China Clay and Kaolin Slurry Density Measurement
Define a continuous slurry-density duty for china clay and kaolin processing, from classification to dewatering.
Make the clay stream and decision specific
China clay, also called kaolin, is an established Cornish mineral industry. Washing, classification, transfer and thickening can each produce a different slurry and operating range. A useful density measurement therefore starts with the selected stream, its solids distribution and the action an operator will take. Rhosonics has published mineral-washing examples, but those do not constitute a kaolin-specific performance claim.
Representative Rhosonics mineral-slurry analyser image; this is not a claimed Cornish installation.
Review the kaolin processing points
Avoid treating the entire clay plant as one measurement duty.
Washing and dispersion
Record the feed source, water addition and whether the slurry is fully mixed before the proposed measurement point.
Classification
Assess cyclone or separator feed and the relationship between slurry density, flow and cut-point decisions.
Thickening
Review underflow density, pumping and downstream dewatering requirements separately from dilute process streams.
Material variation
Document particle-size distribution, mineral content, additives, air and changes between production campaigns.
A practical measurement review pathway
Move from a broad process idea to a defined, testable duty before using the signal for decisions.
Select a stream
Choose one line and identify the process decision it represents.
Define the range
Collect density, solids, temperature and hydraulic conditions across normal and upset operation.
Engineer the fitting
Check liner, pipe geometry, pressure, abrasion and service access.
Prove the calibration
Use representative samples and operating events before a density signal is used for control.
Where the measurement adds value
Set out both the useful signal and its limitations before specifying the instrument.
Operational value
A validated online trend can expose changes between laboratory samples and help operators interpret classification or thickener behaviour alongside flow and other process data.
Important boundary
The suitability of SDM ECO for a particular kaolin stream is not established by the existence of a Cornish industry or a case study on another mineral. PMA must assess composition and validation evidence for the actual site.
Sources and application boundary
The sources below establish the measurement context; they are not evidence of a PMA installation at your site. Final suitability depends on the actual material, operating range, installation and representative validation.
Search every application
Use the Application Finder to search process measurement guidance by material, duty or analyser. Explore the mining and mineral processing library and the SDM ECO analyser.
To contact us, or to request a callback, simply use the form below and we will promptly get back to you.
We greatly value all of the inquiries which our products and services generate and we are very confident that we will have the right solution available for you at the first point of contact when you reach our experienced team of engineers.
We're here to help.
Whether you need a callback or have a highly technical question to ask, our expert staff are always on hand. Our focus has always been to deliver world-class customer service.