name for the new configuration.
Delete Overview
Insert Column
This button will insert a blank data column to the right of the column where
the cursor is currently located. To select a column, click inside the column
itself, not on the column header. Clicking the column header will open the
Selection Options 217 window where you determine the contents of the
column in question.
Copy Column
Pressing this button will insert an extra column that will be a copy of the
currently selected column. You can use this if the new column is to be similar
to the previous one. For instance you could copy a column containing
experimental data and just switch the data type in the copy to simulated data.
Remove Column
Removes the column where the cursor is currently located. Note that the
column is deleted immediately without the user being asked to confirm their
action.
Insert Row
Inserts a stream data row in the overview table, in the row below the current
position of the cursor. When the button is clicked the Add Stream dialog
opens, requiring the user to select the stream to be added to the table from the
list of streams that are not already displayed in the table.
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If no streams are listed in the dialog, it means your table already contains all
the streams from this flowsheet and therefore no further rows can be inserted
in this table.
Remove Row
Pressing this button removes the currently selected row from the table.
If necessary, the deleted stream can be added back into the table using the Add
Row button.
Print Overview
Copy Grid
Copies the entire data grid for the current overview to the clipboard, allowing
the data to be pasted into other programs such as MS Word.
Lock Move
Rows/Cols
When this button is unlocked (appearing as shown in image at left) the user is
able to change the position of rows and columns of data.
Export Overview
This button exports the data for the current overview to Excel. Clicking on the
Export Overview button opens the Export Report to Excel dialog where the
user can enter a name for the Excel file and choose where to save the file. Note
that if the file name chosen is the same as an existing Excel workbook, the user
is prompted to choose whether to overwrite the existing workbook or to
append the current data as a new worksheet in the existing workbook. The
name of the Overview that you have just exported will be adopted as the name
of this new worksheet.
Export All
Selecting Export All will export all of the overviews listed in the Select List
drop-down to Excel, with each one occupying a separate named sheet in the
Excel workbook.
Clone Overview
Clone Overview creates a new overview, which will be an exact copy of the
current overview. This option is useful when viewing or inputting data for
the streams on a sized basis and more than one similar overview screen is
required.
Creating a new
Configurable
Stream
Overview
When the user clicks on the New Stream Overview button the default data
table is displayed. As shown below, this lists all of the streams in the
flowsheet, and displays the TPH Solids (Sim) and TPH Water (Sim) values for
each of the streams.
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To add a stream to the overview table click on the Add Row button and select
the required stream from the list shown in the dialog.
Changing the
Stream Order
The order that the stream names appear in the table is the order in which the
streams were added to the flowsheet when it was first drawn. To change this
order unlock the Lock Move Row/Cols button and then select a stream in the
data table by clicking in the stream name cell and then drag the row to its new
location on the list as indicated by a red line. Two or more adjacent stream
rows can also be moved by selecting all of the rows together (click and drag or
Shift-click) and dragging the group to their new location in the table.
Removing
Streams from the
Table
To remove a stream from the overview table click in the row which is to be
removed and click the Delete Rows button.
Setting Up to
Enter
Experimental
Data via the
Overview
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reduced, depending on the selections that have been made from the Option 1
and Option 2 drop-down lists above.
For preparing a column that is to be used for the entry of your raw data, you
need to select 'Experimental' from the data type (Option 3) drop-down. The
example below shows a situation where the user has chosen to display
elemental assay data for copper and has selected experimental as the data
type.
On returning to the Configurable Stream Overview, you will find that data can
now be entered into this column for the various streams that you have set up
in this particular overview and that this will also be the case for any further
streams that you may later add to this overview.
Configuring the
Columns
5.7.2
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The user can select the required property, calculation type and data type from
the drop-down lists in this dialog. You will see as you start making selections
from the Options drop-downs, that the items available in each will always
depend on what has been selected from the preceding drop-downs. As you
will soon realise, there are a lot of permutations possible, so in this topic we
will just look at a couple of examples. In the examples selected, the user is
presented with quite a few choices before arriving at the complete
specification of the data to be displayed in the column being configured.
Option 1
Selections
In the first drop-down list (labelled Option 1), the items available for selection
are as shown below:
Difference
between %
Passes and %
Passing Data
If you select % Passing you will be presented with a data entry dialog where
you can type in the size (in mm). The data will then relate to the proportion of
the particles that are smaller than your chosen size. In the illustration below,
the user wishes to see data relating to the % of the ore particles that are finer
than 0.25 mm.
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If you select % Passes, then you are requesting data in the form of the screen
size that a given percentage of the particles will pass. In this case you are
again presented with a data entry dialog, but this time what you are entering
is a percentage value rather than a size.
In the illustration above, we are setting up the overview table to display data
relating to the 50% passing size for each of the streams in our flowsheet. Note
that one of the other options in the Option 1 drop-down is P80. Selecting this
item will generate the same type of data, but in this case the 50% value entered
above is replaced by the standard 80% value. Obviously in this case there is
no need for the % Passes data entry dialog, so this will not appear.
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Elemental Data
for the Option 1
Selection and
Subsequent
Choices
If you select Elemental from the Option 1 drop-down, you will then generate a
further selection dialog box where you have to choose the particular element
that you wish to retrieve the data for. Of course this is only relevant for mass
balancing in JKSimMet since none of the JKSimMet models deal with the
distribution of elements around the flowsheet.
Once you have selected the element required, the Option 2 selection dropdown will require you to select between the options TPH, Assay and
Recovery. If you select either TPH or Recovery, the Option 3 alternatives will
be Experimental, Balanced and Size.
If you select Assay from the Option 2 drop-down, the situation becomes a
little more complex, with more options available as shown below.
In this case if you now select Size, you will get a dialog for selecting the size
that you wish to obtain data for.
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221
Once this selection of the required size has been made, the Option 4 dropdown will become available where you can then select which type of size
related elemental data is to be displayed. In the case below we are selecting
Error data for copper assays in the +0.6 mm size fraction.
Be Sure to Select
Exp vs Bal Error
Data if
Elemental Data
Selected
Selecting Error from the above list then requires you to make another choice
regarding the type of data to be compared for the error determinations. Note
that although at this point you can select from the 5 options available in the
dialog box shown below, only the first option of Exp vs Bal will yield any data
when you return to the Configurable Stream Overview table. This is again due
to the fact that we are dealing at this point with elemental data so there will be
no simulated or fitted data for use in the error calculations.
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Once you make this selection, another dialog will appear for selecting the
error calculation method.
Here you can select whichever type of error 94 you wish see displayed in the
Configurable Stream Overview table. Assuming in this case you wanted to
display the weighted errors, then after pressing OK, the Selection Options
dialog would look like the one shown below.
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223
If you select Error Sum for Option 1 (last item on the list), you will be presented
with a dialog box for selecting the type of errors that are to be summed. A screen
grab of this dialog box is below. In this instance, all 5 options are meaningful
since we have not at this stage narrowed the selection to elemental data as we had
in the case described above.
After you have selected the types of data are to be compared to give the individual
data point errors, you will next be presented with a dialog for selecting the type of
error calculation used to arrive at error values for each of these data points. The
choices here are weighted error, percent error and absolute error. The way these
errors are calculated is explained in the topic Viewing Individual Stream Data 94
.
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If you have selected Exp vs Bal from the list of data type comparisons (see the
second last screen grab), then you will be presented with a further choice
regarding the circuit parameter errors that are to incorporated into the error sum.
Note however, that you will only be presented with the above selection drop-box
in JKSimMet if your selection of data types for comparison is Exp vs Bal. The last
two possibilities for inclusion in the error sum are not relevant if you selection
includes simulated or fitted data as the distribution of elements throughout the
flowsheet is not modelled in JKSimMet.
Your selections from these three dialog boxes will be concatenated into an
automatically assigned name for the overall Option 1 selection. This name
appears in the display box to the right of the Option 1 drop-down. As can be seen
from the screen grab below, this name can be rather long and in fact doesn't fit
into the display area in this case.
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225
When you press OK on the above dialog box to close it, the column you have been
setting up in the Configurable Stream Overview will now have this name as its
header. The automatically generated name for the error sum makes the column a
lot wider than it needs to be to accommodate the data (see below).
Modifying
the Column
Names
To overcome this problem, there is the facility to make your own abbreviation or
acronym for the type of error sum that has been selected. To do this you simply
uncheck the Auto Generate Name check-box and replace the auto generated name
with an acronym or abbreviated name that will make sense to you. This can be
done before or after you have gone through the Options selection sequence.
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In this case one might abbreviate the above error sum descriptive name to ErrS
(EvB W T&S) to make the column width closer to that needed for display of the
numbers themselves. To illustrate this, a second column with the same data but
with the abbreviated error sum header, has been included in the screen grab
above.
Note that this ability to insert your own name for the column headers is available
for all of the other data type options as well. It has been illustrated for the error
sum data type as this is where the auto generated name ends up being the longest.
5.7.3
The reporting functionality is accessed either from the flowsheet menu or from
the reporting icon on the flowsheet toolbar.
Reporting to
Excel Window
The Reporting feature allows the equipment and stream data to be exported to
Excel. The user can select which equipment units and which streams have
their data exported. Each report configuration is named by the user when it is
created and this allows the user to create multiple report configurations.
Reporting to
Excel Toolbar
The toolbar allows the user to create new configurations, delete unwanted
configurations, select or de-select data in the selection list and export the data
to Excel.
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New Report
227
To create a new Report configuration the user clicks on the New Report
button. This opens the Add New Report dialog , allowing the user to name the
new report configuration.
To generate a report the user can either choose to use an existing report, or
create a new report. To create a new report the user will need to:
1. Add a report to the system
4. Select which equipment units and streams are to be used in the report
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Report Name
List
Each report configuration created is listed by name in the Report Name dropdown list, allowing the user to maintain as many report configurations as
they require.
Delete Report
Export Report
Format of the
Excel Workbook
The Excel workbook created by the Reporting to Excel feature displays the
selected data in a standard layout. The user is then free to format the data in
the report as they choose.
Part
VI
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Mass Balancing
Mass Balancing
6.1
This chapter describes how to use the JKSimMet mass balancing component
of the software.
Overview
Even the most carefully collected plant survey data are subject to many
sources of variation. Some of these errors are generated within:
the natural variation in process flows, assays, etc.
sampling procedures or design
assaying procedures
sizing procedures
fluctuations in plant flow rates, operating variables, feed parameters, etc.
As with all data improvement processes, the usefulness of the mass balanced
data will be strongly dependent on the quality of the input data. The mass
balancing module can assist the user to assess data and to refine their
experimental technique when problems are detected. Mass balancing will
improve the quality of good data. It will not fix poor quality data or do
anything more than highlight inadequate experimental techniques.
The module is used to mass balance sizing data, head assay data, assay data
in size classes and flow rate data collected at steady state. The balancing
process produces best fit estimates of flow rates, size and assay data which
are consistent within the mass balancing constraints.
The overall process is:
Collect data, using appropriate sampling methods (see Gy (1982), etc.)
Review data
Mass balance data,
Check accuracy of data fit and
Refine experimental technique and instrumentation until desired level of
accuracy is obtained.
6.2
Data Collection
Good data collection procedures are essential to the success of a mass
balance. While this section is not essential for learning how to use the mass
balancing program, it should be studied in detail as poor data collection will
have a significant impact on the quality of mass balance that can be achieved.
Flow Rates
Numerous flow rate measurements are very useful. Hence, calibration of all
flow measurement devices (weightometers, flow meters, etc.) is important.
Whenever possible, try for an independent flow rate check. In small or pilot
plants, time and weigh a known volume of material. As a minimum
Mass Balancing
231
The percent solids of a slurry as measured with a Marcy scale are subject to
error, due to solids density variations in the circuit. Such variations are
common in cyclone underflow streams. Therefore, percent solids determined
from wet and dry sample weights are preferred.
Steady State
Sampling
Good sampling practices are a topic in themselves. Some useful references are
those of Gy (1982) and Lyman (1986) 269 .
For a simple estimating technique for sampling requirements refer to the paper
by Lyman (1986).
There are well established rules for calculating the accuracy of a sampling
and assay process. These can be used to establish an error model which can
then be used to provide estimates of standard deviation for each point.
Alternatively, 5 to 10 replicate samples can be taken and processed. If these
input accuracies are established, then the estimates of accuracy used for flow
rates and assays will be real estimates and not relative estimates.
If replicate sampling is carried out for assays on a number of streams (i.e. a
range of assay values), a simple two term error model can be generated by
plotting relative standard deviation against average assay values from each
stream.
The intercept and slope of this plot will provide fixed (minimum) and relative
(%) error components which can be used in the generalised version of the
Whiten model.
A sensible maximum (absolute) error will also need to be specified.
Determining good estimates of the errors associated with each sampling point
will provide a more reliable mass balance.
6.3
Background
Mass Balancing is a type of model fitting. The models in this case are quite
fundamental. Hence, they do not impose the experience knowledge (which is
built into other mathematical process models) onto the data.
The mass balancing models are:
a stream combiner (for example, a pump sump),
a general stream splitter (for example, a hydrocyclone or a flotation
cell),
a unit that conserves some properties but not others
(for example, a grinding mill will preserve total assays and flow rates but not
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size fractions).
The basis of the mass balancing algorithms is the differences in composition
of various streams; that is, the differences generated by the process equipment.
Consider a process with these streams having assays a, b, c:
If the solids flow rate in a stream of assay "a" is 100 tph, then:
(1)
where x is the solids flow rate in stream of assay "b" and then:
(2)
This is the basis of the traditional two-product solution, where a, b and c may
be assays for a size fraction, element or any other conserved property.
It does not matter what kind of assays a, b and c are, as long as there is some
difference in their values. For example, if the process is a splitter and the
assays are all the same:
a=b=c
and therefore, using equation (2), then x= 0/0 which is undefined.
Expressed another way, the flow rates can be estimated only if a process
imposes a difference on its products; that is, some information is imparted by
the process. If no information is imposed, as is the case with a splitter, then
the information cannot be used to make estimates, as it is not there to begin
with. Note that the split ratio of a splitter can be used in the mass balance.
It follows that the most useful properties to use for mass balancing around a
process unit will be those which have the largest difference in the product
streams.
This means that size assays will work well around a size classifier such as a
screen or a hydrocyclone, and elemental assays will work well around a
flotation circuit. The reverse will generally not be true, with some notable
exceptions. For example, elemental assays such as gold or lead are often very
useful around a hydrocyclone classifier because its density-separating
characteristic will usually produce a large difference in these assays.
The power of this program lies in its ability to use a wide range of assays
across a large flowsheet. The program algorithm is driven by the assays with
large differences but still takes account of those with small differences.
Concept: Mass
Balancing
The mass balancing module takes all selected streams and calculates the
smallest set of data adjustments which will make the data consistent.
If some (or all) of these streams are measured (sampled and sized, etc), the
experimental measurements can be compared with the data. The root mean
square of the normalised differences between measured data and adjusted
Background
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233
Concept:
Standard
Deviation
If the precision of each data point is measured (or can be estimated from
experience), then each difference between experimental data and mass
balanced prediction is normalised by dividing by its precision. That is, a
small difference (or adjustment) between an accurate data point and its mass
balanced prediction will make the same contribution to the weighted sum of
squares as a large difference from an inaccurate data point.
The usual measure of precision is the standard deviation. If repeated
measurements are made of any data point, experimental variations will cause
variations in the measured value xi.
Then with many repeats, the mean
the true value of x.
Standard
Deviation
If the measurements are normally distributed then, out of 100 measurements,
67 could be expected to lie within plus or minus one standard deviation of
the true value (as estimated by the mean), 95 within plus or minus two
standard deviations and 97 within plus or minus three standard deviations.
Concept:
Estimating
Standard
Deviation
Concept: RMS
(Root Mean
Square) Errors
6.4
Background
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JKSimMet program.
The mass balancing problem is essentially a minimisation of sum of squares
with multi-linear constraints. This corresponds to a common set of
mathematical problems generally described as the quadratic problem.
The algorithm is based on a Quasi-Newton approach which means that the
errors in the constraints are used to determine the changes required in
calculated variables, with the amount of movement of the calculated variables
controlled by the standard deviations of the experimental values.
Hence standard deviation values of 0 mean that a calculated value will equal
the experimental value and will not change. If all the standard deviations are
near 0, the program will not have enough freedom to find a solution, and
therefore will not converge. The JKSimMet standard deviation interface
provides formulae to allow appropriate standard deviation values to be set.
When a plant is surveyed, size and assay information are often obtained, as
well as percent solids. However, the solids flow is only known for a small
number of streams (and in some cases, the feed stream only). Very high
standard deviation values imply that the corresponding experimental value is
unreliable. Hence, large standard deviation values are often used for the
solids flow values.
The main algorithm (Quasi-Newton algorithm) needs reasonable starting
values of solid and water flow in order to converge satisfactorily. In order to
estimate these flows (principally where experimental values are not given), a
second algorithm is used.
This second algorithm uses information such as assays and size distribution
data to estimate solids flows. This algorithm is very similar to the method
described as the Morrison solution in JKSimMet. The main difference is that it
also uses the standard deviations of the assay and size information, and it
provides an estimate of the standard deviation of the estimated solids flow.
If there are many missing streams, or missing data, the algorithm will still
have some difficulty in obtaining a solution as the standard deviation values
are too high. A third algorithm is used to reduce the standard deviation
values as the algorithm proceeds to ensure that convergence is obtained.
The three algorithms (Quasi-Newton, missing flow estimation and variable
standard deviation reduction) are all integrated together within the one
algorithm interfaced to JKSimMet. Even though the algorithms work together
it still remains that in some circumstances data reduction may be required to
improve performance. For example, if there are many missing solids flow
values it is best to mass balance solids flow first with information such as
sizes and head assays prior to mass balancing assays within size classes.
JKSimFloat has a hierarchy of data associated with the mass balancing
algorithm. This hierarchy has the solids mass flow at the top, with head
assays, size fractions and % solids all subordinate to the solids mass flow.
The assays of size fractions are subordinate to size fractions, and the mass
flow of water is always a bottom level measurement.
This can be represented schematically by the following diagram.
Mass Balancing
6.5
235
2.
Set TPH Solids and Sizes to Adjust and all other components to
Unused, then run the balance.
3.
Then set the TPH Solids and Sizes to Fixed, the TPH Water to Adjust
and % Solids to Influence and run the balance again.
4.
Set the TPH Water and % Solids back to unused and the Elements to
Adjust and run the balance again.
5.
Set the Elements to Fixed and Size x Element to Adjust and run the
balance a final time.
The individual steps will be covered in more detail over the remainder of this
chapter.
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Mass Balancing
Sequence where
Assay Data is the
Most Reliable
Data
Mass Balancing
Sequence where
% Solids Data is
the Most
Reliable Data
6.5.1
In cases where your assay data is considered more reliable that the sizing
data, you would modify the above sequence as follows:
1.
2.
Set TPH Solids and Elements to Adjust and all other components to
Unused, then run the balance.
3.
Then set the TPH Solids and Elements to Fixed, the TPH Water to
Adjust and % Solids to Influence and run the balance again.
4.
Set the TPH Water and % Solids back to Unused and the Sizes to
Adjust and run the balance again.
5.
Set the Sizes to Fixed and Size x Element to Adjust and run the
balance a final time.
In cases where your % solids data is considered the most reliable data, you
would be better using the balance sequence below:
1.
2.
Set TPH Solids and TPH Water to Adjust and % Solids to Influence
and all other components to Unused, then run the balance.
3.
Now set the TPH Solids to Fixed, TPH Water and % Solids to
Unused and the Sizes to Adjust and run the balance again.
4.
Set the Sizes to Fixed and the Elements to Adjust and run the
balance again.
5.
Set the Elements to Fixed and Size x Element to Adjust and run the
balance a final time.
Mass Balancing
6.5.2
237
The first step in a mass balancing exercise is to enter the experimental data.
This can be performed in two ways:
Individual Stream data windows, or
Configurable Stream Overview
Both methods have their advantages and disadvantages; it is mainly
dependent on what form the experimental data is in.
Accessing the
Individual
Stream Data
The Streams window provides access to the Stream data windows to view the
data for each stream. The Stream data window for each stream can be opened
by three methods:
1.
2.
3.
All of the streams in the current flowsheet may be accessed from the Streams
window via the Stream Name drop-down list. The Streams window can only be
accessed when the flowsheet is locked. A typical Streams window is shown
below.
The Streams window also shows the equipment from which the stream
originates and the equipment to which the stream flows. Clicking on the double
arrow buttons next to the From Equipment and To Equipment dialog boxes
opens the Equipment window relating to that equipment.
The Stream data window is accessed by clicking on the double arrow button
next to the selected stream. Once the Stream data window has opened, the user
can view the various categories of data by selecting the appropriate tab. The
name of the stream being viewed is displayed in the header of the Stream data
window. The Streams window remains open and accessible after the required
Stream data window has opened. If you then select another stream from the
drop-down and click again on the double arrow, you will open a second Stream
data window for the new stream. You can open as many Stream data windows
as you require in this way.
A typical Stream data window is shown below.
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The status of the stream can be set to Major, Minor, or Missing from the
drop-down box at top right. See later 248 in this help file for an explanation of
these terms.
Totals Tab
The Totals tab lists the overall properties of the stream. The other tabs and the
data displayed are:
Name of Tab
Data Displayed
Sizing data
Elemental assay
data
Size by elemental
assay data
Data can be inserted into the individual stream windows using the copy and
paste functions from Excel.
Sizing Data
If you click on the Sizing Data tab you will here be able to enter the sizing data
for the size fractions that have been defined for this project and the associated
SD values. The Stream data window will then look similar to the one shown
below:
Mass Balancing
239
The above window will also show balanced values from the most recent
balance, provided the balancing engine has been run at this point.
Elemental
Assay Data
The next tab is for the elemental assay data and the appearance of this window
will be similar to the one shown below when this tab has been selected.
The last tab is for size by elemental assay data and a screen grab of the
appearance with this tab selected is shown below:
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In this case the numbers are all zeros since no sizing data have been entered at
this point.
Configurable
Stream
Overview
6.5.3
From the Stream Data window, the Automatic SD Calculation window can be
opened by pressing the SD Calculation (SD) button which is the button second
from the left on the Stream data window toolbar.
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241
More detail on how to set the options for SD calculation are covered in the Stream
Windows 165 topic, in the Using JKSimMet section.
The data types associated with the other default columns are simulated (Sim),
fitted (Fit), balanced (Mbal) and the error (Err).
Selecting
the Type of
Error
Calculation
In the case of the error column you can change the form of the error that is
displayed and the currently selected form will be shown in the column header.
This is done by clicking on the Error Sum button, which is the button second from
the right on the Stream data toolbar.
After pressing this button, the Error dialog box will appear where you can specify
both the types of data that are to be compared for determining error values and the
method by which these errors are calculated. For instance in the settings shown in
the screen grab below, the errors will be obtained by comparing the experimental
and balanced data and the method of calculation will just be a straight percentage
error calculation.
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Also in this screen grab, you will notice there is a frame labelled Error Sum below
the drop-down selection boxes. Here there are radio buttons where you can select
the errors that are to contribute to the calculation of the error sum figure that is
displayed in a field (shown circled below), at the top of the Stream data window.
Note that it is only when you select Exp v Bal data for comparison that all three
options are available for the error sum calculation. Because JKSimMet does not
contain models that predict element distributions, the last two options cannot be
selected where either Fit or Sim data are one of the data types to be compared.
These options will be greyed-out in all but the Exp v Bal data case.
Error
Calculation
Methods
and
Summing of
Errors
The types of error calculation available for selection are Weighted, Percent and
Absolute. Weighted errors take account of the reliability assigned to the various
data points by dividing the difference by the SD value. Larger SD values mean that
the differences will contribute less to the total error calculation. The other two
methods take no account of the assigned SD values.
The calculation methods are:
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243
6.5.4
Entering
Individual
Stream Standard
Deviations
Ensure the flowsheet is locked and double click on a stream to bring up the
stream window for that stream.
Setting the SD to
Missing
If missing is entered for the standard deviation, the mass balancer will
recognise that no experimental data was recorded for this stream. However,
the stream will be included in the mass balance and a balanced value will be
If the sample or flow data for a particular stream is not available, you can
leave the experimental value set to zero and then set the standard deviation
value to Missing.
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The left-hand panel lists all the streams in the current flowsheet. Individual
streams can be selected by clicking on the stream name. Multiple streams can
be selected in a similar manner to the way this is achieved when using
Windows Explorer. A contiguous group of streams can be selected by holding
<Shift> when clicking on a stream further down the list. A selection of non
contiguous streams can be made by holding down <Ctrl> and clicking on the
streams required.
The Property drop-down permits the user to select the parameter that is to
have the standard deviation formula applied to it. To select a property, click
the drop-down arrow and double click on the desired property.
The SD Calculation Option drop-down allows the user to choose from a list
of mathematical formulae and other options for setting the standard
deviations. This list contains the following formula options: Bounded
percentage, Parabolic, SD Multiplication Factor, Exp Val Multiplication
Mass Balancing
245
When the Bounded Percentage option is selected, the user inputs the Upper
(U), Lower(L) SD limits and the percentage error in between (P) to calculate the
standard deviations for an experimental data value (x).
Parabolic
When the Parabolic option is selected, the user inputs the proportionality
constant (a) which will be used to calculate the magnitude of the standard
deviations associated with each experimental data value (x).
SD
Multiplication
Factor
When the SD Multiplication Factor option is selected, the user inputs the
multiplication factor to be multiplied by the existing standard deviations in
the system.
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Exp Value
Multiplication
Factor
When the Exp Value Multiplication Factor option is selected, the user inputs
the multiplication factor to be multiplied by the existing experimental values
in the system.
Replacement
Value
When the Replacement Value option is selected, the user is asked to input the
value to replace selected SD values in the system.
Missing Value
When the Missing Value option is selected the user does not enter any value.
On calculation, the selected stream and property values are assigned as
missing values.
Note that the selections associated with a particular property class persist so
that when the user changes the property class selection, the calculation option
and its associated parameters last entered by the user for that property are
displayed.
When the user clicks on the Calculate button the program will calculate the
SDs only for the Stream and Property Class that are currently selected and in
view.
Note that even after SDs have been automatically calculated, the user is still
able to go to an individual experimental data point in the Stream Data
window and change the SD for that data point. However any changes to SD
values in the Stream Data window will not be reflected in the Automatic SD
Calculation window.
It is up to the user to decide which standard deviation calculation method
best suits the data.
Click Close to exit the Automatic SD Calculation window.
IMPORTANT
NOTE
All data points MUST have a standard deviation value associated with them
or else be set to Missing. This includes the TPH water and % solids, as well
as the TPH solids, overall assays and size-by-assay data.
The water balance is performed on TPH water, using the experimental %
solids and TPH solids to calculate the experimental values. The balanced
water flow rates are determined from the % solids values.
6.5.5
The Mass Balance feature of JKSimMet allows the user to select the streams and
equipment items to include in the balance, as well as selecting which
parameters can be adjusted during the mass balancing process.
Open the the Mass Balance window by either pressing the Run Balance button
on the toolbar or by selecting Run Mass Balance from the Flowsheet drop-down
menu. Once this window is open, the user enters mass balance mode where no
alterations to the flowsheet, streams or equipment can be made.
For this tutorial, mass balancing will be performed on the Learner Project, which
has already been established and has been used for examples throughout this
help file. The Learner Project file will have been supplied with your copy of the
software.
You can either follow along using this project, or alternatively if you have your
own project with data, you can use the instructions as a general guide for mass
balancing your own flowsheet. See the section Create a New Project 61 if you
Mass Balancing
247
are unfamiliar with the steps necessary to establish a project and you wish to
create and then load data into your own project. .
Opening the
Mass Balance
Window
Step 1
Load the Learner Project and select the Learner Flowsheet from the
drop-down list. If necessary, resize the flowsheet window to view
the entire flowsheet. Ensure that the flowsheet is locked.
Step 2
The left-hand panel of the Mass Balance window is where you set up the
conditions for the mass balance that is to be carried out on your circuit. Here
you select which streams and equipment items are to be included in the balance
and you specify the components including the size fractions and elements
(mineral or chemical assays) that will be available for the balancing procedure.
At the bottom of this panel you have the Control fields where you select what is
to be included in the current balance and you specify values for the parameters
that control the balance.
The right-hand panel contains all of the results for your balance. When the mass
balance is under way, you can observe its progress in the top two fields which
show the number of iterations that have so far taken place plus the current
convergence value. The balance will be complete when the convergence value
goes below the convergence target that has been set in the Controls section.
6.5.6
Selecting Data
Opening the
Mass Balance
Window
As is also the case for the Simulation and Model-Fitting modules, you may
select a single unit or a cluster of units from your flowsheet on which to perform
a mass balance. This allows you to check small parts of a circuit for data
consistency.
Step 1
Open the Mass Balance window by clicking on the first of the three
large buttons located in the left panel, just above the flowsheet list.
Step 2
When you first open this window there will be a default Mass
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The default selection for a new Mass Balance Case is for all of the units and
streams to be selected. Therefore the first stage in defining a Mass Balance Case
is to examine the list of equipment and streams and to decide which items are
to be included in your balance.
The next step is to remove any unwanted items by clicking on the adjacent
check-box to remove the tick. Select All and Select None buttons have also been
provided to speed up the process of balance configuration. In this case we will
be balancing with all equipment units selected and all streams - apart from the
water streams, which we will add later.
Note that if you de-select an item of equipment, the input streams for that
equipment will no longer be balanced with the output streams, even if all of
these streams remain selected on the Streams list.
If only equipment has been selected, it is not necessary to specify which streams
to include in the mass balance. The mass balancer will automatically determine
which streams should be included in the mass balance based on which
equipment has been selected.
Designation
In the streams list there is a second column labelled "Designation". There are
three settings possible for the designation field, Major, Minor and Missing.
This distinction between the different categories of streams enables selected
streams to be balanced or fixed at various times throughout the mass
balancing process.
A Major stream refers to one that can be balanced initially, for
example the plant feed, final concentrate and final tail streams,
Mass Balancing
249
By default, all streams are initially assigned to the Major group. As another
example of where you might make use of this facility, you may have a complex
circuit and wish to adjust values for a sub-section of the circuit only. In this
case you could assign all of the streams that make up this sub-section, to one
of the other two groups. You would then find that during the next run of the
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balance, all plant values would remain fixed at their previous balanced levels
and it would be only the stream values for the required sub-section of plant
that would be adjusted as a result of this balance.
Note that the group assignation for each stream can be changed in the above
frame. To do this you just click on the required stream and then click the
appropriate button at the bottom of the list. Note that this assignation can also
be changed using the drop-down list in the top right corner of the Stream Data
window.
Step 3
Note that on the flowsheet there is also visual feedback for the selection of
equipment items, with those that have been selected being highlighted in bold
blue.
It is possible also to select and deselect items (both streams and equipment) for
your balance list, by clicking on these items on the flowsheet. You will see that
the bold highlighting will disappear to indicate de-selection. Clicking on them
performs a toggle action - so clicking again will re-instate the selection.
Step 4
Because each Mass Balance Case has a name, you may set up several different
ones to examine different sections of a circuit. You can select all streams and
equipment units on your flowsheet, a single unit (together with its input and
output streams) or else a selection of units and their associated streams. Note
that they need to be contiguous i.e. with streams connecting all of the selected
units, to ensure that your selected sub-circuit does get balanced as a single
circuit.
Learning Mass Balancing
Mass Balancing
251
In earlier versions all stream data were stored in equipment ports. To balance
a subset of the data, you needed to choose both equipment and ports
(streams). In this version, the stream data are now stored within the streams
themselves, but the same rule still applies for the balancing of data sub-sets.
6.5.7
Selecting Components
The mass balancing module can perform mass balances based on two types of
data; namely elements and size distributions. These can be used individually
or together to achieve the balance. If you also have assays of the size fractions,
then you can add an extra dimension to your balance by allowing the size by
element data to be used in the balancing process as well.
Mass balancing therefore contrasts with the model-fitting and simulation
modes in JKSimMet since in the latter modes it is only ever the size
distribution data that are used.
In the next frame of the Mass Balance window, you can select the elements
and sizes that are to be used for the current mass balance case.
In the left hand section of this frame is the list of elements that have been
entered during the project configuration stage. At the end of this list you will
see there is an element called Remainder that has been added to allow for any
mass not accounted for by the sum of the defined elements. All of the elements
will initially be selected by default. If for some reason you wish to leave out
one of these elements from the balancing process, then you can simply
uncheck the relevant check-box.
To the right of the elements selection area is a similar list for sizes, which
shows all the sizes (in mm) that have been defined for this project. Again they
will be all selected by default to begin with. In this case we will de-select all of
the sizes since we will be balancing on the assays alone.
Again, with both of these lists, there is a check-box provided at the top to
allow you to select or deselect all of them. This can be useful for speeding up
the process of defining the suite of components that are to be balanced for the
balance case in question.
Step 1
Ensure that all of the elements have been selected, but that none of
the sizes are selected.
To the right of the elements & sizes selection frame is another frame with the
heading "Adjust Streams". Here there are check boxes for the 3 categories 248
of streams. All three of these boxes will be checked by default. In this case we
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want the balance to make adjustments to all streams in the circuit and in any
case, all the streams in this circuit have been left in the Major category. This
means that as long as the Major check-box is ticked, all streams will get
adjusted. However, there is no problem with leaving ticks in the other two
categories as well.
Step 2
6.5.8
Solution Controls
To perform a mass balance the next step is to set the controls for this balance.
In the Control frame there are various drop-down selection fields where you
have the ability to choose the parameters that are to be involved in this
balance. In addition, you can control the way the balance begins and
concludes.
Step 1
Click in the white cells in the Select? column to change the settings on each
parameter. There are a total of four settings that parameters may be set to,
although not each setting will be available for each parameter.
Adjust The experimental values associated with this measurement are
included in the mass balance sum of squares calculation and a mass balance
adjusted data value is calculated by the mass balance which is consistent
with all other data in the system.
Fixed The previously calculated balance values are held at their current
value and are used in the calculation of other parameters selected as Adjust.
This is used, for example, to keep flow rates fixed when adjusting size so as to
stabilise the convergence.
Influence The experimental values associated with this measurement
influence the outcome of the mass balance (i.e. are included in the sum of
squares calculation) but are not returned as an adjusted consistent set of
values after mass balancing. This means the mass balanced values for this
parameter are left as zeros after balancing. The exception to this is in the case
of % Solids, where values are returned during mass balancing. The objective
of the Influence option is to allow the experimental data for the parameter
concerned to contribute to a higher level balance, even though the data for this
Mass Balancing
253
parameter are too sparse to allow the generation of its own set of mass
balanced values.
Unused The experimental values associated with this measurement are not
included in the mass balance sum of squares calculation and its mass
balanced value is not changed.
If only certain elements or size fractions are to be sent to the balance, use the
tick boxes provided to select the required parameter. These will then be used
according to the options set in the main drop-down boxes. If an inconsistent
selection is made, an error message will be displayed when the mass balance
is run.
For balancing complex circuits, it is suggested to select all 'Major' streams in
the first instance and balance (adjust) them. Once the user is happy with this
balance, set the Major streams to 'Fixed' and adjust the minor streams, then
the missing streams.
In this way certain parts of the circuit can be balanced and fixed to continue
balancing other parts of the circuit.
The other two fields within the Control frame are "Constraint" and
"Convergence". The first of these relates to how missing values are to be
handled by the balancing engine. There are two options for this field;
"Experimental" and "Balanced".
If you select "Experimental" here, any stream values that are missing will be
ignored in carrying out this balance. If you select "Balanced", then wherever a
missing experimental value is encountered, the balancing engine will
temporarily substitute the balanced value obtained from the last time the
balance was run.
Step 2
For the first run of this balance we will set the Constraint to
"Experimental".
The "Convergence" field is where you determine how close the agreement
between stream values has to be before the balancing engine decides that a
balance has been achieved. When you click on the "Convergence" drop-down,
the alternatives you will be presented with are "Average", "Good" & "Tight".
The values for the convergence criterion that are associated with these
alternatives are 0.1, 0.01 and 0.001 respectively. Once you have made your
selection, it will be the appropriate number rather than the associated word,
that will appear in the Convergence field.
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Step 3
Typically you would use either % solids or TPH water as a component when
balancing a flowsheet that involves gravity separations. Note that if you use
% solids as a component, then you must specify appropriate water additions.
For a description of what happens when % solids is included as a component,
see the next topic on Water 254 .
It is usually a good idea to run mass balancing in stages however. In this case
we will just run the balance using the TPH solids and the elemental assays as
we have good measurements of these on all streams except the cyclone feed
stream. After we have completed this simplified balance, we will then add in
the water as an additional parameter to be balanced. After this, size
distributions can be added in as well.
Some Comments
on Mass
Balancing
Note that it is not necessary to understand the detailed workings of the mass
balance engine in order to make use the mass balance module. The following
comments about its workings may be useful however.
The mass balancing algorithm runs in several stages.
The first is the simple solution, which is analogous to multiple linear
regression. Unless the data have serious problems the balance will converge
in one step; that is, the second solution will be the same as the first.
If small negative values occur, you can increase the number of steps to
eliminate such values. However, recheck your data carefully. Negative values
indicate measurement bias.
For higher numerical accuracy you may increase the iteration limits. However,
there will be no gain in the balance accuracy because data accuracy will be
the usual limit.
Hint: Read the section on problems relating to mass balancing
adjusting these settings.
267
before
6.5.9
Water in Balancing
If you have selected TPH Water as a component from within the Control frame,
then you will be also mass balancing any water additions to the circuit
together with the water contained in all the slurry flows throughout the
circuit.
Note that you cannot use % Solids unless you first select TPH Water as a
parameter to be adjusted. Except for the water addition streams, experimental
values for water are entered by specifying the % solids values for the streams.
However, the program calculates TPH Water values from these values and it is
Mass Balancing
255
TPH Water that is used by the engine as a balancing component. The % solids
is not adjusted per se, but it can be used in determining the error after each
iteration and this is what is meant by "influence".
To allow the mass balancing engine to include water in the balance, you need
to ensure that you have selected any water feeder product streams using the
streams select list, in the Equipment / Streams frame. In the Learner Project,
there are two water feeders on the Learner Flowsheet.
Measured data and estimated SD's are entered in the data window associated
with the water streams emanating from these water feeders.
This is the simplest step. Once the components have been specified, the
desired equipment and streams selected and the balance controls set, the mass
balancing can begin.
Click on the Start button which is located at the bottom right of the Mass
Balance window.
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The mass balancing program will run and when the balance has completed,
the results will be summarised in the right hand panel of the Mass Balance
window.
In the Results frame at the top of this panel is the actual convergence value.
This is the value that is compared with the required Convergence value
selected by the user in the bottom drop-down of the left-hand panel. The
program considers the balance is complete once the actual value goes below
this user specified convergence setting.
The right-hand field of the Results frame is the number of iterations that the
balance has gone through before arriving at the indicated convergence value.
The frame below the Results frame is labelled "RMS Errors" - standing for root
mean square errors. In this frame you can gauge how well the data has
balanced compared to the previous balance. Smaller values of the RMS errors
Mass Balancing
257
If you have assays on most or all streams, the normal sequence for mass
balancing would be to initially set TPH Solids and Elements to "Adjust" with
all other parameters set to "Unused". Once a balance has been achieved using
these parameters, you would next set both of them to "Fixed" and now set the
TPH Water to "Adjust" and the % Solids to "Influence". Then after this balance
has run, the next step would be (if you have sizing data), to set both water
parameters to "Fixed" and set Sizes to "Adjust". Finally, if you also have Size
by Element data you would set Sizes to "Fixed" and the Size by Element
parameter to "Adjust".
If you are working with Sizing data only and do not have any assays, you
would start the process with TPH Solids and Sizes set to "Adjust". After this
balance runs, you would set these two parameters to "Fixed" and set the TPH
Water to "Adjust" and the % Solids to "Influence".
The next step in the Learner Project is to make the TPH Solids and the
Elements fixed and to balance on water, making the TPH Water set to "Adjust"
and the % Solids set to "Influence. After you change these balancing settings,
you should click on the Clear button prior to re-running the balance. The
Mass Balance window will then look like the one below.
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Pressing the Start button will then produce a balance similar to the one shown
below.
Since in this case we also have sizing data, the next step is to balance on these
data. To set this up you need to click in the check-box labelled "Select/
Deselect All" above the Sizes list in the Elements / Sizes frame. This will select
all of the sizes that are present in the size analysis for the samples in this
circuit. You then need to uncheck the 13.2 mm size, since this contains a value
of zero for the experimental retained mass for all three products and this will
cause problems for the balancing routine.
In order to run the balance on the sizing data, you need to also switch the
TPH Water and % Solids back to "Unused". When the balance runs, you
should see the window looking similar to the screen grab below.
Mass Balancing
259
In this case we do not have any size by assay data, so at this point the
balancing process is complete. If you did have size by assay data, the next
step would be to set the Sizes back to "Fixed" and then the Size by Element to
"Adjust".
The next step is to look critically at the balance results and there are various
ways of doing this. The next topic discusses the options here and what you
need to look for in examining the balance results.
The data-
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checking occurs for all levels of variables to be calculated, and assumes that
higher level values have reasonably small standard deviations of the
calculated values. In other words data-checking treats upper level values as if
they are fixed.
Data-checking is used to check the reliability of the data. In particular, if
standard deviation values are too small, the algorithm will have difficulty
converging.
The data-checking algorithm works by considering the difference between
flow (of any property) going into and out of a unit. The difference should be
consistent with the standard deviations. For example, for a unit having one
stream in and two streams out, the total flow values may be represented by f1,
f2 and f3 with corresponding variance values v1, v2 and v3. The flow
difference is:
Mass Balancing
261
This window, for instance, would indicate that particular problems exist with
the Cyc U/F and BM Product streams.
Identifying particularly problematic streams allows the user to immediately
focus on which data values may be less accurate than indicated by their
standard deviation. It may be necessary to change standard deviation values
to improve the mass balance.
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the TPH Solids to "Unused", while leaving Elements on "Adjust". You will also
have to de-select "Remainder" from the elements list, since this will be a
relatively large number also, possibly approaching 100. After you have done
this, you should get a much better picture of how well the elemental data have
balanced. It should be noted though that you cannot actually carry out a
balance with the TPH Solids set to "Unused". Note too that you can hover the
mouse over individual data points to identify them, as is illustrated in the
screen grab below. Don't be too impatient here though - you do need to have the
mouse positioned over the point you wish to identify for between 1 and 2
seconds before the data will appear.
The Configurable Graphing facility allows the user to plot experimental and
balanced size distribution data on the same screen. Further description of this
can be found in the section Plotting Size Data Graphs 265 .
If mass balancing a large and complex circuit is proving difficult, a useful
technique for tracing the source of the problem is to dissect the circuit into
smaller chunks for balancing. The Mass Balancing module allows balances to
be carried out on a single unit or on a small set of units, isolated from the main
circuit by means of the Select List facility. This allows you to put the test data
under a microscope.
If circuit conditions were changing as you did your test work, you may find that the
unstable sections of the plant will have yielded unusable results. As a general
principal, a good balance depends on having steady state conditions and varying
conditions will usually produce nonsense.
6.6
Mass Balancing
6.6.1
263
Step 2
Select From the Select List at top left, select the pre-configured
overview the existing Overview that is labelled "Stream Data (Exp,
Bal & SD)".
Note that from within this window, you can elect to change the way you view
the sizing data. The drop-down at top right contains the sizing data options of
% Retained, Cum % Retained and Cum % Passing. You can also gain access to
the SD Calculation window 243 from here via the button next to this drop-down.
This is provided here since after examining the most recent balance data, it will
often be the case that you may need to modify certain SD values before rerunning the balance.
6.6.2
Normally for reporting the results of a mass balancing procedure you would most
likely want to show the experimental, balanced and SD values for each type of
data involved and for each of the streams included in the balance.
Printing
Individual
Port Data
Windows
One way to do this is via the individual stream data windows. To open a stream
data window, just double-click on the required stream in your flowsheet. These
windows all have SD and Mbal data as pre-configured display columns. You
cannot directly print these windows, but you can copy the grid from them into
Excel. To do this you press the Copy button, located top centre of the Stream Data
window. As it is only the active tab that gets copied, you need to ensure that you
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have the appropriate tab selected for the type of data that you are intending to
report on.
This method may occasionally be useful if you are wishing to report the data for a
particular stream, but in general one of the other two methods below is probably
more practical.
Printing the
Configurable
Stream
Overview
Another alternative is that once you have the Configurable Stream Overview set
up according to your requirements, you can either print it directly or else export it
to Excel for further manipulation before printing.
When you use the Print function directly, the options for manipulating the format
of your report are somewhat limited and it is likely to span across several pages.
In most cases it is probably better to use the Export function and then print a
report from Excel.
There are two Export buttons - one is for exporting just the overview that is
currently displayed, while the other will export all of the overviews that have
been set up for this project. Note that this includes all the system configured
overviews as well as any that you may have created. The export function will
create a new Excel sheet for each of the existing overviews.
The copy grid option is also available from the Configurable Stream Overview
window and this may sometimes be useful as a quick way of getting the required
data into Excel for further manipulation.
Configure
and Print a
Report
), a window
From here you can create reports with complete flexibility regarding which
equipment items, streams and types of data that are to be included. There is also a
drop-down to allow you to choose the way your sizing data will be expressed in
the report.
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265
For a mass balancing report, it is recommended that you place a tick in the
Summary check-box. When you do this, the formatting of the report will be
modified for easier comparison of values between streams. With the Summary
check-box ticked, the stream data will be arranged with the stream headings
across the page and the parameters down the page, grouped by data type. If you
have also selected equipment for the report, the equipment data will still be listed
down the page along the left-hand border, but it will have a lot less detail than in
the non-summary version.
6.6.3
For the sizing data it is possible to get a more detailed visual feedback on how
much adjustment was needed, by plotting a size distribution graph of both the
experimental and balanced data. A drop-down is provided to allow you to
select the format of the sizing data. This can be either cumulative % passing, %
retained or cumulative % retained. The data can be plotted for a number of
streams on the same chart, to allow comparisons.
An example of the graphing facility with the required data types in the process
of being selected from the drop-down, is shown in the screen grab below.
Once the streams to be displayed have been selected and the data format and
data types selected, you simply click on the Graph tab and the required chart
will appear in place of the graph configuration table. The screen grab below
shows a typical example in which the user has chosen to show the circuit feed
from the Learner Flowsheet plus the two products from the cyclone.
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It is also possible to make changes to the way this graph appears, using the
Format button near the top right of this window. If you click on this button, a
new window will open where you can make a number of changes to the chart
formatting. An example is shown below.
Any graph that you generate here can be easily inserted into an Excel or MS
Word report using the Copy button at top right.
Mass Balancing
6.7
267
6.7.1
Errors, Warnings,
Faults
Graphical
Analysis
Different Sizing
Techniques
Different Assay
Techniques
Skill versus
Practice
Mass Balancing is not a cut and dried procedure. The only way to acquire a
useful skill level is to practise on a wide range of real data. JKSimMet offers a
user-friendly environment for what are really very complex and powerful
mathematical techniques.
Data
Note that it is necessary to have enough feed and product data to achieve a
useful mass balance. This is very important. Generally you need to have
redundant data and the more of this you have, the better. If you have no
redundant data at all, then the mass balancing exercise reduces to just a
calculation i.e. there is only one solution to the balance. In this case the
internal checking that comes from having these extra data (and is also one of
the major advantages of mass balancing), will no longer be operating.
Without redundant data, there could well be a very large error in one of your
data points and you would have no way of ever being alerted to it.
Common Mass
Balancing
Pitfalls
There are a couple of simple traps which can appear in many guises. If you
become aware of these now you may recognise them more easily when you
encounter them in the future. These are discussed in the two sub-topics that
follow.
Below we have a single unit flow diagram for a separation node where there
is a middlings stream of assay m.
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6.7.2
6.8
Metallurgical Accounting
Use in
Metallurgical
Accounting
The day to day data collected from a mineral processing plant are rarely
consistent and will almost always contain redundant information. In general,
any two methods of calculation will yield different results. The challenge for
metallurgical accounting is to produce adjusted data that are both selfconsistent and as accurate a representation of plant performance as possible.
Consider a typical base metal concentrator with several products from several
circuits,
At each point marked , we have Au, Cu, Fe, Pb and Zn Assays. For the feed,
Mass Balancing
269
we have weightometer readings and for the concentrates we have load out
weights with stockpile surveys.
If we select an accounting period that is large compared with the circuit
residence time, we can carry out a mass balance over this complete data set. If
large adjustments are required, these may be an indication of problems in
either sampling or assay techniques. In this case you may need to select
smaller circuits for mass balancing in order to isolate and identify these
problems.
Once a consistent set of adjusted data is produced for each accounting period,
the sums of these sets will also be consistent.
If assays and flow rates are available on a short time scale, e.g. several times
per shift, these data can be balanced for each time period, printed to a file or
exported to most Windows spreadsheet or word processing packages using
copy and paste.
JKMetAccount
6.9
References
LYNCH, A.J., 1977. Mineral Crushing and Grinding Circuits, (Elsevier,
Amsterdam), Chapter 7.
LYMAN, G.J., 1986. Application of Gy's sampling theory to coal, International
Journal of Mineral Processing, Vol 17:1-22.
GY, P.M., 1982. Sampling of particulate materials: theory and practice, 2nd Ed,
Metallurgical Accounting
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References
Part
VII
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Model Fitting
Model Fitting
7.1
This chapter describes how to use the JKSimMet model-fitting mode. Model
fitting allows JKSimMet to be fine-tuned to each specific plant and operating
condition, or even to particular ore types. It does so by adjusting selected
model parameters on the basis of systematic differences between measured
product data and simulation predicted product data.
The model fitting procedure can take into account any measured flow rates
and estimates of their accuracies.
Previously the determination of the model parameters was performed in
spreadsheet-based programs, involving complex formulae. This has been
very time consuming and potentially prone to error. As more companies are
becoming skilled in developing models, JKSimMet enables the fitting routines
to be standardised. The ability to use JKSimMet to fit the model parameters
greatly increases the efficiency and level of confidence in developing the
models; although a high degree of training is still required to ensure
reasonable results are obtained.
Overview
For both plant designer and plant operator, model fitting is primarily
concerned with the collection of accurate experimental data, at either pilot or
full plant scale. The model fitting process provides a powerful means of data
examination or assessment as well as the compression of thousands of data
points into a few parameters.
The parameters characterise how a particular ore behaves in a particular
plant. This characterisation can be used to find the optimum plant settings
with respect to various criteria, or even to find an optimal plant configuration
to achieve stated objectives.
As with all data analysis or prediction processes, however, the quality of the
output is strongly dependent on the quality of the input. The computer jargon
for this phenomenon is GIGO or GARBAGE IN GARBAGE OUT. A serious
difficulty with all realistic simulation systems like JKSimMet is that they will
produce very plausible looking nonsense from rubbishy data.
Hence, just as the spreadsheet is not a replacement for the accountant,
JKSimMet is not a replacement for a metallurgist or process engineer. There is
no substitute for professional expertise or experience, especially in the
collection and analysis of large quantities of data. JKSimMet provides such a
professional with a tool of enormous power.
The general procedure for model fitting is:
Collect data;
Analyse data;
Optimise plant using models;
Adjust plant;
Model Fitting
273
7.2
The JKSimMet models are provided with a set of default parameters and, in
most cases, a range of parameter values.
For any real mineral processing operation, the best-fit parameters will almost
certainly be different from the default values provided with the system.
There are several classes of parameters used as model inputs:
7.3
Machine
Parameters
Firstly there are the machine dependent parameters. These are typically
dimensions and key operating adjustments.
Ore Parameters
Then there are the ore dependent parameters. For example, the work index or
specific gravity or appearance function for a particular ore at a particular
energy.
Operating
Parameters
Circuit Flow
Rates of Solids
and Water
Model
Parameters that
can be Fitted.
Each model has a list of parameters that can be fitted. Each parameter to be
fitted is selected from a menu for that model. These menus are listed for each
of the models within the Model Descriptions 294 section.
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predict the product data, the model-fitting program uses the sum of the
squares of the differences between the predicted and the actual product data
to adjust the model parameters.
The difference between simulation and model fitting is represented
schematically below:
7.4
Model Fitting
275
Model fitting consists of adjusting the model parameters so that the model
predictions line up as closely as possible with collected experimental data.
These data are collected from the real plant or circuit, and they are mostly data
associated with the circuit product stream or streams.
Any parameter within the comminution models can be incorporated into the
fitting routine. In general, the model parameters are within the comminution
machines themselves, while the data to be fitted against are within the
streams.
7.5
7.5.1
7.5.2
System Properties
The first step in model fitting for a given flowsheet is to check the system
properties defined for that flowsheet. First make sure that you have selected
the flowsheet you wish to deal with. Remember that you need to double-click
on a flowsheet from the list in order to select it. Next you should click on the
System Properties icon or select System Properties from the Flowsheet submenu to open the System Properties window.
System
Properties
7.5.3
192
Stream Specification
Click on the Stream icon or select Stream from the Flowsheet menu to open
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the Stream window. From here you can select individual streams. See
Entering the Data 237 under the chapter Learning Mass Balancing for more
detailed information.
For model fitting within JKSimMet, the user must ensure that sizing data has
been entered as part of the stream data for all streams associated with the
equipment item or items concerned.
For the models associated with these equipment items, the default values for
the parameters being fitted can be used as starting values.
7.5.4
Data Input
Feeder Units
JKSimMet requires the user to enter data into the Feeder units, even though
this data has been previously used in the streams for the mass balance.
Ensure the following data has been entered for the feed stream(s):
TPH solids
% solids
Size distribution
Configurable
Equipment
Manager
In a similar manner to setting up the flowsheet for simulation, the user must
enter starting point parameter values for the equipment units. The addition of
these data can be achieved via the Configurable Equipment Manager 153 or be
entering the data directly into the individual unit windows.
The Configurable Equipment Manager can be particularly useful where you
have multiple equipment units with the same associated process model.
Survey Data
7.5.5
If you have survey data that has been entered into the survey data screen, the
task of getting your data into the various flowsheet streams can be efficiently
accomplished via the Transfer button on this Survey Data 175 window.
Model Fitting
277
% solids
ALL size fractions
Where no experimental data is present, ensure the standard deviation value is
set to Missing.
Run the mass balance using the hierarchical structure as discussed in the
Mass Balancing 230 section:
Adjust TPH solids and elements first until reasonable values have
been obtained, keep these as fixed for subsequent runs;
Adjust TPH water, using % solids as influence, then leave as unused
for subsequent runs;
Adjust size fractions (wt %)
Review results using the parity graph, Configurable Stream Overview and
individual stream windows to ensure realistic values.
7.5.6
Step 1
The Model Fitting window within JKSimMet contains several frames. When
first opened, either by clicking on the Model Fitting button (
), or by selecting
Run Model Fitting from the Flowsheet menu, a window similar to the one
shown below will appear.
At the top left is a drop-down selection box for selecting the Model Fit Case. By
default, there is a system generated model fit case called Whole Circuit, which
as the name implies, encompasses all the equipment items in your flowsheet
that have associated models, plus their connecting streams.
The Whole Circuit model fit case cannot be deleted. However, you can add
(and/or delete) as many more model fit cases as you wish, so as to enable the
fitting of either individual equipment items or sections of the plant that
encompass any number of connected items.
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Creating a New
Model Fit Case
Step 2
Add a new model fit case for the ball mill only.
To add a new model fit case, you first click on the button at the end of the dropdown (circled in the screen grab below).
After clicking on this button, a window labelled Simulate will open containing
a similar drop-down list at the top, this time labelled Simulation Select List.
From this window you can add new model fit cases as well as make any
changes needed to ones you have previously added.
A screen grab of this window is shown below.
Beneath the drop-down list there are two panels, the left-hand one showing a
list of equipment items and the right-hand one showing a list of the streams.
You will notice that when Whole Circuit is selected from the drop-down list, all
the equipment items and streams will be selected by default and you will not be
able to deselect any of them. To create a new select list (model fit case), click on
the New button (circled above) and then enter a name for the new list in the
dialog box that will then have opened (see below).
Setting up the
New Model Fit
Case
In this case we will elect to fit the ball mill in isolation as our starting point for
model fitting the items on this flowsheet, so you could enter something like 'Ball
Mill Only' for the name. As a general principal, it is usually best to model fit the
equipment items individually before attempting to carry out model fitting on the
entire circuit. That said, in the case of a closed circuit ball mill configuration, it
is often better to fit the ball mill concurrently with the associated cyclone (see
ball mill model description 361 ). However, since our purpose in this example is
to demonstrate the more normal sequence, we will fit the ball mill first, followed
by the cyclone and finally the whole circuit.
Model Fitting
279
After pressing OK to name the new model fit case, you will be back on the
Simulate window where you can specify the equipment and streams that are to
be included. Here you will find that in addition to the Whole Circuit model fit
case, Ball Mill Only is now an additional option for selection from the dropdown list. If you now select this item, you will see that initially there are no
equipment items or streams selected.
To set up the new model fit case, you should now select Ball Mill from the lefthand panel. After doing this you will find that all of the input and output
streams for the ball mill will be automatically checked in the right-hand stream
selection panel. You can modify this selection if required. However, bear in
mind that the only streams you will have available in the Model Fitting window
when this model fit case is selected, will be the ones have been checked in the
Simulate window.
After setting up the model fit case, you should return to the Model Fitting
window. You do this simply by closing the Simulate window - via the corner
close button (
). If Ball Mill Only was selected when you closed the
Simulate window, then this will also be selected on returning to the Model
Fitting window.
The model fitting window should now look similar to the screen grab below:
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Selecting
Equipment
Items with
Associated
Models and
Showing their
Parameters
We will use the Ball Mill Only case for initial model fitting. However, to
illustrate a point we will now select Whole Circuit again. You will notice that
the parameters appearing in the centre panel list will be appropriate for
whatever equipment item you have clicked on in the equipment selection list at
left. Note that when you click on a grey Equipment cell (or on a Model cell) you
will bring up the list of the appropriate parameters for the selected item of
equipment - you don't have to put a tick in the check-box next to the equipment
item for it to be selected and to see the associated parameters. The check-box is
there simply to provide a means of quickly selecting the appropriate streams in
the Stream Error Selection list. When you place a tick in one of the equipment
item check-boxes, the appropriate streams will also be ticked. The streams that
get selected for error assessment by default will be the product streams from the
selected item of equipment.
You are not bound by this stream selection, but it does represent what would be
the normal choice of streams for use in assessing the veracity of the parameter
values, after each round of simulation. You can remove the tick for instance
from one of the product streams if you don't want the error in the simulated
values for this stream to influence the parameter fitting.
Selecting the
Streams for
Fitting Error
Assessment
Step 3
Select the streams that are to be used for the fitting process.
If you now select Ball Mill from the Equipment Selection frame and place a tick
in its check-box, the program will automatically select the BM Product from the
Stream Error Selection frame. By default this frame should contain all of the
streams associated with the ball mill - the feed plus the water addition.
However, the default selection for stream error assessment will always be just
the product stream (or streams) from the selected item of equipment; in this case
the BM Product.
This means that fitting of the ball mill parameters will take place by minimising
the difference between the simulated values and the experimental values
associated with the BM Product stream.
Selecting
Parameters for
Fitting
Step 4
Next you need to select from the central parameters list, the ones that you intend
to be dealing with for this round of fitting.
As you select each parameter from the top centre selection list, you will see that
the chosen parameters will immediately appear in the Parameter Selection
frame below. By default, each of the parameters that is added into the list in this
frame will have its check-box in the lower frame ticked, which means that it is
selected for fitting. You can however, uncheck these check boxes. If you elect to
do this, the parameter concerned will not be fitted, but the guessed value will be
used as a fixed value for the parameter concerned through each simulation
cycle of the fitting process. If on the other hand you were to de-select this
parameter from the top parameter list, then whatever value has been entered for
the parameter in the equipment model window will be the one used as the fixed
value through each round of simulation.
JKSimMet automatically inserts your initial estimate of the parameter value from
the equipment data window into the Guessed Value column. The Scale Factor is
also automatically set at 10% of the initial estimate. If you wish, these values
can be changed by highlighting the existing value and over-typing it with a new
one.
Model Fitting
Creating
Parameter Lists
281
For each model fit case, a parameter list will automatically be saved and this
will consist of whatever parameters you have chosen while this model fit case
was selected. However, in addition to this first parameter list, you can create
any number of extra parameter lists that you can then return to as required. Any
such lists you create will be automatically saved and they will be specific to that
particular model fit case.
Note that the definition of the parameter lists also includes the specification of
which streams are to be used for the model fitting error assessment.
You should next select Ball Mill Only from the Model Fit Case drop-down and
then select all but the last of the parameters (Knot 4), that are associated with the
ball mill model. Note that the ball mill model is actually set via the equipment
window and in this case the perfect mixing model is the one that has been
selected.
There should now be 3 parameters listed in the lower Parameter Selection table.
Deselect the last of these three (Knot 3) by removing the tick from its check-box.
Then place a value (say 2 for example), into the Guessed Value field for this
parameter. This is not necessarily a realistic number to use for this parameter just an example to illustrate the principal.
Adjust Model
Fit Settings
Step 5
The next step is to adjust the simulation settings for model fitting, if required.
The Settings frame looks like the screen grab below.
The Size Interpolation refers to how data associated with intermediate sizes;
that is sizes other than those actually entered, are to be calculated. The default
setting is Linear, but Spline interpolation may give better results under some
circumstances.
The Starting Condition drop-down is where you select the type of data that are
to be used for the feed to the circuit during each round of the fitting process.
Normally you would start from the experimental data but if you have doubts
about how representative the sample was and if balancing has changed the
values for this sample significantly, then you might want to start from the
balanced values.
Again, for the Error Condition, there is a choice of the data type with which to
compare the simulated values after each round of simulation. Once more the
first choice should probably be to use the experimental data, but if there are
doubts about the samples (in this case the products from the selected circuit),
then balanced data may be a better choice.
The Max Iterations figure here refers the maximum iterations allowed for each
round of simulation during the model fitting sequence. For simulations of a
circuit where there is no circulating load, (as is the case here, where we are
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fitting the ball mill alone), only one or two iterations for each round of
simulation would be needed. The maximum iterations limit only becomes
important when you are fitting a larger circuit where there are one or more
circulating loads. Normally the default limit of 100 will be sufficient, but if your
circuit is having problems converging, then you may need to increase this limit.
Convergence refers to how close the simulated values have to be to whichever
data type has been chosen for the error condition, before the model fitting
process has deemed to have converged. The convergence limit value can
normally be left at the default setting.
Run the Ball
Mill Model Fit
Step 6
Create A
Model Fit Case
for the
Hydrocyclone
Step 7
Leave the default settings in place and press the Start button to run the model
fitting. A summary of the results will be shown in the Model Fitting Results
frame, which is immediately below the Settings frame.
Now that model fitting has been run for the ball mill by itself, you should create
another Model Fit Case, this time for the cyclone (call it Cyclone Only), using the
same procedure as was outlined above. After you have created this, select
Cyclone Only from the Model Fit Case drop-down. On doing so you will see that
there is now an item in the Equipment Data Selection frame (far right), which
was empty when we were fitting the ball mill parameters. This frame has an
item in it because the cyclone is selected and a cyclone is an example of an
equipment item that has an operational characteristic which can be measured
and is also predicted by the model. The characteristic we are talking about here
is the cyclone operating pressure. This means that in the case of a cyclone, the
difference between the measured and simulated cyclone pressure can be used in
the same way as the difference between measured and simulated stream
characteristics, to tune the parameters associated with the cyclone model.
Model Fitting
Run Cyclone
Model Fitting
Step 8
Step 9
283
After selecting the cyclone U/F and O/F streams plus the cyclone operating
pressure for the fitting error comparisons, you can again leave the settings at the
default values and run another fit. A screen grab of the Model Fitting window
after fitting the cyclone is shown below.
Once the ball mill and the cyclone have been fitted separately, you can then run
the fitting process for the whole circuit. A screen grab of the Model Fitting
window after fitting the whole circuit is shown below.
284
7.5.7
JKSimMet V6 Manual
Equipment
Selection
In this case the eight cone crushers have the same model.
The choice of which equipment item to use as the master is not important as
all units will finish with the same parameter values. For this example Test 1 is
Model Fitting
285
the master equipment. The first step is to select the parameters in the master
equipment that you wish to use in the slave equipment. In this example the
parameters K1 - Constant, K1 - CSS(mm), K1 - Feed TPH, K1 - F80(mm), K2 Constant, K2 CSS(mm), T10 - Constant and Pow Prod Fact have been chosen,
as shown below.
Selecting Test 2 in the equipment list and then selecting Test 1 in the Master
drop down control gives the following selection options in the equipment
parameter list:
The user can now select the parameters chosen for fitting in the master
equipment as parameters for the slave equipment, in effect replacing those
parameters in the slave equipment.
As selected above, Test 2 will use the parameters from the master equipment
and none of its own.
Parameter
With the eight parameters already chosen the parameter selection grid will
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selection
The equipment parameters listed are the selected non slave parameters for
each equipment item. The equipment that uses the selected parameter as a
slave parameter is listed in the final column.
Once a piece of equipment has been set as a slave it cannot act as a master to
another equipment item. However, any equipment not set as a slave can be a
master to many other pieces of equipment as shown below where Test 1 is
also the master of Test 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8.
7.5.8
Model Fitting
287
The engineer can also judge the relative success of the fitting by looking at the
stream data windows, with Weighted Error and Percentage Error versions of
the difference between calculated and experimental data being the most useful
indicators. These are displayed by selecting the appropriate item from the
Error drop-down list.
The graph plotting facility of JKSimMet allows the engineer to plot raw and
fitted sizing data on the same graph, as detailed in next section - Presentation
of Model Fitting Results.
The overview facility of JKSimMet allows key experimental and calculated
data for multiple streams to be viewed in a summary table. These overviews
are configurable by the user (see the topic under the JKSimMet Windows
section 157 for details).
7.5.9
Given that model fitting concerns the experimental (raw) data and the predicted
(fitted) data for streams (mainly), the results presentation should display these
two types of data for the streams concerned, in a manner that facilitates easy
comparisons.
The easiest method of printing data for the individual streams is to go to the
relevant stream data window and follow the steps below.
Step 1
Step 2
Left-click on the Copy Grid icon in the top centre portion of the
stream data window to copy the required data.
Step 3
Open Excel, select an appropriate position for the top left corner of
the data grid to be pasted and then press the Paste button to insert
the data.
Step 4
Repeat Steps 1 to 3 for all the other streams whose data you want to
print.
These steps also apply to any other window that contains data you would like
to print, such as equipment data. In this case you would double-click on the
equipment item rather than on a stream to open the appropriate window.
Once these data have been inserted into an Excel spreadsheet, just use the Excel
facilities for setting out and printing a report.
The
Configurable
Stream
Overview
Window
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213
The Reporting
Feature
The Reporting feature provides a means of printing both stream and equipment
data. The user can configure the report to show experimental and fitted data,
SDs and errors for any streams. (See the section Using the Reporting Feature 226
for more information on the this feature).
Plotting
Graphs of the
Model Fitting
Results
The graphs presenting model fitting results are once again, of stream data. They
involve experimental (raw) data, and predicted (fitted) data. The graphs are
configured on the Configurable Graphing window, which is opened by pressing
).
Step 1
Step 2
For this exercise, you will create a new graph so click on the New
button (circled in screen grab below). Note that the default setting for
the graphing facility will normally have some data pre-selected, so at
this point you can either adjust the settings for this graph or else
create a new one.
Step 3
When you click on the New button, a dialog will open where you
can type in a name for your graph and also specify the type of graph
you require. For the type there are only the two options; Equipment
or Stream. In this case we will create a graph showing the new feed
plus the cyclone products.
Step 4
Move the cursor to the top row (where the row heading is Stream).
Model Fitting
289
When you click on this cell, (which should initially contain the word
"None"), a drop-down list will appear with all the available streams
from your flowsheet. Select Cyclone Feed from this drop-down.
Once you have selected the stream, you will find that all of the
previously grey cells below the stream selection cell will now be
white and editable. In fact they all contain drop-down lists through
which you can select the type of data to be plotted and also set up
the characteristics of the display for this data set.
Step 5
Select Cum% Passing from the drop-down list in the Format cell,
immediately below the cell for stream selection. Leave the Display
cell on the default of Show. The option of Hide is available to provide
you with the ability to temporarily remove any of the data sets you
have configured for plotting on the current graph.
Step 6
The cell in the Data row allows you to select individual data types or
combinations of data types. Select Exp & Fit from the drop-down list
to compare your fitted results with the experimental data.
Step 7
Step 8
You can then select Cyc U/F for the next column and Cyc O/F for the
third column.
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Step 9
Note that when you have multiple columns set up, you can set all
the Format and Data fields to the same values using the drop-down
lists immediately above the tabulated data.
Step 10
Once the columns of the grid have been set up, you can view the
graph by simply switching from the Stream tab to the Graph tab.
Model Fitting
291
Skill versus
Practice
Model fitting is not a cut and dried procedure. The only way to acquire a
useful skill level is to practice on a wide range of real data. JKSimMet offers a
user-friendly environment for what are really very complex and powerful
mathematical techniques.
Initial Parameter
Estimates
Graphical
Analysis
The graph capability of JKSimMet is the most powerful way to examine your
data fit. Discontinuities in size distributions highlight poor data or a change
in measurement technique. Graphical analysis also highlights any bias in the
data fit.
Different Size
Measurement
Techniques
No Apparent
Progress
Data
Note that it is necessary to have as much feed and product data as possible for
each of the unit Models to be tuned. Simulation requires only feed data, but
fitting must have some product data as well.
Even when you have the necessary data to perform model fitting, it is essential
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to ensure that there are enough readings to be useful for fitting; in general
terms, the more data the better.
SDs and
Emphasis
The SD settings in the stream data window may be set so that they can cause
such an over-emphasis on one parameter that the potential of the fitting is
compromised. Always try to make the SDs as good an estimate as possible.
Scale Factors
The Scale Factor in the Parameters section of the Model-Fit window can also
be a source of problems. If the scale factor is too big the fitting may stop,
because any adjustment in the parameter produces such a large change that it
steps over the minimum of the sum of squares. On the other hand, however, if
the scale factor is too small, the fitting may stop because any adjustment
produces a change of so small a scale as to be judged insignificant, even
though you may not be close to a minimum point. So, be very careful with
scale factors. As a guide, perhaps a scale factor one-tenth of the magnitude of
the parameter estimate would be a reasonable place to start.
Parameter
Problems
The last chapter 294 contains model descriptions, default values and a section
on fitting for each specific model. The comments contained in these sections
may help to overcome any misunderstandings or other problems you may
have with the model parameters.
Large Weighted
Errors
Examine the weighted errors carefully. These often indicate suspicious data
points. A typical example is a screen top size that contains several times the
predicted weight, because the laboratory screen stack did not extend to a large
enough top size. Set the error to missing for this fraction to fix the problem.
Knot Positions
Where spline functions are used, the knot values can usually be fitted, but not
the knot positions.
These models provide a fairly smooth response because of the use of spline
functions. A simple guide to knot positioning is that knots should be selected
wherever a bend is needed. After all, the spline function is a mathematical
model of a draftsmans spline curve - a thin strip of steel with screw positions
which are equivalent to spline knots.
7.5.11 References
GY, P.M., 1982. Sampling of Particulate Materials: Theory and Practice, 2nd
Ed. Elsevier, Amsterdam.
LYMAN, G.J., 1986. Application of Gy's Sampling Theory to Coal,
International Journal of Mineral Processing, 17, pp 122.
LYNCH, A.J., 1977. Mineral Crushing and Grinding Circuits, (Elsevier,
Amsterdam).
NAPIER-MUNN, T.J., MORRELL, S., MORRISON, R.D., & KOJOVIC, T. 1996.
Mineral Comminution Circuits Their Operation and Optimisation. JKMRC
Monograph Series in Mining and Mineral Processing 2. Series Editor T.J.
Napier-Munn, Julius Kruttschnitt Mineral Research Centre, University of
Queensland.
Part
VIII
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Model Descriptions
In this chapter, details are provided for all of the models that are available in
JKSimMet. The models are grouped and described under the major plant
section headings.
This chapter contains:
Any relevant references where the user could go for further information
8.1
General Models
General Models
This topic contains a description of all the general process models available in
JKSimMet that do not fit in one of the more specific process type category
headings below.
The splitter models described here provide splitters of varying complexity,
from a simple mass split into two products (810) or into three products (870),
independent mass splits of solids and water (811) and a split generating a
specific volume flow rate to one of the products (812).
8.1.1
The ore feeder (called Feed) is a specialized piece of equipment that has a
single product. The feed unit allows you to set up the flowsheet ore SG and the
starting size distribution.
The size markers, i.e. the percent passing a particular size and the size at a
particular percent passing, can be set by double clicking on those fields in the
Totals tab. Note that while the flowsheet properties dialog allows you to set
global properties for Data Information blocks and for the tools such as
Simulation and Model Fit, these properties for the feeder and ports may be set
at different values for each.
Model Descriptions
8.1.2
8.1.2.1
295
8.1.2.2
The Water Feeder Required % Solids Standard model is used when water is
to be added so that the stream percent solids feeding a piece of equipment
equals that specified by the user.
This option allows the user to set a maximum % solids for the total feed to the
connected equipment.
If the feed % solids is higher than the "Required % Solids" then the liquid
feeder adds additional liquid to achieve the required % solids.
If the % solids value is already lower than required, the liquid feeder adds no
liquid. It does NOT remove liquid to achieve the required value.
Double click on the appropriate field in the table and type in the required value
for the parameter:
such that the percent solids of the combined streams flowing into the
equipment to which the water is added, equals that specified by the user. The
other values in the table are also calculated by JKSimMet during simulation
and relate to the combined stream that flows into the equipment:
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Volume (m3/h)
The Water Feeder Water Addition Standard model is used when a user
defined volume of water is to be added.
Liquid Addition is the recommended mode for common use. The user specifies
the required liquid addition rate in cubic metres per hour.
This option has two more uses. The experimental liquid addition may be used
as a parameter in model fitting. That is, a model fit may use liquid addition as a
parameter when liquid flows were not measured or the measurement was
dubious. The "exp Liquid Addition" is subject to optional update after the model
fit, as are all other parameters.
Note that % solids or water flow from the circuit should be constrained by a
small SD value to provide a constraint on total water addition.
The third use of this option is for mass balancing of liquid additions.
The user provides the "exp New Liquid Addition" and an SD estimate for this
model. The other requirement is that the Liquid Feeder and Liquid are selected
on the Select Tab of the Mass Balance Tool.
The balanced liquid addition is returned to the Calc* field of the Liquid Feeder.
If you wish to use this value for fitting or simulation, copy it into the appropriate
Exp value.
Model Data
General Models
Double click on the appropriate field in the table and type in the required value
Version 6.0.1 - March 2014
Model Descriptions
Input
297
The other values in the table are calculated by JKSimMet during simulation and
relate to the combined stream that flows into the equipment unit to which the
water is added:
Volume (m3/h)
A typical Water Addition tab for the Water Feeder is shown below.
Model Limitations
Two Water Feeders with the Required % Solids Standard model selected
cannot be used to add water to a single water addition point on a flowsheet.
This is because the Required % Solids model calculates the volumetric flow of
water to be added by taking into account the percent solids of all of the streams
that combine to flow into the equipment to which the water is added. If there
are two Water Feeders with the Required % Solids model adding water to one
equipment item, the amount of water added by each water feeder to obtain the
required percent solids of the combined equipment feed cannot be calculated.
8.1.2.5
References
No relevant references.
General Models
298
8.1.3
JKSimMet V6 Manual
8.1.3.1
This topic contains a description of the Hydrocyclone models 200 and 201.
Desciption
The model is based on the concept of a reduced efficiency curve, which in turn
is developed from the actual efficiency curve and the corrected efficiency curve
for the classifier treating a particular ore. The important concept is that the
reduced efficiency curve is a characteristic function of an ore and is
independent of the dimension or operating conditions of the cyclone. A
typical set of efficiency curves for a cyclone is shown in the first figure 298 of
the next section.
The model consists of a series of equations which are described below. At
least one cyclone test on a particular ore is required to provide data for the
calculation of constants in the equations.
8.1.3.2
Equations
The model consists of a series of equations, which are described below.
Pressure Throughput
Relationship
)0.5 (Do/Dc)0.68
(M200.1)
where
KQ2 = KQ1 (Di/Dc)0.45 ( )-0.1 (Lc/Dc)0.2
(M200.2)
The proportionality constant, KQ1 , is a function of the feed material and the
diameter of the cyclone. For cyclones of Krebs design, treating identical feed
solids, the dependence on cyclone diameter may be empirically represented by
the equation
KQ1 = KQ0 Dc-0.1
(M200.3)
where KQ0 depends on feed solids characteristics (eg. specific gravity) only.
Classification
Size
Relationship
For normal industrial operation, the classification size can be related to the
variables according to the equation
d50c/Dc = KD2 (Do/Dc)0.52 (Du/Dc)-0.47
0.93
(P/{
g Dc})-0.22
(M20
0.4)
(M200
.5)
General Models
(M200
Model Descriptions
299
.6)
KD0 depends on feed solids characteristics only (such as size distribution and
specific gravity).
(Note that the classification sizes for specific minerals within the feed stream
can be estimated using the following formula:
where FeedSG is the mean feed solids density, d50c is the overall corrected d50 ,
MineralSG is the density of the specific mineral of interest, and d50c(m) is the
corrected d50 of the mineral of interest.)
Recovery to
Underflow
Relationships
Water recovery (Rf) and volume pulp recovery (Rv) to underflow are related to
the major variables by:
Rf = Kw2 (Do/Dc)-1.19 (Du/Dc)2.40 (P/{
g Dc})-0.53 ( )0.27
(M200.7)
g Dc})-0.31
(M200.8)
and
Rv= Kv2 (Do/Dc)-0.94 (Du/Dc)1.83 (P/{
Further, the effects of inlet diameter, cone angle and cylinder length have been
evaluated as
Kw2 = Kw1 (Di /Dc)-0.50 ( )-0.24 (Lc/Dc)0.22
(M200.9)
and
Kv2 = Kv1 (Di/Dc)-0.25 ( )-0.24 (Lc/Dc)0.22
(M200.10
)
Here Kw1 and Kv1 are constants also depending on feed solids characteristics.
The current data indicate that Kw1 and Kv1 are independent of cyclone
diameter for geometrically similar cyclones treating identical feed solids.
Small quantities of viscosity modifiers such as clay, can have a marked effect
on these variables.
Efficiency Curve
Relationship
(M200.
11)
(M200.12)
and
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Eo.(1) = C/2
(M200.13)
and
Interactions
Scaling
Facilities for scaling the operation of the hydrocyclone are built into the
model.
General Models
Model Descriptions
301
Symbols
Symbols
Symbol
Meaning
reduced efficiency curve sharpness parameter
reduced efficiency curve hook parameter
Dc
cyclone diameter, m
General Models
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Di
Do
Du
Eo (d)
gravitational acceleration
KD
KQ
Kv
Kw
Lc
Rf
Rv
d 50c
Cv
Cv
8.1.3.4
Restrictions
Restrictions
As the feed becomes coarser, d50c tends to decrease even when all the other
variables are kept constant. The effect of size distribution of the feed
material becomes insignificant when the feed consists of mainly 53 mm
particles, and also when the proportion of 53 mm particles is less than
25% of the feed solids.
The analytical form used does not provide a perfect representation for the
reduced efficiency curve. As a result the model often tends to predict fewer
coarse particles in the overflow than occur in real operation, however, the
magnitude of the error is considered to be small.
Viscosity variations due to changes in pulp density are largely accounted
for by the model. Viscosity variations caused by variable quantities of
slimes affect the parameters in quite a systematic way.
As viscosity (or slimes fraction) increases, the cut size becomes coarser, the
water split to overflow is reduced, and the cyclone pressure drop becomes
larger. However, the reduced efficiency curve remains relatively constant
until the onset of roping.
General Models
Model Descriptions
303
value
o water split and pressure drop are relatively unaffected although a small
drop in pressure is often claimed. This may result from a reduced
volume of solids to overflow.
The onset of cyclone roping is difficult to predict. In general 50% solids by
volume is a practical underflow limit. However, very coarse underflow may
achieve higher density and finer ones somewhat lower density as detailed
below.
JKSimMet will warn you that roping is likely if either of the density limits
(detailed below) are exceeded.
Cyclone Roping
Constraint
If the cyclone feed density is less than 35% solids by volume, the SPOC
constraint (Laguitton 1985) is claimed to predict onset of roping.
Vol % solids in U/F = Limiting Vol % solids (~56) + 0.2 (Vol % Solids in Feed 20)
The limiting % solids is defined as the onset of roping at a volumetric feed
density of 20%.
In tabular form:
Table M200.1 - Cyclone Roping Conditions
at sg 2.7
Feed
Density
Empirical
Constraint
Underflo
w Density
Feed
Density
at sg 4.0
Underflo
w Density
Feed
Density
Underflow
Density
% by Volume
% by Weight
% by Weight
53
12.4
75.3
17.4
81.8
10
54
23.1
76.0
30.8
82.4
15
55
32.3
76.7
41.4
83.0
20
56
40.3
77.5
50.0
83.6
25
57
47.4
78.2
57.1
84.1
30
58
53.6
78.8
63.1
84.7
35
59
59.2
79.5
68.3
85.2
General Models
304
JKSimMet V6 Manual
Underflow
% Solids
% Solids
% Solids by Vol.
50% passing
(mm)
at sg 2.7
at sg 4.0
35.2
50
59.4
68.5
39.0
60
63.3
71.9
45.9
80
69.6
77.2
50.5
100
73.4
80.3
53.9
120
75.9
82.4
58.6
170
79.3
85.0
60.0
200
80.2
85.7
61.3
250
81.0
86.4
The two effects are probably competitive to some degree. Further, each
operation has a 'comfort limit' on cyclone underflow density which may be a
good deal lower than the above limits.
General Models
Model Descriptions
8.1.3.5
305
Printouts
Nageswararao
(Model 200)
8.1.3.6
Summary
Summary of the
Effects of
Variables on
Cyclone
Operation
50c
R
f
R
v
Dc
increase (0.57)
increase (0.82)
decrease (-0.4)
decrease (-0.55)
Di
increase (0.45)
decrease (0.5)
decrease (-0.5)
decrease (-0.25)
General Models
306
JKSimMet V6 Manual
Do
increase (0.68)
increase (0.52)
decrease (-1/19)
decrease (-0.94)
Du
decrease (-0.47)
increase (2.4)
increase (1.83)
Lc
increase (0.2)
increase (0.2)
increase (0.22)
increase (0.22)
increase (0.5)
decrease (-0.22)
decrease (-0.53)
decrease (-0.31)
increase (0.93)
increase (0.27)
decrease (-0.5)
increase (0.22)
increase (0.53)
increase (0.31)
decrease (-0.1)
increase (0.15)
decrease (-0.24)
decrease (-0.24)
Note: The numbers listed in brackets are exponents for dependence of the
parameter on the variable.
Examples of the effects of and on reduced efficiency curves are given in the
figures in the Model Equations 298 topic. The * parameters used in the model
are calculated.
8.1.3.7
Pressure Data
If you wish to predict cyclone pressure accurately at other conditions you will
need at least one accurate pressure measurement and a set of at least two out
of three of the feed, underflow and overflow samples.
If pressure data are not available, an approximate pressure can be estimated
from the manufacturers published data.
The calculated pressure is used in the equations for classification size and
recovery to underflow. Hence, the cyclone pressure is an important
measurement.
The measured or assumed pressure data must be entered on the Performance
Data tab of the cyclone equipment data window. If an accuracy estimate is
available, use it to calculate the standard deviation. If not, use 10% of the
pressure value.
The capacity constant KQO can be calculated from the cyclone flow rate and
the cyclone dimensions. (Refer to equations M200.1-M200.3).
Typical values of KQO are in the range 300-600. The scale factor for fitting
should be 100.
To make the pressure observation available to the fitting calculation, it must
be selected with a tick on the Equipment Data tab of the Model Fit dialogue
window
Classification
Size (KDO)
General Models
Equations M200.4 to M200.6 define the cut size. KDO is typically a small
number - say 0.001 to .00001. Therefore, a scale factor of 0.0001 is usually
suitable.
Model Descriptions
Water Split % to
O/F (Cal WS)
307
The actual water split to overflow (Cal WS) is fitted rather than the two
parameters, KV1 and KW1 , which are defined by a single water split.
When model fitting a single set of cyclone data, ALWAYS fit Cal WS. A good
starting point is 50% with a scale factor of 5.
After fitting, the calculated values of KV1 and KW1 are displayed on the
cyclone equipment data window (Model Parameters tab).
Efficiency Curve
( and )
The reduced efficiency curve is an "S" shaped function as shown in the figure
in the Model Equations 298 topic.
Typical values of range from 0.5 to 4. Beyond 5, the efficiency curves become
very sharp and larger numbers are not significant. A good initial estimate is
2.0.
The factor modifies the "S" curve to add an additional "hook" - or a negative
portion to the actual efficiency curve. A typical value is zero. However, a
poor fit at fine sizes can be tested by trying values of of 0.01 to 0.5. Fitting of
is available but not recommended. A scale factor of 0.1 is suitable once a
good initial estimate has been found by trial.
If the efficiency curve is a poor fit at coarse sizes, try the alternative fines
modified or spline efficiency curve models.
Master/Slave
Fitting
and Cal WS for each data set independently, and determine the
average values of KV1 and KW1 for each cyclone data set from the fit. Use the
average values of KV1 and KW1 in each cyclone data set. Use Master/Slave to
fit KD0 , KQ0 ,
8.1.3.8
The comments in the topic above apply equally to Model 201 except for the
Efficiency Curve parameters a and b which are replaced by Eff @ 0.33 (of d50c)
and Eff @ 0.66 (of d50c).
Typical values are 0.85 and 0.65 respectively.
8.1.3.9
References
DE KOOK, S.K., 1956, Symposium on recent developments in the use of
hydrocyclones - a review J. Chem. Metal. Min. Soc. S.Afr., Vol.
56:281-294.
KAVETSKY, A., 1979. Hydrocyclone modelling and scaling. JKMRC report to
AMIRA, November.
General Models
308
JKSimMet V6 Manual
KELSALL, D.F., 1953. A further study of the hydraulic cyclone. Chem. Eng.,
Sci., Vol. 2:254-273.
LAGUITTON, D. (Ed), 1985. The SPOC Manual Simulated Processing of Ore
and Coal, CANMET EMR Canada, Ch. 5.1 (Part B).
LYNCH, A.J. 1965. The characteristics of hydrocyclones and their application
as control units in comminution circuits, AMIRA Progress Report
No. 6, University of Queensland (unpublished).
LYNCH, A.J. and RAO, T.C., 1965.
Digital computer simulation of
comminution systems. Proc. 8th Comm. Min. Metall. Congr., Aust.,
N.Z., Vol. 6:597-606.
NAGESWARARAO, K., 1978. Further developments in the modelling and
scale-up of industrial hydrocyclones. Ph.D. Thesis (unpublished).
University of Queensland.
PLITT, L.R., FLINTOFF, B.C. and STUFFCO T.J., 1987.
Roping in
hydrocyclones. 3rd International Conference on Hydrocyclones,
Oxford England, Elseveir, pp21-23.
YOSHIOKA, N. and HOTTA, Y., 1955. Liquid cyclone as a hydraulic
classifier. Chem. Eng. Jpn., Vol. 19:632-640.
8.1.4
8.1.4.1
Description
Like the Nageswararao model, the Narasimha-Mainza model is based on the
concept of a reduced efficiency curve, which in turn is developed from the actual
efficiency curve and the corrected efficiency curve for the classifier treating a
particular ore.
The model consists of a series of equations which are described below. At least
one cyclone test on a particular ore is required to provide data for the
calculation of constants in the equations.
The form of the equations was given by Narasimha (2009). The exponents differ
slightly from those reported in his thesis, as the model has since been refitted
with a larger data set.
8.1.4.2
Equations
The model consists of a series of equations which are described below.
Pressure Throughput
Relationship
General Models
Model Descriptions
309
(
M
2
2
1
.
1
)
where
(M221.1)
Classification
Size
Relationship
For normal industrial operation, the classification size can be related to the
variables according to the equation
(M22
1.3)
where:
and:
(M22
1.4)
(M22
1.5)
General Models
310
JKSimMet V6 Manual
Recovery to
Underflow
Relationships
where:
and:
(
M
2
2
1
.
7
)
(
M
2
2
1
.
8
)
Efficiency Curve
Relationship
The efficiency curve used in this model is identical to that used in the
Nageswararao model
( equations M200.11, M200.12 and M200.13), but with the
General Models
given by:
Model Descriptions
311
(
M
2
2
1
.
9
)
8.1.4.3
Symbols
Symbols
Symbol
Meaning
reduced efficiency curve sharpness parameter
reduced efficiency curve hook parameter
d 50c
Dc
cyclone diameter, m
Di
Do
Du
Eo (d)
f38
gravitational acceleration
Kd0
KQ0
K 0
constant in the
Kw0
Lc
relationship
General Models
312
JKSimMet V6 Manual
Re
Reynolds Number
f
p
s
R
Vi
8.1.4.4
inlet velocity
Printout
NarashimaMainza
(Model 221)
General Models
Model Descriptions
8.1.4.5
313
Restrictions
Restrictions
tends to
50c
decrease even when all the other variables are kept constant. The effect of size
distribution of the feed material becomes insignificant when the feed
consists of mainly 53 mm particles, and also when the proportion of 53 mm
particles is less than 25% of the feed solids.
For the Narasimha/Mainza model, it is not known if this effect exists.
However, it is likely that there is still a feed size effect on d
.
50c
The analytic form used does not provide a perfect representation for the
reduced efficiency curve. As a result the model often tends to predict fewer
coarse particles in the overflow than occur in real operation, however, the
magnitude of the error is considered to be small.
Viscosity variations due to changes in pulp density are largely accounted
for by the model. Viscosity variations caused by variable quantities of
slimes are also accounted for by the model.
The model may be used to estimate operation during roping:
Cyclone
Roping
Constraint
at sg 4.0
General Models
314
JKSimMet V6 Manual
Feed
Den
sity
Underf
low
Densit
y
% by Volume
Empirical
Constraint
Feed
Densit
y
Underfl
ow
Density
% by Weight
Feed
Densit
y
Underf
low
Densit
y
% by Weight
53
12.4
75.3
17.4
81.8
10
54
23.1
76.0
30.8
82.4
15
55
32.3
76.7
41.4
83.0
20
56
40.3
77.5
50.0
83.6
25
57
47.4
78.2
57.1
84.1
30
58
53.6
78.8
63.1
84.7
35
59
59.2
79.5
68.3
85.2
The two effects are probably competitive to some degree. Further, each
operation has a 'comfort limit' on cyclone underflow density which may be a
good deal lower than the above limits.
General Models
Model Descriptions
Co
mp
aris
on
wit
h
Na
ges
wa
rar
ao
8.1.4.6
315
Summary
Summa
ry of the
effects
of
variable
s
on
cyclone
operatio
n
Examples of the effects of a and b on reduced efficiency curves are given in the
attached Figures A2.1 and A2.2. The b* parameters used in the model are
calculated.
8.1.4.7
General Models
316
JKSimMet V6 Manual
Pressure Data
If you wish to predict cyclone pressure accurately at other conditions you will
need at least one accurate pressure measurement and a set of at least two out
of three of the feed, underflow and overflow samples.
If pressure data are not available, an approximate pressure can be estimated
from the manufacturers published data.
The measured or assumed pressure data must be entered on the Performance
Data tab of the cyclone equipment data window. If an accuracy estimate is
available, use it to calculate the standard deviation. If not, use 10% of the
pressure value.
The capacity constant K
can be calculated from the cyclone flowrate and the
Q0
cyclone dimensions. (Refer to equations A2.14-A2.15).
Typical values of K
are in the range 100 - 600. The scale factor for fitting
Q0
should be 100.
To make the pressure observation available to the fitting calculation, it must be
selected with a tick on the Equipment Data tab of the Model Fit dialog window
Classification
Size (KDO)
Equations A2.16 to A2.18 define the cut size. KDO is typically a small number
Water Split % to
U/F (KW0 )
Efficiency Curve
( and )
The reduced efficiency curve is an "S" shaped function as shown in the figure
M200.1.
General Models
Model Descriptions
8.1.4.8
317
References
8.1.5.1
This topic contains a description of the Kavetsky Single Deck Screen model.
General Models
318
JKSimMet V6 Manual
the region describing the below but near aperture size material in which the
probability of passing through the aperture is directly dependent on particle
size (region B),
the region describing the ultra-fines that adhere to the coarse particles (region
C).
Region B of the efficiency curve is the important region for modelling purposes,
and it can be described by the equation (Whiten and White 1977).
E(x) = exp[-TRN.fo.(1-x/d)k]
(A3.1)
where E(x) is the fraction of particles in the feed of size x which enter the coarse
product, d is the screen aperture; fo the fraction open area, TRN is the efficiency
parameter and k is a minor parameter used for precise fitting purposes.
Typically, the value of k is about 2. The performance of the screen in region C
can only be determined experimentally since it will be dependent on local
conditions such as the moisture content of the ore which causes small particles
to adhere to large particles. For design purposes it is necessary to make a
reasonable assumption about the shape of the curve in region C and this
assumption is made by the design engineer based on knowledge of local
conditions.
The typical dependence of the efficiency parameter, TRN, which is analogous to
the number of trials, on the feed rate is shown in the figure below for different
materials used for the screen deck.
The dependence of the screen efficiency parameters on the feed rate for
rubber and steel decks
The explanation of the above figure is that when the feed rate to screens with
rubber decks is low the particles move independently, accumulate energy, take
large bounces and have little opportunity to pass through the screen aperture.
An increase in feed rate causes an increase in inter-particle collisions, reduction
in particle energy and bounce lengths, and an increase in number of trials.
Hence, the screen efficiency increases. A further increase in feed rate causes
more particle interference, a decrease in the number of trials due to particles not
General Models
Model Descriptions
319
317
318
(A3.2)
where
P = fo*((1-fs) (1 - x/d)2 + fs*(1 - x/d))T
(A3.3)
and
fs = 1 - (W/L)
(A3.4)
In region A
E(x) = 1.0
(A3.5)
(A3.6)
FW < FW1
Ln(TRN) = C + D * FW + U * P1 + V * P2
(A3.7)
(A3.8)
and
Ln(TRN) = C + D * FW2 + U * P1 + V * P2
(A3.9)
FW > FW2
SF is also related to operating parameters by a regression equation
SF = E + F * PSF + G * TSF
Fines Factor
(A3.10)
The fines factor is used to describe the "piggyback" effect of fines on coarse
General Models
320
JKSimMet V6 Manual
material.
The material coarser than the "fines critical size" is considered in terms of its
notional surface area.
and SF* Area is the t/h of fines which are carried into the oversize product.
Moisture
Behaviour
For damp ores, the behaviour of moisture can be very important. There are
sometimes several kinds of moisture. The only one of interest to this model is
in the fines, that is, fractions finer than the "Moisture Split Critical Size XM".
All of the feed moisture is assumed to be carried in material finer than this
size. It is then allocated across the coarse and fine products in proportion
with how the material finer than XM is allocated.
Scaling
The model allows scaling of screen length by linear scaling of the number of
trials parameter, TRN.
Scaling of screen width is accomplished within the normal model structure as
FW is feed rate per unit width.
Aperture, fraction open area and slot shape are also included as normal
model parameters.
General Models
Model Descriptions
321
8.1.5.1.4 Symbols
Symbol
Meaning
xi
E(x)
X1, X2
X3
X4
TRN
fo
width of apertures
length of apertures
fs
maximum size of particle than can pass through the screen, ie.
General Models
322
JKSimMet V6 Manual
aperture size
FW
P1
P2
SF
submesh factor
PSF
TSF
XF
XM
Regression constant
Regression constant
Regression constant
Regression constant
Regression constant
Regression constant
Regression constant
Regression constant
Regression constant
Accurate application of the screen model requires data from the screen to be
simulated for parameter fitting. For simulation of screens for which data are
not available, data for a similar screen type with similar feed may be used.
using data from operations with markedly different screens or feeds will not
provide useful results.
The same square root of two series of screen sizes should be used for both
fitting and simulation.
The regression equations of the screen model make it quite complex and more
difficult to handle than most JKSimMet models.
For most processing plants only the tonnage dependence is required. That is
the values of U and V can be left at zero. For wire mesh screens often equation
A3.5 is adequate on its own.
Where there are large variations in the fitted submesh factor (SF) try the
dependencies of equation A3.9 as detailed in Sub Mesh Factor Modelling.
However, a constant SF is often adequate.
In a situation where you really want to tune a screen and are prepared to
collect a lot of accurate data, contact JKTech for assistance with the parameter
and regression fitting.
8.1.5.1.6 Parameter Fitting the Screen Model
Parameter Menu
General Models
Model Descriptions
323
Ap Length
Ap Width
OA %
A int (TRN)
B*FW (TRN)
D*FW (TRN)
U*P1 (TRN)
U*P2 (TRN)
E int (FF)
F*PSF (FF)
G*PSF (FF)
XF
XM
The basic concept of a number of trials is quite simple. However, the extensive
correction factors and sectionalised curves make this quite a difficult model to
fit.
The model fitting program can process only one set of flowsheet data at a time.
However, one flowsheet may contain many measured sets of screen data.
Clearly, the flow rate and near size dependencies require several sets of data
to define the screen efficiency v feed rate curves 318 .
To describe any particular set of screen data, only a number of trials TRN
(parameter 22) and a submesh factor SF (parameter 23) need to be found.
Good initial estimates for these parameters are 5 and 0.1 respectively.
However, both TRN and SF are calculated variables in this model. Therefore,
we need to fit them as regression parameter A (Ln TRN) and regression
parameter E with FW1 set to a larger value than any anticipated screen feed
rates per unit of width and with B, V, U, D, F and G all set to zero.
Master/Slave
Fitting
Aperture Length
and Width
Where screen data do not provide precise aperture and wire dimensions, the
screen aperture can be fitted to the data.
Note that for slotted screens, effective aperture length depends on the shape of
the particle because the size data are measured using square mesh screens.
Selection of Feed
Size Parameters
X1 to X4
General Models
324
JKSimMet V6 Manual
carryover.
Traditional screen design techniques relate a different fines factor to half of
the screen aperture. You can use X3 set to half the screen aperture to
approximate this dependence if there are large variations in fines in the feed.
Similarly, a traditional approach would use a near size dependence of
aperture size to half aperture size and X1-X2 can be set to estimate this
dependence.
8.1.5.1.7 Regression Model Parameters
Trials versus
Feedrate
Critical Size
Dependencies
If your Trials (TRN) versus feedrate data are erratic and your data are a good
fit (less than 2 stream SD with Whiten weights), then it is worth trying P1 and
P2 dependencies.
Use a multiple linear regression program to fit ln (TRN) against feedrate, P1
and P2 and divide into separate data sets using your estimates of FW1 and
FW2.
You can impose the continuity constraint by correcting equations 6 and 8
ln(TRN) values by equation 7.
If you have a constrained non-linear fitting program which can handle
multiple equations, you can fit FW1 and FW2 as well. However, you will
need lots of good data.
Submesh Factor
Modelling
This is the other important dependence. For many operations, SF is small and
more or less constant. However, for operations with damp ore, it can be
crucial to a good model.
Once again, plot your best fit SF values against the calculated PSF and TSF
values from the parameter screens and draw a linear regression line against
any one variable. Print out the graph with a fine grid for this slope (for G) and
the intercept E. points.
Running the
Screen Model
Input your estimated values back into the screen menu and import to each of
your data sets. Try a simulation and check agreement on product streams.
Expect to make errors in this procedure the first few times.
Master/Slave
Fitting
General Models
Model Descriptions
325
Hint : Only the undersize and a flowrate is needed for a full screen fit.
8.1.5.1.8 References
WHITEN, W.J. and WHITE, M.E., 1977. Modelling and simulation of high
tonnage crushing plants, XII International Mineral Processing Congress,
Brazil, Volume II, 148-158.
WHITEN, W.J., 1984. Models and control techniques for crushing plants,
Control 84, Mineral/Metallurgical Processing, (Editor, J A Herbst), Publishers
- AIME, New York, 217-225.
8.1.5.2
8.1.6
8.1.6.1
These models (210, 211, 203) use simple efficiency curves to describe the
operation of any classification device. For the filter model (240), the user
simply sets the U/F pulp density and the model redirects all the remaining
water out in the effluent stream.
8.1.6.1.1 Model_Description
The model is simply an efficiency curve with a fixed d50c and a fixed water
split to fine product. Refer to the figures in the Hydrocyclone model
description 298 for efficiency curve shapes. A typical DSM screen has an
value of 4 and a value of zero.
The model can be used to approximate many classifiers. Therefore the default
parameter values should be used with caution.
8.1.6.1.2 Model Equations
Efficiency Curve
Relationship
General Models
326
JKSimMet V6 Manual
Parameter Menu
This is a simple model to fit as it has no scaling capabilities. Fit the water
split, alpha and d50c. See the comments regarding fitting Beta in the cyclone
model description 306 .
For DSM Screens, initial estimates of 4 for alpha and 50% for the water split
should be adequate for most data sets. An initial d50c estimate of half of the
actual screen aperture is appropriate
8.1.6.1.4 Simple Efficiency Curve Printout
8.1.6.2
This topic contains a description of the Simple Efficiency Curve - Water &
Fines model.
The model is also an efficiency curve with a fixed d50c as described above for
Model 210 with the added feature of allowing the fines and water splits to be
different.
General Models
Model Descriptions
327
Efficiency Curve
Relationship
The efficiency curve used in this model is the same as that described in A4.2.2
above except that C (fractional water split to fine product) is replaced in the
equations with a separate parameter F (fractional split of fines to fine
product):
Eo.(d/d50c) = F(1+( . *.d/d50c)) (exp() - 1) / (exp(*d/d50c) + exp( ) - 2)
When
Parameter Menu
This also is a simple model to fit as it has no scaling capabilities. Fit the water
split, the fines split, alpha and d50c. See the comments regarding fitting Beta
in the cyclone model description 306 .
General Models
328
JKSimMet V6 Manual
8.1.6.3
The model is also a simply an efficiency curve but the analytic form of the
curve used in Models 210 and 211 is replaced by a four knot spline curve.
8.1.6.3.2 Splined Efficiency Curve (Model 203) Equations
Efficiency Curve
Relationship
Scaling
Parameter Menu
This also is a simple model to fit as it has no scaling capabilities. Fit the water
split and the four efficiency values at the knots on the spline curve. It is
important to remember to set the size values for the knots before attempting
model fitting.
Even though it seems incorrect, it is possible for the fitted efficiency values to
be greater than 1 or less than 0. Sometimes, model fitting arrives at values at
the ends of the curve which are outside the 0 1 range in order to achieve the
best shape for the curve inside the 0 1 range. This is due to the properties of
General Models
Model Descriptions
329
the spline curve for which the values at the ends of the curve have an effect on
the shape of the curve in the centre region.
The simulation model code truncates the efficiency values to be less than 1
and greater than 0.
The combination of these two features, control of the shape of the centre of the
curve and truncation at 0 and 1 ensures that the model predictions are
sensible.
8.1.6.3.4 Splined Efficiency Curve (Model 203) Printout
Symbol
Meaning
Equivalent JKSimMet
Parameter
Alpha
Beta
Beta*
WS%Fines
FI%Fines
D50c
d50c
Range of Validity
The highly simplified form of these models means that extrapolation away
from the conditions at which the parameters were determined will
significantly decrease the accuracy. If a wide range of data is available, it may
be possible to use Model 251 330 which has a variable cut point.
General Models
330
8.1.6.4
JKSimMet V6 Manual
References
LYNCH, A. J., 1977, Mineral crushing and grinding circuits, (Elsevier,
Amsterdam), pp 124-126.
8.1.7
8.1.7.1
Model Description
This model is an extension of the Efficiency curve (Fixed D50c) model to
include a regression relationship for d50c. The water split to the fine product
remains fixed.
8.1.7.2
Model Equations
d50c
Relationship
For normal operation the classification size d50c can be related to the operating
variables according to the equation:
Log10 (d50c) = W * log10 (SW) + X * FW * C / 100 + Y * FPS + Z
Efficiency Curve
Relationship
(A5.1
)
(A5.2)
(A5.3)
General Models
Model Descriptions
8.1.7.3
8.1.7.4
Symbols
Symbol
331
Meaning
reduced efficiency curve sharpness parameter
reduced efficiency curve dip parameter
8.1.7.5
W,X,Y,Z
d50c
SW
FW
FPS
Known Restrictions
As Model 251 is based on a regression equation, extrapolation beyond the
scope of the data used in the regression will decrease accuracy significantly.
Effect of the Log
Relationship
The relationship between d50c and Slot Width is defined in Log space. This
means that the multiplier coefficient W will have a different effect for slot
widths less than and greater than 1.0 mm. For slot widths less than 1.0 mm a
multiplier greater than 1 will make the calculated d50c value smaller than the
slot width. However, for slot widths greater than 1.0 mm, the effect is
reversed.This can cause unexpected results when changing slot width.
Screen Wear
DSM screens are sensitive to wire wear condition. The screens are usually
reversed on a regular basis. If possible, test data should record the wear
condition. If this is not possible, test at both new and worn to obtain a range
of likely operation.
General Models
332
8.1.7.6
JKSimMet V6 Manual
Fitting
Parameter Menu
W * Slot
X * FPS
Y * FdWater
Z (int)
Sharpness
Dip
C
This is a simple model to fit as it has no scaling capabilities. Fit the water
split,
and d50c. See the comments regarding fitting in the cyclone model
description (Appendix A2).
Initial estimates of 4 for a and 50% for the water split should be adequate for
most data sets.
An initial d50c estimate of half of the actual screen aperture is appropriate.
Multiple Data
Sets
If the data cover a range of feed rates, feed percent solids, slot widths and
screen widths, proceed as follows:
Fit each data set for a, C and d50 .
Refit with average a and C set constant. That is, force all the variation into
the cut size.
Use Master/Slave fitting to fit the separation size equation (A5.1) for W, X,
Y and Z.
Note: If the slot width does not have a strong effect on d50c, then the data are
very questionable.
8.1.7.7
References
LYNCH, A. J., 1977, Mineral crushing and grinding circuits, (Elsevier,
Amsterdam), pp 124-126.
8.1.8
8.1.8.1
Model Description
Equipment
The Simple Combiner model is available for selection for the Pump, Pump
Sump, Sump, Ball Mill, Tower Mill and Stockpile equipment. After opening the
Equipment window for the equipment, click on the Equipment model drop down
list to access the model options. Next click on the double arrow button to the
right of the drop down list to open the model window pertaining to the selected
model.
Model Overview
For the Simple Combiner model, the mass in the particle classes of two or more
incoming feed streams is combined to produce the mass in the particle classes
in a single product stream of the combiner (Equation M800-1):
General Models
Model Descriptions
333
(M800-1)
The mass of water in the feed streams is also combined to produce the mass of
water in the Simple Combiner product stream.
Prerequisite
System Properties
There are no prerequisite system properties for this model for the Standard
input option, however the Volume output warning option requires the
Mineralogy system property to be added as a property in the particle class
definition table in Stream Specification.
Standard Option
The Standard model option requires no parameter input and has no prerequisite
stream properties, (see window below). The number of particle classes in all
feed and product streams is equal and the mass of a particular particle class is
conserved across the equipment unit.
The Volume output warning option alerts the user when the flow rate of the
streams entering the combiner equipment exceed the volume capacity of the
equipment. When using this option, JKSimMet will report a warning to the
user at the completion of simulation when the Simple Combiner output flow
exceeds the Maximum Product Volume flow (m3 /hr) specified.
The Volume output warning option for the Simple Combiner model is shown
below.
General Models
334
JKSimMet V6 Manual
8.1.8.3
Symbols
Symbol
Meaning
Mp feed stream s
Mp product
Model Limitations
No relevant limitations.
8.1.8.4
References
No relevant references.
8.1.9
8.1.9.1
Model Description
Equipment
General Models
The 2 Way Simple Splitter model is available for selection for the 2 Product
Splitter, Hydrocyclone, Flotation Cell, Flotation Column and Jameson Cell.
After opening the Equipment window for the equipment, click on the Equipment
model drop down list to access the model options. Next click on the double
arrow button to the right of the drop down list to open the model window
pertaining to the selected model.
Model Descriptions
Model Overview
335
The feed to this model is split into two streams with size distributions, particle
classes and pulp densities identical to the feed. The controlling parameter is
the Fraction Split to Top Product. The top product is the upper product on the
equipment icon and is marked with a T. The parameter range is 0.0 to 1.0.
The 2 Way Simple Splitter model in JKSimMet combines the mass in the
particle classes of the feed stream and splits this mass according to a defined
ratio into the particle classes of its product streams.
A splitter is characterized by the fact that its combined feed composition is
equivalent to the composition of each individual product stream, that is, the
ratio of particle classes in the feed and product streams is equal, and the total
mass in a particular particle class is conserved across the unit.
Prerequisite
System Properties
This model can be used regardless of the properties that have been added as
properties in the particle class definition table in Stream Specification.
General Models
336
JKSimMet V6 Manual
8.1.9.3
Symbols
Symbol
Meaning
Mp feed stream s
Mp product stream
Model Limitations
This model makes no assumptions about the process used to separate. It is a
splitter only; the fraction split data must be entered by the user. There is no
relationship between feed or equipment unit conditions and the model output.
8.1.9.4
References
No relevant references.
General Models
The 2 Way Volumetric Splitter model is available for selection for the 2 Product
Splitter, Flotation Cell, Flotation Column and Jameson Cell. After opening the
Equipment window for the equipment, click on the Equipment model drop down
list to access the model options. Next click on the double arrow button to the
Version 6.0.1 - March 2014
Model Descriptions
337
right of the drop down list to open the model window pertaining to the selected
model.
Model Overview
The feed to this model is split into two streams with size distributions and
particle classes identical to the feed. The controlling parameters are the
Fraction Split to Top Product (Water) and Fraction Split to Top Product
(Solids). The top product is the upper product on the equipment icon and is
marked with a T. The parameter range is 0.0 to 1.0.
The 2 Way Volumetric Splitter model in JKSimMet combines the volume in the
particle classes of any feed streams and splits this volume into the particle
classes of its product streams. Instead of entering a split ratio, in this model the
user defines the volumetric flow to the top product.
A splitter is characterized by the fact that its combined feed composition is
equivalent to the composition of each individual product stream, that is, the
ratio of particle classes in the feed and product streams is equal, and the total
mass in a particular particle class is conserved across the unit.
Prerequisite
System Properties
This model can only be used if the Mineralogy property has been added as a
property in the particle class definition table in Stream Specification.
General Models
338
JKSimMet V6 Manual
Meaning
This topic contains a description of the Water and Solids 2-Way Simple
Splitter model.
General Models
The Water and Solids 2 Way Simple Splitter model is available for selection for the
DSM screen, 2 Product Splitter, Rake Classifier, Spiral Classifier, Spiral Separator,
Hydrocyclone, Flotation Cell and Flotation Column. After opening the Equipment
window for the equipment, click on the Equipment model drop down list to access the
Model Descriptions
339
model options. Next click on the double arrow button to the right of the drop down list
to open the model window pertaining to the selected model.
Model
Overview
This model is a variation on the 2-way simple splitter model. The feed to this model is
split into two streams with size distributions and particle classes identical to the feed
but the water in the feed is split in proportions different from the solids split to the two
products. The controlling parameters are the Fraction Split to Top Product (Solids) and
Fraction Split to top product (liquid). The top product is the upper product on the
equipment icon and is marked with a T. The parameter range is 0.0 to 1.0.
The water and solids 2 Way Simple Splitter model in JKSimMet combines the mass in
the particle classes of the feed stream and splits the solids mass according to a defined
ratio into the particle classes of its product streams and the liquid .. ratio.
Prerequisi
te System
Properties
Model
Data
Input
This model can be used regardless of the properties that have been added as properties
in the particle class definition table in Stream Specification.
The information required by JKSimMet to calculate the mass in each particle class in
each of the product streams using the water and solids 2 Way Simple Splitter model,
and the models used to perform these calculations, are outlined below.
The user defines the fraction of the feed stream solids split to the top product, and
the feed stream liquid to the top product . Double click on the appropriate field to
input the required values for Fraction split to top product solids and liquid. These fractions
are used during simulation to determine the mass in each particle class in the product
streams, Mpproduct stream 1 or 2 (Equations M813-1 and M813-2) and the mass of liquid in
the product streams.
The liquid ratio is used in a similar manner to determine the mass of water in the two
product streams.
(M8
131)
(
M
8
1
3
2
)
General Models
340
JKSimMet V6 Manual
The Water and Solids 2 Way Simple Splitter model is shown below.
Meaning
Mplproduct stream
General Models
Model Descriptions
341
The 3 Way Simple Splitter model is available for selection for the 3 Product
Splitter equipment item. After opening the Equipment window for this item, click
on the Equipment model drop down list to access the model options. Next click
on the double arrow button to the right of the drop down list to open the model
window pertaining to the selected model.
Model Overview
The feed to this model is split into three streams with size distributions, particle
classes and pulp densities identical to the feed. The controlling parameters are
the Fraction Split to Top Product and the Fraction Split to Bottom Product. The
top product is the upper product on the equipment icon and is marked with a
T. The parameter range is 0.0 to 1.0.
This model can be used regardless of the properties that have been added as
properties in the particle class definition table in Stream Specification.
These fraction split ratios are used during simulation to determine the mass in
each particle class in the product streams (Equations M870-1, E870-2 and E8703).
The fraction split ratios are also used in a similar manner to determine the mass
of water in the three product streams.
(M870-1)
(M870-2)
(M8703)
The 3Way Simple Splitter model is shown below.
General Models
342
JKSimMet V6 Manual
Meaning
Mp feed stream
Mp product stream
top
bottom
8.2
Comminution Models
This section describes the various comminution circuit models and contains:
a description of each comminution model available in JKSimMet
key equations forming the mathematical basis of the models
known limitations and restrictions
some guidance and restrictions for parameter fitting
General Models
Model Descriptions
343
8.2.1
8.2.1.1
Clearly, whether or not a particle is selected will depend principally upon its
size relative to the closed-side setting (CSS) of the crusher and the extent of
choke feeding. The size distribution of the daughter products of breakage will
depend principally upon the initial size of the particle and upon its physical
properties.
New feed entering the crusher is classified (or selected). Some material,
predominantly the finer fraction, bypasses the breakage process entirely and
reports directly to the product. The remainder is broken, and the daughter
fragments are then recycled to the classification step. The new fine fraction
exits via the product, and the coarser material is re-broken.
Perfect Mixing
Model
Comminution Models
344
JKSimMet V6 Manual
(A6.1)
x = p + Cx
(A6.2)
where x is a vector representing the amount in each size fraction in the crusher
f
Combining (A6.1) and (A6.2) results in the Whiten crusher model equation:
p = ( I - C ) * ( I - AC ) -1 * f
(A6.3)
Comminution Models
Model Descriptions
345
Manual. Note: a single particle breakage test of the ore is required for either
type of power estimate.
8.2.1.2
Model Equations
p = (I - C) * (I - A * C)-1 * f
Selection
Where C is the classification function (a diagonal matrix) and where C(x) is the
probability of selection for breakage of a particle of size x and is defined as:
C(x) = 1
(A6.4)
for x > K2
i.e. all particles are broken
C (x) = 1 - [ (K2 -x)/(K2 -K1 ) ] ^ K3
(A6.5)
(A6.6)
for x < K1
i.e. no particles are broken
(x = mean particle size)
An example of the classification functions is given in figure A6.2.
Classification Function, c
The model equations are developed by non-linear regression analysis of
survey data collected over a wide range of operating conditions, followed by
multiple linear regression of the fitted parameters against the operating
conditions. The general form of these relationships is:
K1 = A0 * Crusher gap - A1 * Throughput + A2 * Feed coarseness
K2 = B0 * Crusher gap - B1 * Throughput + B2 * Feed coarseness
K3 = C0 (generally held constant at a value of 2.3)
First
Approximation
Comminution Models
346
JKSimMet V6 Manual
The breakage severity (t10) will also increase (see A6.6 and equation A6.11).
The model allows for inclusion of minor variables where more detailed data
are available The equations in the model are of the form:
K1 = A0 * CSS + A1 *TPH + A2 * F80 + A3 LLen + A4
(A6.7)
(A6.8)
K3 = C0 (usually 2.3)
(A6.9)
Where:
CSS
LLen
Liner Length
ET
Eccentric Throw
LHr
Liner Hours
TPH
F80
P80
Note that only closed side setting and crusher throw will normally be used.
The other relationships require a very detailed experimental database.
8.2.1.3
The Andersen model uses the results of JK breakage testing of coarse particles
to predict both breakage and crusher power consumption. This model has
been extensively tested on cone crushers (mostly operating as secondary
crushers) over a broad range of ore types. When the model was developed,
only the pendulum device was available for single particle breakage tests.
However, the JK Drop Weight test is now used as it provides for a wider range
of energies and particle sizes.
The first step is to use the JK breakage test to characterise ore breakage over a
range of input and absorbed energies. The absorbed energy (per unit mass of
particle) is referred to as the specific comminution energy.
8.2.1.4
Comminution Models
Model Descriptions
347
T50
T25
T4
T2
10.0
2.8
4.0
5.5
22.2
51.4
20.0
5.6
7.2
10.7
43.4
80.8
30.0
8.9
11.3
16.4
60.7
93.0
Comminution Models
348
JKSimMet V6 Manual
8.2.1.5
Breakage Parameters
Breakage parameters can be established from regression analysis of the same
data as the classification equations.
t10 = D0 * Crusher Gap + D1 * Throughput D2 * Feed Size (F80) + D3
(A6.10
)
This equation shows the intuitively expected dependence on the crusher gap,
throughput and feed size distribution.
The "feed coarseness" factor is somewhat application dependent. That is, it
will be influenced by crusher liner profile and effective slope as well as closed
side setting and gap.
First
Approximation
8.2.1.6
Typical cone crusher operation for secondary and tertiary crushers will be at a
t10 of 15 to 20. For a lightly loaded crusher (size control on a primary jaw
crusher) will operate at a t10 of 5-10. A high reduction crusher (toothed roll or
choke fed tertiary) may achieve a t10 up to 25.
Comminution Models
Model Descriptions
349
Reduction
parameter
Particle size mm
t10
14.50
10.0
0.35
0.30
0.25
20.0
0.80
0.70
0.50
30.0
1.2
1.0
0.80
20.63
28.89
Reduction
parameter
Particle size mm
t10
14.50
10.0
0.35
0.30
0.25
0.20
0.15
20.0
0.80
0.70
0.50
0.40
0.30
30.0
1.2
1.0
0.80
0.60
0.40
20.63
28.89
41.10
57.80
Comminution Models
350
JKSimMet V6 Manual
(A6.11)
where Pobs
Pcalc
E1
E2
The constant included in the regression equation adequately accounts for the
crusher machine power draw (the power required to overcome machine
frictional losses), or 'no-load' power draw as it is commonly termed. This 'noload' power appears to vary slightly with throughput and is a function of both
plant power factor and drive motor efficiency.
Feed rate (t/h) and feed coarseness are usually less significant variables and a
satisfactory model can be obtained by absorbing these effects into the constant
term. These variables are implicitly included in the pendulum power
calculation.
The power regressions developed may be used to predict the power
requirements of crushers operating on different ores after determining the
relationship between the breakage parameter, t10, test particle size, and the
specific comminution energy, Ecs, for the ore under investigation. The
pendulum test should be conducted on representative ore particles over the
range of the crusher feed size. Where a specific mathematical performance
model of the form of equations A6.7 to A6.10 has been developed from
extensive plant surveys, the power draw may then be predicted for different
operating conditions.
In a design situation, given the feed and the desired product size distributions,
the t10-size-Ecs relationship for the ore to be processed must be obtained from
the pendulum test and this information used in the model to calculate the total
comminution energy required. The crushing power requirements can then be
Comminution Models
Model Descriptions
351
8.2.1.8
Symbols
Symbol
Meaning
Comminution Models
352
8.2.1.9
JKSimMet V6 Manual
unit matrix
K1
K2
K3
CSS
TPH
tonnes/hour feed
F80
t10
Pcalc
Ai
regression constant
Bi
regression constant
Ci
regression constant
Di
regression constant
Ei
regression constant
Known Restrictions
This is the most general of the crusher models developed at the JKMRC. It has
been extensively tested for large (7ft) cone crushers. The model provides an
excellent description for individual results for many types of crusher, e.g., jaw,
roll, toothed roll, hammer mill etc., but has not been extensively tested on these
other crusher types.
The feed coarseness relationships are usually based on scalped feed oversize
variations. They could well be different from variations in scalping screen
aperture. This interaction is a subject for continuing investigation.
For power calculations large particles are apparently softer (see Table A6.2).
The drop weight test is not suitable for particles of diameter larger than 63mm.
Hence, using specific comminution energies derived on smaller particles will
tend to overestimate required pendulum power.
There is also a physical flow limit for most types of crushers. For crushers
which cause a considerable increase in volume, this limit is important. Hence
for cone or 'Gyra disk' types, check the simulated flowrates against the design
tables for that type of crusher and the corresponding bowl and mantle.
Typical flowrates are available from standard references such as Mular and
Bhappu (1978), Chapter 11.
Model Descriptions
353
and
A4
for
K1
B5
for
K2
D3
for
t10
Parameter
Menu
There are two distinct levels of use of the crusher model. The different uses
require different fitting strategies.
Limited Data
One data set allows a (somewhat approximate) estimate of product size for
small variations in closed side setting.
For one data set:
fit A4 and B5
with A0 = 1.0, and B0 = 2.0 and (for cone crushers) K3 = 2.3.
Set other A and B values to zero.
Similarly for the breakage function:
fit D3
D0, D1 and D2 are set to zero.
Note that one data set does not provide useful information about power
dependencies.
Extensive Data
The model is much more useful with a range of data. This means 5 to 10 data
sets covering a range of crusher settings, feed rates and (if possible) feed sizes.
JKTech can undertake breakage tests to characterize an ore as shown in Figure
A6.3 and Table A6.1 and to determine the size single particle breakage/power
as shown in Figure A6.5 and Table A6.2.
Comminution Models
354
JKSimMet V6 Manual
HP Grinding
Rolls
(and Others)
Note that the value of K3 is generally 2.3 for cone, jaw and gyratory crushers
only. For other types of crushers, such as grinding rolls and hammer mills, it
is advisable to fit K3 also, with 2.3 as a good initial estimate
8.2.2
Comminution Models
Model Descriptions
8.2.2.1
355
Model Description
The rod mill model is based on the concept of stages of breakage. A stage of
breakage has three components:
selection
appearance
classification.
That is, each stage is equivalent to breakage, screening and recirculation.
The mill is considered as a number of segments in order. Each segment is a
stage of breakage.
8.2.2.2
Model Equations
Diagrammatically a stage of breakage may be considered as:
Comminution Models
356
JKSimMet V6 Manual
p = (X) v f
(A7.1)
or
p = XXX ... f
for v times
The key dependence is the variation of stages of breakage v with mill feed
rate F.
Experimentally:
F (v)1.5 = MC
where MC is the mill constant.
The mill constant can also be scaled as detailed later.
Appearance
Function
Classification
Function
Selection Function
Si = SL * XC + IN
Comminution Models
Model Descriptions
357
The rod mill model is scaled by modifying the mill constant according to
dimensions and operating conditions described below:
Mill Size
Media Load
Load Fraction (i.e. volume of mill occupied by charge and media at rest after
grinding out)
FACTB = [(1 - LFSIM ) * LFSIM ] / [(1 - LFFIT ) * LFFIT ]
Note 30% < LF < 45%
Critical Speed
Feed Size
Ore Hardness
Work Index
FACTE = - 0.8 ln (WISIM /WIFIT )
FACTF = ln [(S(I)FIT /(1-S(I)FIT )] + FACTE
Comminution Models
358
JKSimMet V6 Manual
Symbols
Comminution Models
Symbol
Meaning
Model Descriptions
Si
vSIM
F90FIT
F90SIM
MCSIM
MC
SL
IN
XC
DSIM
DFIT
LSIM
LFIT
LFSIM
LFFIT
CSSIM
CSFIT
WISIM
WIFIT
359
Note: The fitted mill is the rod mill which provided the
experimental data.
8.2.2.5
Known Restrictions
Scaling
Change in Feed
Pulp Density
The number of stages of breakage is calculated from the feed solids mass
flow. No account is taken of water in the feed. It is assumed that rod mills
operate at 75 to 85 percent solids in the feed.
Effect of Feed
Size
Mill Speed
Comminution Models
360
8.2.2.6
JKSimMet V6 Manual
Parameter
Menu
Because the rod mill model is dependent on feed conditions, it is difficult to
fit in closed circuit until the parameters are very good estimates. Therefore,
mass balance a closed circuit rod mill first. Then fit the discharge using the
mass balanced feed rate and sizing. (Use Whiten SDs for the product size
distribution). If an ore specific breakage function is available, it should be
used. the mill constant (MC) and the three selection function parameters can
be fitted.
For fitting, set the simulated and original mill dimensions etc. to the same
values.
Check the experimental feed 90% passing size and input it. Use a measured
work index if available - an approximate one if not.
This model is fussy about initial estimates and some trial and error may be
needed. These guidelines will help for many cases.
If you are new to the rod mill model use the rod mill example in Chapter 3
and graph the output to get a feel for how XC, SL and IN interact and change
the shape of the product curve.
Set XC to about half of the top size of the mill feed and MC to 2000. Assume a
selection value of 0.1 at XC and 1.0 at the feed top size. Calculate slope and
intercept to suit. Try a simulation with these values. If the product
distribution is approximately the right shape, (plot as cumulative percent
passing both simulated and experimental products) fit the rod mill constant.
If the shape is very different, increase the assumed selection value for a
steeper product slope and proceed when the slope is similar.
If the fitting program finds a reasonable minimum, - that is, the mill constant
error is less than 20% - change the MC estimate to the new value and fit the
slope. If the sum of squares decreases, update the SL guess to the fitted value
and fit XC and IN also.
8.2.2.7
References
LYNCH, A.J., 1977. Mineral crushing and grinding circuits, (Elsevier,
Amsterdam), 51-60.
8.2.3
Comminution Models
A new feature introduced with Version 5.2 was the extension of the ball mill
model to include a grate discharge option. Ball mill power is now calculated
for both overflow and grate discharge options (using the Morrell Power
Model) and is displayable in an information block.
Model Descriptions
8.2.3.1
361
Model Description
This model considers a ball mill as a perfectly mixed tank with contents
described by a vector size distribution s.
The product vector p is produced by a discharge rate di for each size fraction,
where D is a diagonal matrix of rates, that is:
p = D*s
(A8.1)
Within the mill, two factors control breakage. The first is the rate of selection
of each size for breakage. The second is the way in which the selected
particles are broken (or appear) in the mill contents.
Selected = R * s
where R is a diagonal matrix of rates.
Appearance = A * s
where A is a triangular matrix of breakage (appearance) functions
(distributions).
At steady state, the mill feed minus the material selected for breakage plus the
material from breakage minus the material discharged must equal zero. This
can be written as:
f - R*s + A*R*s - D*s = 0
Discharge Rates
(A8.2)
For overflow mills and most of the operational range of grate discharge mills,
the discharge elements can be approximated by:
Di = Di* 4 * v / (d2 * l)
(A8.3)
Breakage rates tend to increase rapidly with particle size, with the increase
tapering off at the feed top size.
Comminution Models
362
JKSimMet V6 Manual
8.2.3.2
The appearance function A is ore dependent, and can be measured using the
drop-weight testing technique developed at the JKMRC.
A table of
appearance functions for a variety of ore types and the associated operating
work indices is given in section A8.7. The standard Broadbent-Calcott
appearance function is also included.
Model Equations
Considering equation 8.1 as the elements of each vector and matrix yields:
(
A
8.
4
)
A ij R js j - D is i = 0
fi - Ris i +
j=1
and:
pi = Dis i
(A8.5)
A ij
fi - pi + j=1
pj- pi = 0
(A8.6)
Rj
Dj
where feed and product are related by R/D for a particular breakage function.
Equation A8.3 can be used to scale for feed rate and mill dimensions.
In general, the mill contents s is not known and it is not possible to separate
the R/D* ratio into its components. The R/D* function is represented
internally by a cubic spline function (that is, by a smooth curve). A number of
spline knots (generally between 2 and 4) on the 1n(R/D*) function are fitted.
Scaling
Scaling of the ball mill model is achieved by modifying the fitted R/D*
function according to dimensions and operating conditions as described
below.
Mill Diameter
Comminution Models
Model Descriptions
363
FACTA =
Note: This factor is in addition to a direct volume effect which is built into the
model.
Load Fraction
The load fraction LF is the volume of mill occupied by charge and media at
rest when the load is ground out.
FACTB =
Fraction Critical
Speed
(1 - LFSIM ) . LFSIM
(1 - LFFIT ) . LFFIT
FACTC =
Db3
1/Db
= K * Db2
Comminution Models
364
JKSimMet V6 Manual
1
FACTE
Db FIT
Db SIM
Db SIM
1
Db FIT
FACTE
Db SIM
Db FIT
Scaling Using
Breakage
Functions
Comminution Models
Model Descriptions
8.2.3.3
365
Symbols
Symbol
Meaning
D*
R/D* SIM
R/D* FIT
dSIM
d FIT
LSIM
LFSIM
LFFIT
CSSIM
CSFIT
WISIM
WIFIT
Db
DbSIM
Db FIT
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366
JKSimMet V6 Manual
K
8.2.3.5
Known Restrictions
Change in
Coarseness of
Feed
It is known that the coarse end of the R/D* function does vary with gross
changes in the amount of coarse material in the feed stream. As the amount of
coarse material in the feed is decreased, the relevant R/D* values increase.
This limitation is not considered significant for changes of less than plus or
minus 50% in the amount of coarse material in the feed.
Critical Speed
Range
Predicting Rates
at 'Missing Sizes'
If the ball mill model does not produce any of a coarse fraction (i.e. none in the
mill discharge) then the effective rate of grinding is 'infinite'. One way to
overcome this problem is to size the mill contents and expand to the perfect
mixing model used for the SAG mill model.
This is usually not experimentally convenient.
approaches are to:
Test the mill at maximum tonnage with coarse feed. If there is any coarse
material in the discharge, the actual rates can be estimated.
Use a set of rates and knot values from the supplementary information for a
similar mill feed sizing and fit with Work Index alone the first time.
Transfer the coarse rate values from calc to exp, return the Work Index to its
original value and refit the two smaller rates. This procedure should give
reasonable answers with a coarser feed. Work is proceeding on improving
the ball mill model in this area.
High Mill
Viscosity or Pulp
Density
The perfect mixing mill model only takes account of pulp density variations
as variations in mill volume. Therefore, higher pulp density will always
predict higher grinding rates. In practice, the rates do improve until pulp
viscosity begins to interfere with ball action and rates decrease rapidly. This
onset is difficult to predict as it is highly ore type dependent. However,
effective mill operation of greater than 50% solids by volume is unlikely and
improbable at greater than 60% solids by volume.
The ball size scaling relies on the R/D* function exhibiting a maximum. If
there is no maximum in the fitted R/D* function, increasing the ball size will
give optimistic results.
The mill model assumes a constant breakage function for all size fractions.
This assumption simplifies the model but experimental evidence suggest
strongly that partial breakage increases in severity with decreasing size down to some limiting size. Therefore, if more than (say) twenty size fractions
are considered, an apparent minimum rate may be produced in the finer
ranges. This phenomenon is more likely to be an artefact of an incorrect
assumption than to have any physical significance. Research work continues
in this area.
Comminution Models
Model Descriptions
8.2.3.6
367
Parameter
Menu
The ball mill model is well-behaved for model fitting. It can be fitted in closed
circuit with the cyclone model with generally better results than by fitting
each model to mass balanced data. Hence a good closed circuit fit will also
provide a good mass balance estimate of circulating load.
R/D* Spline
Knots
Use three knots for normal grinding conditions and four knots for a wider
than usual size range (such as SAG mill discharge or a very fine product).
Knot Positions
Knot Estimates
Estimates for the function values at the knot positions are provided as ln(R/
D*) values. A simple ascending series provides a good first estimate, for
example:
0.5, 1.5, 2.5
Work Index,
Load Fraction
If you have several sets of data, use an operating Work Index for each
(calculated from mill feed rate, mill power, feed and product 80% passing
sizes). If the major variation is hardness only, then the average knots can be
used.
The calculated R/D* values are displayed on the unit data entry screen.
There should be a smooth increase with size. Sometimes the curve will have a
maximum at the coarse end. If there are any sudden changes or ups and
downs, try adjusting the knot positions.
There will often be a bump at a change in size measurement technique, such
as the transition from screen sizing to Cyclosizer sizing.
Systematic deviations can sometimes be removed by adjusting a knot towards
the largest deviation.
8.2.3.7
Graph
Cumulative
Simulated and
Experimental
Product
When nothing else works, plot the experimental feed and product on a coarse
scale (say 0-30%) percent retained against log size. If there are any large
discontinuities, check your data very carefully, and repeat your sampling if
possible.
Master/Slave
Fitting
The perfect mixing ball mill model is well suited to fitting of multiple data
sets. The ln(R/D*) knot values can be fitted simultaneously for a number of
surveys. Ensure that you use the same knot positions, and number of knots,
for each mill in your master/slave fitting test.
Comminution Models
368
JKSimMet V6 Manual
Size
Interval
Massiv
e
Sulphid
e
(Ni)
Massiv
e
Sulphid
e
Coarse
Porphy
ry Hard
Porphy
ry Soft
(Cu)
(Cu)
Massive
Sulphid
e Fine
(Pb-Zn)
(Pb-Zn)
1
0.0591
0.0505
0.08586
0.05220
0.1128
0.1052
0.0974
0.1248
0.09919
0.1490
0.1318
0.1276
0.1387
0.1288
0.1497
0.1295
0.1278
0.1278
0.1284
0.1250
0.1127
0.1128
0.1076
0.1129
0.09885
0.0927
0.09469
0.08722
0.09423
0.07866
0.07486
0.07810
0.06960
0.07727
0.06289
0.06082
0.06428
0.05540
0.06339
0.04943
0.05005
0.05316
0.04428
0.05239
0.03842
10
0.04166
0.04424
0.03574
0.04364
0.03003
11
0.03462
0.03666
0.02899
0.03623
0.02376
12
0.02723
0.02880
0.02278
0.02847
0.01865
13
0.02054
0.02171
0.01743
0.02146
0.01448
14
0.01537
0.01623
0.01325
0.01604
0.01120
15
0.01144
0.01207
0.01004
0.01192
0.00864
16
0.00849
0.00894
0.00758
1
0.00883
0.00664
9.0
13.6
12.2
15.9
Quartzit
e
Sulphide
Low
Grade
(Cu)
Comminution Models
Porphy
ry Soft
USA
(Cu)
Massiv
e
Sulphid
e
(Cu, Pb,
Zn)
Massive
Sulphid
e
(Pb, Zn,
Cu)
Standar
d
Functio
n
Model Descriptions
369
0.09514
0.0501
3
0.1171
0.1081
0.193
0.1322
0.0970
0.1537
0.1442
0.157
0.1417
0.1273
0.1522
0.1472
0.126
0.1267
0.1276
0.1247
0.1253
0.101
0.1049
0.1128
0.09723
0.1006
0.082
0.08477
0.0948
1
0.07685
0.08050
0.066
0.06778
0.0783
2
0.06131
0.06444
0.053
0.05371
0.0645
1
0.04810
0.05076
0.043
0.04244
0.0533
6
0.03729
0.03958
0.035
10
0.03379
0.0443
8
0.02911
0.03103
0.028
11
0.02709
0.0367
7
0.02303
0.02459
0.022
12
0.02127
0.0288
8
0.01810
0.01929
0.018
13
0.01637
0.0217
7
0.01407
0.01496
0.015
14
0.01254
0.0162
8
0.01089
0.01155
0.012
15
0.009565
0.0121
1
0.00841
3
0.00888
8
0.010
16
0.007279
0.0089
68
0.00648
3
0.00682
5
0.008
10.2
14.1
13.5
8.2.3.8
References
LYNCH, A.J., 1977. Mineral crushing and grinding circuits,
Amsterdam), 309-312.
(Elsevier,
WHITEN, W.J., 1976. Ball mill simulation using small calculators, Proc.
Australas. Inst. Min. Metall., 258, 47-53.
MORRELL, S. 1992. Ball size effects in ball mills. Chapter 2, End of project
Comminution Models
370
JKSimMet V6 Manual
8.2.4
8.2.4.1
Model Description
The JKMRC has been involved in the development of a model of autogenous
and semi-autogenous grinding for many years. The first model to provide
useful predictions was the Leung model (Leung, 1987). It used ore-specific
breakage functions obtained off-line using a laboratory test procedure. It has
largely been superseded by the Variable Rates model( see Appendix 11).
However, because of its relative simplicity, the Leung model provides a good
introduction to SAG mill modelling.
Caution: The Leung model scales on volume. This is irrelevant for
optimisation but is important for scale up from pilot to full scale mills of more
than 8 to 9m in diameter.
The power model (Morrell, 1991) was added in 1992.
The Leung model has the general structure shown in Figure A9.1.
appearance function has two components:
The
Comminution Models
Model Descriptions
371
High Energy
Breakage
The relationship between the amount of breakage and the input energy is
described by
t10 = A (l - e - b Ecs )
(A9.1)
where t10 is the percentage of the broken particle which will pass through a
screen of one tenth the size of the original particle, and Ecs is the energy
absorbed per unit mass during breakage measured in kWh/t.
A and b are the parameters which characterize this equation for a particular
ore. A is usually taken as 50. Parameter b is derived from a drop-weight
breakage test of closely sized ore particles. Required sample size varies
Comminution Models
372
JKSimMet V6 Manual
(A9.2
)
The actual value of the abrasion parameter ta is one tenth (scale factor only)
of t10 :
based on top size of 50 mm, mass 3 kg and time 10 minutes.
Low Energy
Appearance
Function Abrasion
The size distributions produced by ores tested to date have a similar shape.
This shape can be scaled to the ta factor that is the percentage passing one
tenth of the original particle size.
A cubic spline function is used for smooth interpolation.
A 100mm particle is chosen as an example as particles of this size will
typically undergo abrasion rather than crushing breakage. Parameter ta is
taken as 1.0 to make the scaling obvious.
size (mm)
% passing
t value
scale*
100
100
t1.25
2.687*ta
80
2.687
t1.5
1.631*ta
67
1.631
t10
1.0*ta
10
1.0
t100
0.9372*ta
0.9372
t250
0.8070*ta
0.4
0.8070
t500
0.6365*ta
0.2
0.6365
As the charge provides the grinding media, the level of available energy is
related to the coarse fraction of the mill charge.
The average size of the top 20% of the charge is used as the highest energy
reference level.
S20 = (p100 * p98 * p96 ... p80)
1/11
(A9.3)
Comminution Models
. (S20 )3 g D
(A9.4)
Model Descriptions
373
1/(x)1.5
(A9.5)
Once the energy of breakage is known, the distribution the particle breaks
into can be described by a cubic spline surface.
spline knots t =
0.0
10.0
30.0
50.0
t2
0.0
50.53
92.49
96.47
t4
0.0
23.33
61.58
82.86
t10
0.0
10.00
30.00
50.00
t25
0.0
4.975
15.62
25.88
t50
0.0
3.064
9.412
14.71
t75
0.0
2.325
6.893
10.32
Combined
Appearance
Function
% passing
Size (mm)
50
100
t2
25
92.49
t4
12.5
61.58
t10
30.00
t25
15.62
t50
9.412
t75
0.67
6.893
As noted earlier, the abrasion distribution does not vary with particle size
while the crushing breakage is highly dependent on particle size.
Hence, abrasion will tend to dominate for coarse particles and impact for
fine particles (from equation (A9.5)).
To generate an appearance function for each size fraction, the high and low
energy appearance functions are combined proportionally.
a = (tLE * aLE + tHE * aHE) / (tLE + tHE)
(A9.6)
Comminution Models
374
JKSimMet V6 Manual
where
aLE and aHE = low and high energy appearance functions,
tLE and tHE = low and high energy t values
Equations (A9.1) to (A9.6) combined with the two tables of spline knots
yield a complete appearance function (that is how each component will
break) for each size in the mill load.
Breakage
Rates
To predict a product from the mill contents and the appearance function
requires only a rate of selection for breakage for each size fraction of the mill
load.
These rates will be inherently scaled because the mill load will be
constrained by mill dimensions and the mill diameter (if the energy versus
breakage assumptions are correct). These rates will certainly vary if mill
speed is changed but this dependence is not included in the Leung model.
To describe these rates, a five knot spline function is used.
Best fit values to data are tabulated.
Spline knots (mm)
ln (Rate of
Breakage)
Autogenous
ln (Rate of
Breakage)
SAG
0.250
2.63
2.176
4.00
4.04
4.444
16.0
3.32
3.577
44.8
1.98
2.753
128
3.37
4.082
8.2.4.3
Comminution Models
The mill grate is modelled as a very simple classifier. When this model was
developed the relationship between the classification, discharge and the
operating conditions was not well defined. Hence, the classifier/discharge is
assumed to be constant- for other than minus grate size hold up. A simple
form is used.
D=1
x < xm
xg > x > xm
(A9.7)
Model Descriptions
375
where xm is the particle size below which it will always pass through the
grate if presented to it - that is, behave like water. xg is the size of the grate
through which the largest particles will pass through.
Pebble Port
Modification
The quantity of pulp discharged will depend on the quantity per unit time
presented to the grate multiplied by the classification function.
d = dmax * D
where dmax is the fraction of the load presented to the grate per unit time and
D is the classification function.
The water is assumed to follow the sub mesh particles.
The actual value of D is found iteratively.
The required value satisfies the following empirical mass transfer law
(Austin, 1976).
Mass Transfer
"Law"
The value of dmax is adjusted until the model prediction matches the required
one. That is, until it lies on the operating line of
L = m1 Fm2
(A9.9)
where
m1 = 0.37
m2 = 0.37
L is the fraction of the active volume of the mill occupied by minus grate size
material and F is the total volumetric feed rate per minute divided by the
Comminution Models
376
JKSimMet V6 Manual
The perfect mixing model at steady state provides the structure to combine the
various components of the model. It relates the different parts in the following
manner.
fi - ri s i +
(
A
9.
1
0)
- di s i = 0
p i = di * s i
(A9.11)
where fi, s i, ri, di and pi are feed rate, contents, breakage rates, discharge rates
and product rate vectors and a ij is the combined appearance function.
The form of equations (A9.10) and (A9.11) allows both the mill load and the
product to be calculated for any mill load and discharge rate adjusted until
equation (A9.9) is satisfied.
Calculation sequence:
1. Calculate breakage rates
2. Calculate volume of below grate size material in the mill, L
3. Calculate discharge rate
4. If error is acceptable exit else make correction to Dmax
8.2.4.4
Mill Load
This model is unusual because it uses an internal port to describe the mill
contents. This port is accessible from the model properties drop down or from
the model window. It does not appear as stream equipment.
Scaling
This model is inherently scaled for mill diameter and volume. This scaling
optimistic in capacity as mill diameter is increased. It is reasonable for mills of
up to 8 to 9 m diameter.
The gross power draw of the mill is that drawn by the mill motor(s), ie metered
power. It is assumed that this has two components, viz
net power, ie. the power delivered to the charge
no-load power, ie. the power to overcome drive train and bearing losses.
The gross power can, therefore, be represented by the following equation
Gross Power Draw = No-Load Power + Net Power
(A9.12)
The gross power draw is calculated from the fraction critical speed, ball SG
and ball and rock porosity. These data are provided by the user. The
calculations use pulp load data generated by the model calculations.
The model data entry screen section for the power calculations include the
'net power adjustment factor'. This is a calibration constant which varies
slightly from mill to mill depending on mill liner configuration and other
factors.
Users are strongly recommended to leave this value set at 1.21. Other values
Comminution Models
Model Descriptions
377
should not be used unless a comprehensive range of load vs power data are
available.
Net Power Draw
From photographic evidence, the charge shapes shown in Figure A9.2 were
assumed to occur in grate discharge mills.
r2 cos d dr
(A9.13)
Power can be defined in terms of torque ( ) and rotational rate (N) as follows:
Power = 2 N
(A9.14)
and
and
Pnet = 2 gLen
N r r cos d .dr
ri
No-Load Power
(A9.15)
The no-load power draw (i.e. that drawn by the mill when completely empty),
is associated with various electrical and mechanical energy losses. The main
ones are motor, gearing and bearing losses. None of these are fixed over the
full mill operating range. Some, however, may have a fixed component. For
example, bearing losses due to friction will be dictated by the mill's dead
weight (though even this will vary as liners and lifters wear), and the mill
charge weight which will clearly vary with grinding condition.
To determine the relationship between no-load power and mill design
parameters, data from pilot and industrial mills ranging from 1.7 to 7.2 m in
diameter were analysed. However, these no-load powers are difficult to
measure precisely. The problems are power factor effects at low loads and
achieving a completely empty mill. The parameter Diam3Len N was
Comminution Models
378
JKSimMet V6 Manual
regressed against no load power and found to provide a good fit (Figure A9.3).
The relationship developed was as follows with N converted to the fraction of
control speed:
No Load Power (kW) = 2.62 (Diam2.5 Len )0.804
Hence, this equation estimates the likely indicated no-load power for an
installed mill.
Comminution Models
The most recent JKMRC database currently includes power data from 63
different mills. Details are shown in Table A9.1.
Ball Mills
SAG
Mills
AG Mills
Diameter (m)
0.85-5.34
1.80-9.59
1.8-9.50
1.52-8.84
0.59-7.95
0.59-5.18
Length/Diameter Ratio
1.00-1.83
0.33-1.50
0.33-1.0
60-83
48-89
72-75
20-48
3-25
20-48
7-38
10-31
2.6-4.6
2.6-4.1
2.7-4.6
Number of Mills
38
20
41
28
6.8-4100
14.8-7900
12.55500
Model Descriptions
379
The power model has been applied to this database and was found to give
excellent results. The standard deviation of the relative error of the model was
calculated to be 6.5% for gross power..
The model therefore requires a knowledge only of mill dimensions and speed,
ball charge, volume occupied by balls and pulp, and the ore specific gravity.
Full details of the model are given in Morrell (1991).
Because of the industrial database, the prediction of gross power is the most
reliable.
Restrictions
This power model assumes the SAG mill grate and pulp lifters do not limit
pulp throughput. For a large diameter mill (say > 7m) in closed circuit with
hydrocyclones or fine screens, this assumption may not be justified. A build
up of fine slurry in the mill will remove some of the charge imbalance and
reduce the actual power draw.
Comminution Models
380
8.2.4.5
JKSimMet V6 Manual
Comminution Models
Model Descriptions
8.2.4.6
381
Symbols
Symbol
Meaning
aij
d max
discharge rate at xm
di
fi
Ecs
E1
HE
High Energy
LE
Low Energy
m1, m2
si
rj
S
20
t10
tp
ta
abrasion parameter
xi
particle size
xg
xm
size below which all will pass through the grate (mm)
gravitational constant
charge density
Nr
rm
mill radius
ri
Comminution Models
382
JKSimMet V6 Manual
Diam
Len
8.2.4.7
Known Restrictions
The model is not valid outside a range of 55% to 75% solids by weight in the
feed.
Mill speed is assumed to be 70% of critical or close to it. However for small
changes in speed (~ 5%) a good approximation can be made by multiplying
the rate at each knot by the relative change. That is, for +5% (ie. 70% increased
to 73.5% critical) multiply by 1.05 or add ln (1.05) to the logarithm of the knot
value. This assumes the number of impacts per mill revolution will not
change. In reality more speed will give more lift and a slightly higher
breakage energy.
The classification model is very simple and only dependent on grate size. The
xm parameter is driven by slurry viscosity. For viscous ores, xm may be up to
1mm. For clean ores (hard rock, clay free) 0.1-0.2mm is typical.
This model has been tested against a large number of full-scale operations
and a very wide range of pilot plant test data. The model has provided good
predictions for design (Morrison, Kojovic and Morrell 1989) over a wide range
of ore types.
Detailed comparison with pilot plant data has highlighted areas where the
model assumptions are not a sufficiently good approximation. Known areas
to treat with caution are as follows.
The assumption that grinding rates are constant at a given ball load is not
true when
there are large variations in mill feed sizing
the mill is taken from open circuit to closed circuit.
Operating Limits
The model is numerically stable at any mill load (equation (A9.9)). Real world
mills typically operate with maximum loads of 30 to 35% by volume of charge.
However, they may be limited by motor power at much lower loads. There is
usually a limit on ball load of 5 to 10% because of mechanical or power
constraints.
It is the engineer's responsibility to check these parameters against the limits
for a particular mill.
Feed Sizing
The auto/SAG model 'forms its load' from the mill feed. If the mill feed size
distribution is smooth (ie. a reasonably straight line on a Rosin-Rammler
plot), simulated variations in feed sizing give sensible results. If the coarse
end of the feed distribution is artificially adjusted for the feed is preclassified
in some way, then the S20 assumption that the load can be treated as a single
number becomes unjustified. Hence artificially adjusted top sizes will cause
the model to predict wide variations in performance.
(While these variations are excessive, it should be noted that real auto mills
are also sensitive to feed top size).
Comminution Models
Model Descriptions
383
Similarly, if those fractions that limit throughput (notional critical size) are
prescreened from mill feed, the model will be optimistic about increased
throughput.
(Once again, real SAG mills will also achieve much higher throughputs).
However, predictions for recycle crusher are quite realistic.
If mill operation is closed with a fine classifier (DSM screen or hydrocyclones)
there is usually an increase in the observed grinding rates at 4mm. This
means a typical SAG mill may have some 'free' grinding capacity for particles
a few millimetres in diameter. Where the simulated mill is operating in closed
circuit with a screen, the circulating load will tend to vary more (and the mill
load less) with changes in hardness and feed sizing than the real mill.
However trends will be correct and overall product sizing should be close.
Mill Power
These have been investigated in some detail at pilot scale. In general, the
harder the ore (low b and low ta) the less the grinding rates are affected. A
soft ore however follows the accepted wisdom that increasing ball load will
produce a coarser product. This may well be because the increased number of
balls are now breaking the ore particles in the load which were doing the fine
grinding.
Discharge Rates
Considerable work has been carried out by Morrell (1990) on factors affecting
discharge rates. These effects are also summarised in Morrell and Morrison
(1989). See A11 for details.
Overall, discharge rates will only become a limiting effect in very high
viscosity ores. In this case, operation at a lower pulp density is recommended.
The SAG mill is an effective pump and the charge will remain relatively 'dry'.
8.2.4.8
The SAG mill model is valid for correctly designed traditional 'high/low' lifter
type action. Wave liners or short lifters do not provide enough lift to achieve
the default rates. If poor lift is combined with poor discharge, the mill only
produces abrasion with a very fine product at a correspondingly low
throughput.
Further
Developments
The JKMRC now has a substantial database of SAG/auto mill surveys and
breakage characteristics. This data base has been used to develop the wider
range variable rates AG/SAG model described in Appendix 11
The autogenous and SAG mill model does not include an explicit maximum
for the mill load. However, a warning will be flagged if the total load (ie. balls
and pulp) exceeds 40% by volume. If the total load exceeds 60% by volume an
error will be flagged and the model calculations will be stopped.
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XM
Rate
Rate
Rate
Rate
Rate
1
2
3
4
5
Parameter Menu
These models are complex and calculation intensive. However, any
computer which is suitable for MS Windows 95/98/NT should be
adequate for AG/SAG model fitting.
In the unlikely event that the fit is slow, the Select list may be used to
restrict the scope of calculation or to fix recycle streams as feed
streams.
Initial Values
Use the grate width and 100 m as initial estimates for xg and xm.
The default breakage rates for auto and SAG will provide a good guess
for each knot value.
For accurate results, these are best derived from tests carried out on
representative samples at JKTech.
For an existing operation, the values provided in the volume of
supplementary information provide some guide to possible values.
Mill Load
Closed Circuit
Operation
Knot Positions
The spline knot positions are better left where they are for the 'normal'
range of SAG mill feed sizings, 80mm < F80 < 250mm. However for very
fine auto mill feeds, the limiting size fraction will also be finer and it may
help to scale down all the knots. That is, reduce them by the same ratio.
An alternative is to simply fix the larger knots at their default values.
Hint: If the closed circuit simulation gives a very different circulating
load, check carefully for size biases in the fit or in the data itself.
Master/Slave Fitting
Comminution Models
Model Descriptions
8.2.4.9
385
References
AUSTIN, L.G., LUCKIE, P.T. and KLIMPEL, R.R., 1984.
The process
engineering of size reduction: Ball Milling, S.M.E/A.I.M.E., NEW
YORK: 561pp.
AUSTIN, L.G., WEYMONT, N.P., PRISBREY, K.A. & HOOVER, M., 1976.
Preliminary results on the modelling of autogenous grinding. 14th Int.
A.P.C.O.M. Conf. The Penn. State Uni.: 207-226pp.
LEUNG, K., 1987. An energy based ore specific model for autogenous and
semi-autogenous grinding. Ph.D. Thesis, unpublished, University of
Queensland.
LEUNG, K., MORRISON, R.D. and WHITEN, W.J., 1987. An energy based ore
specific model for autogenous and semi-autogenous grinding. Copper
87. Chilean Institute of Mining Engineers, Santiago, Chile.
MORRELL, S. 1990. Simulation of bauxite grinding in a semi-autogenous mill
and DSM screen circuit. MEng Thesis, University of Queensland
(unpublished).
MORRELL, S. and MORRISON R.D. 1989. Ore charge, ball load and material
flow effects on an energy based SAG mill model. SAG Conference,
University of British Columbia, Vancouver.
MORRELL, S., NAPIER-MUNN, T.J. and ANDERSEN, J. 1992. The prediction
of power draw in comminution machines. Comminution-Theory and
Practice, K. Kawatra (ed), SME, Chapter 17, pp. 235-247, 1992.
8.2.5
8.2.5.1
Introduction
The model provides a product size distribution with a user specified P80. This
is achieved by adjusting the feed size distribution finer or coarser as required.
The model is useful when there is no process knowledge of upstream
comminution devices, or when a size distribution of a particular size is
required for sensitivity analysis.
8.2.5.2
Model Details
The feed to the model is adjusted by moving it sideways on a Cum % Passing
v size plot until the product P80 matches the specified P80 as closely as
possible.
8.2.5.3
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386
8.2.5.4
JKSimMet V6 Manual
Known Restrictions
The model is limited in its ability to generate a product which is coarser than
the feed by the coarsest screen available in the feed combiner and product
ports. It is always wise to plot and inspect the graph of the feed and product
to ensure that the shape of the distribution is reasonable.
8.2.6
8.2.6.1
Introduction
The Leung AG/SAG model (A9) typically requires a full scale plant or pilot
mill survey combined with ore breakage testing to generate a set of grinding
rates. However research in the mid 1990s using a large database of pilot and
full scale milling tests has lead to the development of a correlation between
model grinding rates and mill operating conditions. A further correlation
between mill feed sizing and ore breakage characteristics has also been
developed. These two correlations now allow mill performance to be predicted
for a wide range of mill sizes and operating conditions. Hence the model can
be used to evaluate optimisation strategies in existing plants and to
investigate (and compare) grinding circuit configurations at the pre-feasibility
stage thus reducing the cost of pilot testing.
The underlying model is still identical with that developed by Leung et al
(1987) except that
grinding rates have been related to mill diameter and operating conditions,
and
A model that includes grate geometry (but does not incorporate pulp lifter
capacity) now describes slurry holdup.
This approach was reported by Morrell and Morrison, 1996.
If you are new to SAG mill modelling, it is strongly recommended that you
work through Appendix 9 (the Leung model) before attempting to use the
Variable Rates model.
The VR model interface has been slightly revised for Version 5 mostly to make
recycle effects easier to specify.
8.2.6.2
Scaling Approach
A large proportion of AG/SAG model users either carry out pilot scale tests
and wish to predict full scale operation or carry out full-scale tests and wish
to predict performance at different operating conditions. The variable rates
model has been implemented to facilitate this scaling process as in the rod
and ball mill models. The variations in rates also depend on recycle and feed
sizing. Hence, this model allows the user to select appropriate streams for
recycle data.
For model fitting, the original and simulated cases will usually be identical.
This is considered in detail in section A11.6.
Comminution Models
Model Descriptions
8.2.6.3
387
-1.25
A-0.5
0.67
D-0.25
(A11.1)
where
Jp
ri ai
rm
ai
ai
rm
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388
JKSimMet V6 Manual
35-140
0-12
0-500
16
No. tests
52
Comminution Models
Model Descriptions
389
Ln (R1) = (k11 + k12 Ln(R2) - k13 Ln(R3) + JB (k14 - k15 F80) - DB )/Sb
(A11.
2)
(A11.
3)
(A11.
4)
(A11.
5)
(A11.
6)
where:
Sa
Sb
DB
JB
Rr
recycle ratio
(tph recycled material_-20+4mm) /
(tph new feed + tph recycled material -20+4mm)
F80
kij
regression coefficients
The regression coefficients for equations (A11.2) - (A11.6) are given below and
are based on the JKMRC current database at mid 1996. As more data are
collected and our understanding of the various factors increases, these
coefficients are likely to be modified.
k1j
k2j
k3j
k4j
k5j
2.504
4.682
1.057
0.397
0.468
3.14
1
1.89
4
0.597
0.327
0.192
0.002
0.008
5
--
0.40
2
4.63
2
---
0.333
0.171
0.001
4
--
0.01
4
0.47
3
0.00
2
--
Regression Coefficients
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JKSimMet V6 Manual
It can be seen from the equations that the finer size rates are functions of the
rates of the coarser sizes. Hence R1 is a function of R2 and R3 etc. The rates
can be considered as falling into 2 groups which represent the grinding media
and product size fractions. Hence the grinding media group contains the
rates R4 and R5 (related to particles >30mm) the magnitude of which affect
the throughput. The product group incorporates rates R1, R2 and R3 (related
to particles < 30mm) and the magnitude of these affects the final product size.
It is of particular note that the rates are interrelated in a complex manner and
are best understood by graphing the entire breakage rate distribution.
8.2.6.5
The effect of changing ball load on the breakage rate distribution is illustrated
in Figure A11.3.
The resulting relationship is as expected in that by increasing the ball load the
breakage rates increase at coarser sizes but reduce at finer sizes. This has the
effect of predicting higher throughputs at coarser grinds as the ball load is
increased. However, it is commonplace to operate at too high a ball charge
often because of historical experience with softer, oxidised, surface ore. As the
ore becomes harder it may well be possible to replace balls with ore as
grinding media for more power effective operation.
Comminution Models
Model Descriptions
Makeup Ball
Size
391
No significant dependence of the breakage rates on ball size was found in the
pilot mill database. The sag model does account for ball size changes in terms
of the energy provided during impact. It does this by changing the mean
grinding media-size, which in turn changes the energy level of the mill. This
energy-level term is used to determine the specific energy of impact. As the
ball size is increased, therefore, the specific energy increases and hence for a
given impact event a finer product size distribution occurs. However, as the
ball size is increased the number of grinding media per tonne of charge will
decrease. As the breakage rate is related to the number of impacts provided by
the grinding media then a reduction in the breakage rate may be expected to
occur. To account for this a ball scaling factor is used. Figure A11.4
illustrates the effect of the ball size correction factor on the breakage rate
distribution.
It should be emphasised that it is usually argued that a coarser ball size will
give a higher throughput but with a coarser grind. In practice, experiments
with full-scale mills are sometimes inconclusive and mill operators see little or
no effect when experimenting with ball size. This may be due to the countereffect of reduced numbers of balls providing higher breakage energies when
increasing ball size. The model predicts such a response by increasing the
breakage energy and reducing the breakage rate. In some instances the one
effect may outweigh the other, in which case a response will be noted. Over
some ranges of ball sizes, however, little or no effect will be seen.
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JKSimMet V6 Manual
The effect of F80 was found to be the most difficult one to evaluate as it
interacted with the ball charge level. At relatively high ball charges (10% or
more) high F80 values were detrimental as evidenced by the reduction in the
breakage rates illustrated in Figure A11.5.
Comminution Models
Model Descriptions
393
Effect of Recycle
Load
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394
JKSimMet V6 Manual
Recycle Control
in V5
For the most part, the Version 5 model is identical with the Variable Rates
SAG model in Version 4. There are, however, a couple of important
differences which relate to control of recycle of 20 +4mm material on the
grinding rates.
As for V4, the User inputs new feed rate tonnes per hour and 80% passing
size for Simulated and Original mills.
Recycle Options In Version 4, there are two implied switches.
The first is Fixed Recycle. If the User inputs a Fixed Recycle tonnage, all
simulations will use this value to calculate the recycle ratio.
Version 5 uses this implied switch as well i.e. the fixed recycle tonnage value
is set to zero to allow for simulated recycle.
The second implied switch in Version 4 is to select one (or more) recycle
streams from the flowsheet. In version 5, this switch is now explicit as Use
Recycle in Calculations. If this switch is set to one, the actual recycle is now
calculated by the model as the difference between 20 +4mm in new feed
(specified by the user) and in the total feed to the SAG mill.
Hence the User uses the Ore Feeder size marker to estimate % -20mm and % 4mm and enters the difference into the appropriate field on the SAG model.
Comment. The effect of recycle has always been difficult to model and it also
the subject of current research. It provides some compensation for recycle
material survivors being likely to be somewhat harder than new feed
particles in the same size fraction.
Comminution Models
Model Descriptions
395
However, if the recycle stream is crushed, new flaws will be generated and the
original feed properties retained. Therefore it is recommended that Use
Recycle . be turned off when a recycle crusher is used, with the following
note of caution. If K1 is larger than 4mm, a proportion of recycle crusher feed
will not be crushed. The bypassed 20 +4mm can be compensated for by
iteratively adding the new 20 +4mm in the crusher product to the new feed
% of 20 +4mm.
Excessive fine recycle may make this model unstable. However, excessive fine
recycle will often make real AG/SAG mills unstable and it a consequence of a
realistic model.
Mill Speed/Mill
Diameter
The breakage rate is related to the number of size reduction events per particle,
per unit time and is hence a frequency. This in turn must be related to the
frequency with which the mill rotates (rpm). A scaling factor is therefore
applied to account for changes in the rotational rate. For a given fraction of
critical speed the rpm decreases with mill diameter0.5 and hence this scaling
factor will also change with mill diameter. All else being equal, therefore, a
larger diameter mill will have a lower breakage rate than a smaller unit.
However it is pointed out that the JKMRC model inherently scales on the basis
of breakage energy which it relates to mill diameter. Therefore, whereas a
larger diameter mill will have a lower breakage rate it will have a higher
breakage energy.
In a given mill as the rpm changes, apart from the rotational rate, the shape of
the grinding charge will also change in line with the fraction of critical speed
(Morrell, 1996). Typically as the fraction of critical speed increases the charge
is subjected to increased lift and hence impact breakage is enhanced. It is at
the expense of attrition breakage which is normally associated with cascading
motion and which is prevalent at lower speeds. To account for these effects a
further scaling factor is applied which is based on the fraction of critical
speed. Figure A11.8 illustrates the predicted changes in the breakage rate
distribution as speed is changed.
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JKSimMet V6 Manual
Mill Power
8.2.6.6
The variable rates model allows the user to specify the conical slope inside the
liners of each mill end. The mill power estimate includes the conical ends
(Morrell, 1996).
Parameters
Fitting Single
Data Sets
Model fitting the variable rates model is quite similar to fitting the Leung
model (A9). The defaults for the original mill grinding rates are all set to zero,
ie. the intercepts of the rate equations (Table A11.2) are included in the model.
Hence the fitted rates indicate how far the measured mill is operating from
typical conditions. The recommend strategy is to first fit xg and xm with
the grinding rate intercepts set to zero. If the mill has pebble ports, set the
initial pebble port size to the largest measured particle in the mill discharge. If
Comminution Models
Model Descriptions
397
the xg and xm fit is plausible, add the pebble port size (PPSize). Use the
measured open areas for pebble ports and grates and the measured weighted
radius/mean relative radial position for the grates. Note that the grate open
area includes grates and pebble ports. The recycle streams are selected from
the unit menu.
The measured recycle rate (-20 +4 mm) should also be entered as data. (When
this field is zero, the calculated recycle is used. This is appropriate for
simulation).
The new feed size (F80) should be noted and entered for both Sim(ulated) and
Org(inal) mills as should all of the other measured mill data.
If the xg, xm and PP (pebble port) size fit is plausible, adjust the scale factors
on Breakage Rate Constants to 0.1 and include them in the next fit.
The open area fractions (Grate OA) can be selected to fit. They are only suited
to matching wear conditions and should not be fitted together with grate or
pebble port sizes as the parameters are likely to interact quite severely.
Given good data and ore characterisation this model will often predict the
measured results quite well and model fitting is very simple.
Remember xg, xm and PP size are all square mesh equivalent sizes.
Therefore, aperture shape and particle shape will interact. A slabby particle
will appear much larger to a square mesh screen than to a slotted grate
aperture!
Fitting Multiple
Data Sets
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JKSimMet V6 Manual
Up to three recycle streams can be selected from the model menu. These
should be recycles which actually go into the mill, eg. Recycle crusher
product, not feed. The Fixed Recycle input should be set to zero for
simulation to allow the calculated flow of -20 +4mm to be used. (Input the
measured flow for model fitting).
Where the material has been recycle crushed, it is considered to have similar
properties to new feed and is not included as -20 +4 mm recycle.
NB: V5 handles recycle loads differently from V4. See pages 106-107 for
details of the differences.
Load Limits
The feed trunnion diameter indicates the maximum volumetric load limit. If
the simulated mill limits at a lower level than the actual mill, reduce this
diameter.
Beyond a certain load, the power model is unlikely to be reliable and the
power estimates are set to zero.
Grate Flow
Limits (Mass
Transfer Law)
Feed Size
Considerations
The F80 values for new feed for both simulated and original mills are entered
by the user.
For design, a reasonable estimate of F80 is often difficult. Power based
equations typically divide by the feed size so the assumption becomes
unimportant but real mills are sensitive to feed sizing as are accurate models.
The JK database shows reasonably systematic dependence of AG/SAG F80
(crusher P80) with all hardness measures. The harder an ore, the coarser the
resulting crusher product at the same crusher closed side setting. The best
correlation is with the JK abrasion parameter ta.
Comminution Models
Model Descriptions
399
For a design case, the F80 of the feed can be estimated from the measured ta
with a standard deviation of about 10% of the primary crusher closed side
setting.
F80 (mm) = { css - 78.7 - 28.4 ln (ta) }
(A11.7)
The size converter model (see Appendix A10) can be used to adjust from a
similar ore to the target range for simulation.
(Note that it is also possible to conduct a test in a pilot adit to estimate the
likely run of mine size distribution. This distribution can be fed to the crusher
model to predict the mill feed distribution. Contact JKTech for assistance with
test blast design.)
The Variable Rates SAG mill model now warns if the simulated void fill
fraction is >=1 and if the simulated load volume is more than 0.3% different
from the measured value
8.2.6.8
Known Restrictions
This model does not take account of the variation in breakage energy at
different mill loads. Therefore pilot and industrial operation should be
measured at realistic operating loads (ie. >20%). As noted earlier, pulp lifter
capacity may limit before maximum grate capacity is reached.
The single number grate characterisation (Mean relative radial position) is a
useful approximation. However, it should be used with actual grate designs,
not hypothetical variations which may not be able to be manufactured. As the
database of very large mills expands, it is becoming apparent that the charge
in a large coarse feed mill restricts the maximum circulating load. Hence for
Comminution Models
400
JKSimMet V6 Manual
mills 11m in diameter (or larger) treating coarse feed, the simulated circulating
load should be restricted to 25% of new feed rate. This can be done by
reducing the grate open area parameter. This is an area of continuing research
at JKMRC.
With the large database of SAG mill test work, it is clear that maximum
throughput does not always correspond to maximum mill power draw or
maximum mill load.
For hard ores, maximum throughput requires sufficient impact energy at the
toe of the charge. Hence the maximum throughput (at maximum discharge
coarseness) will often occur between 20 and 30% volume mill load.
Research at JKMRC is developing models which will account for this effect
and others such as the difficulty of removing pebbles for crushing from very
large mills. For mills of larger diameter than 10m, a maximum recycle crusher
flow of less than 25% of new feed rate is recommended as a constraint on
simulations. (Mills with very fine feed and large grates may exceed this
estimate)
Manipulating the SAG mill feed size distribution by pre-crushing is another
way of shifting the throughput/product relationship for hard ores.
A limitation has been found on the accuracy of the response of the rate
equations to changes in F80, particularly if the new feed F80 is outside the
range of the data base. The recommended F80 for use in the model is
calculated from the equation:
F80 = 71.3 28.4 * ln (ta)
This F80 value should be used as the Reference F80 value on the Recycles tab
in the Variable Rates SAG Model equipment window.
It has also been found that if the aperture of a grate is above 36 mm, then the
grate needs to be modelled as a series of pebble ports because modelling it as a
grate can lead to optimistic throughput predictions by JKSimMet.
As with model 430 there is not an explicit maximum for the mill load.
However, a warning will be flagged if the total load (ie. balls and pulp)
exceeds 40% by volume. If the total load exceeds 60% by volume an error will
be flagged and the model calculations will be stopped.
Comminution Models
Model Descriptions
8.2.6.9
401
Comminution Models
402
JKSimMet V6 Manual
8.2.6.10 References
Ahlberg J H, Nilson, E N & Walsh, J L, 1967. The Theory of Splines and Their
Applications. Mathematics in Science and Engineering, 38, Academic
Press, New York and London
Andersen J S, 1989. Development of a Cone Crusher Model. M.Eng.Sc Thesis,
University of Queensland.
Leung. K, Morrison R D & Whiten W J, 1987. 1987. An Energy Based Ore
Specific Model for Autogenous and Semi-autogenous Grinding Mills.
Copper 87, Santiago Chile.
Morrell, S. 1996. Power Draw of Wet Tumbling Mills and its Relationship to
Charge Dynamics. Part I: A Continuum Approach to Mathematical
Modelling of Mill Power Draw. Trans. Instn. Min.Metall, 105, C43-53.
Morrell S & Stephenson I, 1996. Slurry Discharge Capacity of Autogenous and
Semi-autogenous Mills and the Effect of Grate Design. Int. J. Miner.
Process. (In press).
Morrell S & Morrison R D, 1989. Ore Charge, Ball Load and Material Flow
Effects on an Energy Based SAG Mill Model. Presented SAG 1989,
University of British Columbia. Editors. Mular & Agar.
Comminution Models
Model Descriptions
403
Morrell S & Morrison R D, 1996. AG and SAG Mill Circuit Selection and
Design by Simulation. SAG 96, edited Mular, Barrett and Knight,
Vancouver 769-790.
Mutambo. J, 1993. Further Development of an Autogenous and Semiautogenous Mill Model. M. Eng Sci. Thesis. University of Queensland
(unpublished).
Needham T M & Folland G.V. 1994. Grinding Circuit Expansion at Kidston
Gold Mine. Presented at SME Annual Meeting, Albuquerque, New
Mexico. February 14 -17.
8.2.7
8.2.7.1
Introduction
The high pressure grinding rolls crusher (HPGR) - also known as the roller
press or roller mill - was invented by Klaus Schnert in Germany as an
outcome of his fundamental research on rock fracture (Schnert 1988). The
device has been most widely used in cement clinker grinding in Europe, but is
beginning to find application also in mineral processing. One of the first such
applications was in diamond ore processing in Southern Africa and latterly
in Australia, where it was shown that the device offered some degree of
selective liberation of the diamond from the host rock. However the claimed
advantage for most mineral processing operations is the very high reduction
ratio achieved, and the favourable specific energy consumption, compared to
conventional technologies. Some evidence has also been reported for
downstream benefits such as reduced grinding strength and improved
leachability due to microcracking (Knecht 1994).
Potential applications therefore include preparation of material for fine
grinding, replacement of tertiary crushing, rod milling and primary ball
milling in primary grinding, and the attainment of enhanced leaching
performance. The general principle is illustrated in the figure below.
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JKSimMet V6 Manual
Model Structure
Underlying the structure of the size reduction model are three assumptions
about the inherent breakage mechanisms that occur in HPGRs, as illustrated
in the Figure below.
Pre-crusher
If particles are bigger than a certain critical size they will be broken directly by
the roll faces as would occur in a conventional rolls crusher. The breakage in
this zone can be considered as analogous to a pre-crusher, the products from
which may subsequently pass to a region where a bed under compression has
formed. The boundary between the pre-crusher and bed compression regions
is defined by a critical gap (xc).
Edge Effect
Crusher
Breakage at the edge of the rolls is different to that at the centre and conforms
more to that experienced in a conventional rolls crusher. This is the so-called
edge effect which defines the proportion of relatively coarse particles usually
seen in HPGR products. Its existence has been explained by the pressure
gradient across the width of the roll and the static confinement of the ore at
the edges of the rolls which the cheek-plates provide.
Compressive
Bed Crusher
At some point away from the edges of the rolls, and extending upwards from
the area of minimum gap (xg) to an area bounded by the critical gap (xc), is a
compression zone where breakage conditions are similar to those experienced
in a compressed packed bed.
From a modelling viewpoint these assumptions can be accommodated in the
conceptual structure shown in the figure below. Feed firstly passes to the
pre-crusher. Particles with diameters that exceed the critical gap (xc) are
crushed below this size in a single particle breakage mode. The products from
this breakage then combine with feed particles that are smaller than xc. A
proportion is then diverted to another single particle crusher stage where all
particles greater than the minimum gap (xg) are crushed to below this size.
The remainder are diverted to a compression stage where all particles greater
than xg are crushed below this size but in a compressed bed mode.
Comminution Models
Model Descriptions
405
8.2.7.3
Breakage Processes
HPGR Model
The model contains three breakage processes and one splitting process
between the edge and compressed bed zones. For the breakage processes the
JKSimMet crusher model is used to describe the size reduction. Four model
parameters are required for each breakage process: K1 , K2 and K3 and t10 . The
first three are used to describe the probability that a particle will be broken
whilst the t10 is used to describe the product size distribution that results. For
a detailed model description, refer to the Crusher Models section
Appendix.
t10 Definition
343
of this
The t10 is defined as the percentage passing one tenth of the original particle
size in the product after breakage.
obtained from a product size distribution, eg. t2 is the percentage passing one
half of the original particle size. From breakage tests the t10 and a number of
other tn values are determined from the breakage products. These values are
stored in tabular form in the model which, given a value of t10 , uses spline
interpolation to determine the associated tn values and hence reconstructs the
entire product size distribution.
Pre-crushing
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JKSimMet V6 Manual
xc
0.5 (D + x g ) (D + x g ) -
Dx g
0.5
(A12.1)
is flake density.
In the compressed bed crushing zone on the other hand, size reduction is
assumed to be similar to that experienced by a bed of particles in a piston
press. The parameters used to describe size reduction are determined from
tests in a laboratory or pilot scale HPGR machine combined with breakage
tests in a piston press. The piston press tests provide information on the
relationship between size reduction and energy input in a compressed bed.
They also provide a description of the characteristic shape of the product size
distribution. If the piston press tests are not available, then the results from
the single particle Drop Weight test may be used to determine the Compressed
Bed Breakage Function (see next topic 407 )
The parameter K2 for the compressed bed crushing is the working gap xg,
whilst K1 is set as zero.
The parameters K3 and t10 are fitted to the laboratory scale HPGR test data.
These are the only two breakage parameters required to be fitted to laboratory
data.
Edge Crushing
Bypass
The last sub-process in the model is the split to the edge and compressed bed
zones. The edge zones are associated with the drop in pressure that is
experienced towards the edge of the rolls. Their extent is assumed to be a
function of the working gap. The fraction of feed that is crushed in the edge
zones (f) can therefore be expressed as:
f = g (xg/L)
(A12.2)
where g is split factor and L is the roll length. Using pilot scale HPGR test
results where sizing data of both pure flake and total product were available,
the split factor g was found to be approximately constant with a value of 3.4.
Comminution Models
Model Descriptions
407
In physical terms this means that the edge effect zone extended from the edge
of the roll a distance equivalent to 1.7 times that of the working gap. By sizing
the pure flake and total products from lab/pilot test results, f can be
determined experimentally. Recent work suggests that the fraction of material
being subjected to edge crushing is usually about 10%. Thus, the model may
be simplified by manipulating g (split factor) to ensure that 10% of the feed
reports to the edge crushing zone.
8.2.7.4
t10
t75
t50
t25
t4
t2
10.0
6.05
7.94
12.60
46.70
74.60
20.0
8.33
10.90
17.30
62.60
90.30
30.0
10.0
13.10
20.70
74.50
99.20
t10
t75
t50
t25
t4
t2
10.0
4.04
6.48
7.51
17.65
35.44
30.0
13.53
19.71
22.24
41.35
58.36
50.0
23.02
31.91
38.00
52.37
69.01
It can be clearly seen that these breakage models are different. The power
requirements can also be characterised with particle size dependence if
required and also related to motor power (see the section on Power Draw 410 ).
8.2.7.5
Throughput
Throughput is controlled principally by roll dimensions, speed and profile,
and material characteristics such as size hardness and particle-roll friction
(and thus nip-angle). The profile and material of the roll surface is important
in controlling both wear and machine performance, and various options are
offered by the different manufacturers.
The rolls throughput can be theoretically expressed as
Q = 3600 U L xgf
(A12.3)
where
Comminution Models
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JKSimMet V6 Manual
xgf
Note that equation A12.3 does not take into account the slip between feed
material and the rolls surface, which can be influenced by the feed
characteristics (particle size and size distribution, moisture, etc). The figure
below shows the deviation between measured throughput and throughput
calculated using Equation A12.1 for primary diamondiferous ore treated
through a 100 mm Polysius laboratory scale HPGR. It is obvious that
Equation A12.3 over-predicts the HPGR throughput at high rolls speed,
which may indicate that slip exists in the HPGR operation at these speeds.
To correct for the slip effect it is considered that for a specific feed the slip is a
function of the rolls speed and the relative working gap (dimensionless)
which is defined as xg /D, where D is the rolls diameter.
The figure below plots the correction factor c, (c = Qm/Qc, where Qm is the
measured throughput and Qc is the throughput calculated by Equation A12.3)
versus the product of the speed and the dimensionless gap (U * xg/D) for the
Diamondiferous ore using the laboratory HPGR data. A linear regression on
the plot was obtained and Equation A12.3 was accordingly modified as:
Q = 3600 U L xg
Comminution Models
(A12.4)
Model Descriptions
409
Comminution Models
410
JKSimMet V6 Manual
Figure A12.6 - Prediction of Throughput for Two Pilot Scale HPGRs from
Equation A12.4 with Model Parameter c Calibrated Using Laboratory
Scale HPGR data
Using Equation A12.4 with c determined from Figure A12.5 the throughput's
for a laboratory scale HPGR (D = 0.25 m) and two pilot scale HPGRs (KHD, D
= 0.8 m; Krupp Polysius, D = 0.71 m) were predicted. A comparison between
the calculated and the measured throughput's is given in Figure A12.6. The
rolls speeds varied from 0.29 m/s to 3.1 m/s, rolls length from 0.1 m to 0.21 m,
rolls diameters from 0.25 m to 0.80 m, and working gaps from 3 mm to 23 mm.
Figure A12.6 shows that good prediction of throughput has been achieved by
the model over the wide range of conditions tested.
8.2.7.6
Power Draw
Conventional
Crusher Power
(A12.5)
In the size reduction model the two parameters K3 and t10 were fitted to the
laboratory scale HPGR power data. It was found that the fitted t10 's for 24 sets
of Diamondiferous ore tests under various rolls speeds and feed size
conditions fell on a t10 v Ecs master curve, as shown in Figure A12.7
Equation A12.5 was hence fitted to these data to generate the A, b parameters,
which are used for the scale-up as will be demonstrated in the next section. In
Comminution Models
Model Descriptions
411
JKSimMet, the points for t10 = 10, 30 and 50 are placed in the Compressive
Breakage Specific Community Energy Matrix.
Figure A12.7 - The Fitted t10 vs Specific Energy Ecs for Diamondiferous
Ore Treated through a Laboratory HPGR
Comminution Models
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JKSimMet V6 Manual
Power Draw vs
Working Gap
The prediction of the working gap xg is also required for simulation. The
Working Gap/
Specific Energy
Relationship
The parameters rc and rg in Equation A12.2 405 are functions of feed type,
operating conditions (eg working pressure) and the roll surface (eg smooth,
chevroned, studded). Therefore, provided the pilot scale or the full scale
machines are operating under similar conditions to the laboratory unit, then
xg will be proportional to the diameter of the rolls. The principal dependence
of the working gap will be on the working pressure, with the gap reducing as
the pressure increases. As working pressure is directly related to specific
energy, then it will be found that as the specific energy increases the gap will
decrease. An example of this is shown in Figure A12.9 for Diamondiferous
ore treated through a laboratory machine.
Comminution Models
Model Descriptions
413
8.2.7.7
Comminution Models
414
8.2.7.8
JKSimMet V6 Manual
Using the same feed material as for the pilot/lab HPGR test, laboratory roll
crusher is operated at close to the nipping gap and the working gap of the
HPGR.
343
Comminution Models
Model Descriptions
415
Compressed Bed
Breakage
(t10 HPGR)
Power Model
Fitting
410
).
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JKSimMet V6 Manual
Comminution Models
Model Descriptions
417
determined in the laboratory unit with similar rolls surface on the same type
of ore. The required power is then calculated from the maximum throughput
and the specific energy selected. The model is iterated until the breakage
power, which is the sum of the power used in the three sub-processes of precrushing, compressed bed crushing and edge effect crushing, matches the
required power. The overall product size is then predicted based on the
breakage power.
8.2.7.10 Known Restrictions
Roll Surface
Tests using a Krupp Polysius pilot roll (rolls diameter 0.71 m), with 4 mm
profiles (on the rolls) resulted in a considerably larger working gap than was
observed for the KHD pilot tests using smooth rolls. Therefore, laboratory
tests must be conducted with a rolls surface similar to that proposed on the
full scale machine.
Limited Data
Base
As only limited production scale data were available, the models need to be
further tested and validated against more real data in the future, and their
capabilities explored in case studies.
Power
Coefficient (kp )
8.2.7.11 Nomenclature
Symbol
Meaning
nip angle (degree)
split factor
bulk density of feed (t/m3)
Ecs
split factor
K1,
K3
K2,
kp
power coefficient
Qm
Qc
t10
Comminution Models
418
JKSimMet V6 Manual
xc
xgf
8.2.7.12 Acknowledgements
This model was developed with the financial support of the sponsors of the
AMIRA P428 project (Application of High Pressure Grinding Rolls in Mineral
processing) including the Centre for Mining Technology and Equipment
(CMTE). Considerable assistance was also provided by the staff at KHD and
Krupp Polysius, as well as the staff and students at the JKMRC and CSIRO,
Division of Mineral products.
8.2.7.13 References
Andersen J S and. Napier-Munn T J, 1988. Power prediction for cone crushers.
Proc. 3rd Mill Ops Conf, Cobar, Aus. Inst. Min. Met.
Andersen J S, 1988. Development of a cone crusher model. M. Eng. Sc. Thesis,
University of Queensland (JKMRC).
Fuerstenau D W, Shukla A and. Kapur P C. 1991. Energy consumption and
product size distributions in choke-fed, high compression roll mills.
Int. J. Miner. Process., 32: 59-79.
Kapur P C, 1972. Self - preserving size spectra of comminuted particles. Chem.
Engng. Science, 27: 425-431.
Knecht, J, 1994. High pressure grinding rolls, a tool to optimise treatment of
refractory and oxide gold ores. Fifth Mill Operators Conf. Roxby
Downs, Oct, 51-59 (AusIMM, Melbourne)
Morrell, S, Shi F & Tondo, L. 1997. Modelling and scale-up of High Pressure
grinding rolls. IMPC Aachen.
Morrell S, Lim, W, Shi F and Tondo L. 1997. Modelling of the HPGR crusher.
SME Annual Conference, Denver, Colorado. Comminution Practices
Symposium, Ed Kawatra, 117-126.
Schnert K. 1988. A first survey of grinding with high compression roller
mills. Int J of Min Proc, 22, 401-412.
Schnert K.and Sander, U., 2000. Pressure and shear on the roller surfaces of
high pressure roller mills, Proc. XXI IMPC, Rome, Italy, Sect A4, 97 103.
Tondo L, 1996. Modelling of HPGR crushers.
University of Queensland (unpublished).
Comminution Models
Model Descriptions
8.2.8
8.2.8.1
419
Introduction
The concept of a degradation model has its origins in iron ore and coal
operations where particles may undergo significant size reduction during
mechanical handling such as dropping on to a stock pile from a conveyor or
perhaps at a conveyor transfer point.
8.2.8.2
Model Structure
The model structure is a simple representation of a single drop which results
in the particles being broken to a specified t10 value. The breakage
distribution parameter, t10 , characterises the size distribution of the broken
product. More details of this parameter and the concepts behind it are given
under the heading Crusher Models 346 . The appearance function data
discussed in this section are required for the degradation model and these are
produced as part of the standard JKMRC Drop Weight Test.
Breakage
Distribution
Parameter (t10)
Specific
Comminution
Energy
must be calculated by the user and is generally based on the Energy v Size
Reduction relationship for the particular ore derived from the JKMRC Drop
Weight test.
Ecs = 0.00272 * h
(A13.1)
where:
Energy Size
Reduction
Relationship
Ecs
(A13.2)
where:
t10
Ecs
In most cases, the damage inflicted by a second drop is less than that inflicted
by the first drop. This effect is known as conditioning. Of course, the height
of each drop is important as well as the number of drops.
Effectively, the particles become a little more resistant to impact after each
successive drop. The amount of this effective increase in resistance depends
on the ore type and on the drop heights.
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JKSimMet V6 Manual
The A and b values from the JKMRC Drop Weight test for the example ore are
50 and 0.5 respectively.
For a drop height of 20 m, from equation A13.1:
Ec = 0.00272 * h
s
= 0.00272 * 20
= 0.054 kWh/t
and from equation A13.2
t1 = A * ( 1 exp( - b * Ecs ))
0
The degradation model can be used to represent a lightly loaded Vertical Shaft
Impactor. In this case, the energy of an impact is calculated from the velocity
of the particle imparted by the rotor. This energy must be converted to units of
kWh/t before equation A13.2 can be applied.
For example, for a VSI with a rotor diameter of 0.6 m spinning at 2000 rpm, the
energy imparted to a particle leaving the rotor at its peripheral speed is:
Ec = 0.5 * m * v2 / ( 3600 * m )
s
Comminution Models
Model Descriptions
421
8.2.8.5
Known Restrictions
It is recommended that the ore specific appearance function is measured by a
Drop Weight test rather than using the default values. Although the variation
of the crusher appearance function data in the JKTech data base (of ores
subjected to Drop Weight testing) is not particularly large, ore specific values
will provide better results.
If several drops actually occur, it may be better to simulate these as separate
drops than as a single drop of the total accumulated drop height, particularly
if conditioning is likely.
It should also be noted that ores which are particularly susceptible to
degradation are also likely to be degraded during the process of screening to
determine the size distribution, thus making the size distributions somewhat
doubtful.
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JKSimMet V6 Manual
Index
-Fflowsheet name
-A-
-H-
adding streams
72
AG model
370
hardware key
19
hardware requirements
17
high pressure grinding rolls model
-Bbacking up work
18
backup copy
18
ball mill
perfect mixing model
61
403
-Iinflexion points
72
Installation procedure
361
-C-
-L-
changing circuit
99
circuit performance
99
computer requirements
17
configurable stream overview
courses
19
crusher
343
crusher models
343
cursor
57
loading a project
97
-Ddata collection
230
data entry conventions
81
data structure
51
direction change for streams
display
58
dongle
19
drawing streams
72
-Eefficiency curve
simple
325, 326
splined
328
variable d50c
330
water & fine
326, 327
elemental assay labels
78
ending a session
99
equipment icons
52
equipment items
52
equipment labels
63
example project
18
72
47
100
-Mmaintenance agreements
19
mass balance
17
mass balancing
230
infinite division problem
268
middlings problem
267
metallurgical accounting
268
model building
56
model fitting
17
graphing results
287
printing results
287
problems
291
references
292
models
18, 343
AG
370
ball mill - perfect mixing
361
double deck screen
325
efficiency curve - variable d50c
330
high pressure grinding rolls
403
rod mill
355
SAG
370
simple efficiency - fitting
326
simple efficiency - water & fine
326
simple efficiency - water & fine - fitting
simple efficiency curve
325
single deck screen
317
size converter
385
size degradation
419
splined efficiency - fitting
328
327
Index
models
18, 343
splined efficiency curve
328
variable rates SAG
386
modules
18
mouse
57
-Nnaming streams
nudging
72
18
-Tterminating a session
72
17
17
99
-Uunits - changing
updates
19
-Ooperatiing systems
operating systems
streams
51
structure
18
structured example
78
-V-
-P-
parameters
types
273
preferences
57
project name
61
-W-
-Rredrawing flowsheet
72
restrictions
322, 330, 331, 332
Efficiency Curve Variable D50c
331
Single Deck Screen Model
322
rod mill model
355
routing of streams
72
-SSAG model
370
sample degradation model
419
screen model
double deck
325
single deck
317
selecting a flowsheet
100
Sieve Series
175
simulation
59
results display options
15
simulation window
87
size classes
78
size converter model
385
Standard deviation
231
start up
60
stream data
94
stream data overview
97
2014 JKTech Pty Ltd
window size
60
windows
58
423
424
JKSimMet V6 Manual
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