Altair Solutions for Mineral Processing
Mineral processing is the process of extracting valuable minerals from ore, a naturally occurring material that contains minerals in a concentrated form. The process involves crushing, grinding, and separating the minerals from the ore. Altair's Discrete Element Method (DEM) and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulation tools are powerful tools that can be used to optimise mineral processing operations.
DEM simulation is used to model the behaviour of particles in mineral processing equipment such as crushers, mills, and classifiers. It can be used to predict the behaviour of particles in the equipment and optimise the equipment design to improve efficiency and reduce wear. DEM simulations can also be used to study the effect of particle size, shape, and density on the performance of the equipment.
CFD simulation is used to model the behaviour of fluids in mineral processing equipment such as hydro cyclones, flotation cells, and thickeners. It can be used to optimise the design and operation of this equipment to improve the efficiency of the separation process. CFD simulations can also be used to study the effect of fluid flow rate, pressure, and viscosity on the performance of the equipment.
Altair's DEM and CFD simulation tools can be used together to simulate the behaviour of particles and fluids in mineral processing equipment. For example, a CFD simulation can be used to model the flow of water and air in a flotation cell, while a DEM simulation can be used to model the behaviour of the particles in the cell. The simulations can be combined to optimise the design and operation of the flotation cell to improve the separation efficiency.
Altair's simulation tools can also be used to study the effect of operational parameters on the performance of mineral processing equipment. For example, the effect of the speed of a crusher on the particle size distribution can be studied using DEM simulation. Similarly, the effect of the flow rate and pressure in a hydrocyclone can be studied using CFD simulation.
In conclusion, Altair's DEM and CFD simulation tools are powerful tools that can be used to optimise the design and operation of mineral processing equipment. They can be used to study the behaviour of particles and fluids in the equipment and optimise the equipment design to improve efficiency and reduce wear. The simulations can also be used to study the effect of operational parameters on the performance of the equipment.
Altair EDEM BulkSim – Conveyors and Chutes
Engineering and conveyor system equipment manufacturers need to ensure that the performance of production-critical conveyor transfer equipment meets operational needs and productivity targets to remain competitive now and in the future.
By deploying EDEM BulkSim as part of their design processes, our users can realise the following:
- Increase productivity of new and existing bulk materials transfer equipment
- Improve reliability and reduce operating costs
- Add value to your engineering deliverables by allowing sensitivity and what-if analysis to be performed
- Reduce assumptions required during design, especially for increasingly cohesive ores and higher throughputs
Increase productivity across design teams – less experienced engineers can take on more challenging design problems
Altair EDEM DEM – Processing Equipment
Bulk materials play a crucial role in determining equipment performance and process efficiency. For instance, the performance of a bucket excavator is heavily dependent on the bulk material being handled, influencing everything from hydraulic forces to power delivery. Such loads affect the system of components that make up the machine, making it essential to understand how a design would perform in a particular material environment. Predicting and optimising such processes is vital for manufacturing plants to operate successfully and profitably.
Altair AcuSolve CFD
Altair AcuSolve is an indispensable tool for anyone looking to access the flow through mineral processing equipment. You can view pumps, tanks, and hydro cyclones with ease, which is incredibly beneficial. The CFD solution can be combined with DEM to better understand mixed air, fluid, and particle flow in equipment like mills, making it an invaluable resource for those working in this field.
