SCIAM Worldwide has introduced what is says is “an innovation set to transform density measurement of slurries within the mining industry.” The in-line, continuous density meter, DM3, calculates density by measuring direct mass over a known volume within a flow tube. By directly calculating density rather than inferring or estimation, this technology improves the accuracy, value for money and environmental viability of sensor and mass flow systems, says SCIAM. The company says that DM3 “has proven to be safer and more cost effective than hazardous nuclear techniques or inefficient auto-sampling within any slurry processing operation.”

The DM3 “effortlessly measures abrasive media thanks to its highly resilient gum-rubber lined flow tube with customisable options for high pressure and extreme temperature applications.” Designed for optimal use within mining applications, the DM3 is insensitive to plant vibrations, noise, vacuum and temperature. Continuous readings of the slurry occur 110 times per second with a 45 millisecond data response time giving a truly representative sample of production volume and efficiency data.

An example of the density measurement system’s use is the calculation of % dry solids of zircon slurry in the north of Florida as well as the density of phosphate sludge in a leading phosphate mine. By replacing nuclear density meters and auto samplers, early adopters benefit from an increase in accuracy of more than 2.5% which SCIAM says has resulted in millions of dollars of savings and “an immeasurable increase in safety and efficiency.” Each unit is custom designed and manufactured within the
US and distributed globally. Certified by CE, UL, NTEP and IECEE with directly NIST traceable measurements, SCIAM believes that the technology is positioned to be “the industry’s leading density measurement instrument.”