China Clay and Kaolin Slurry Density Measurement

Define a continuous slurry-density duty for china clay and kaolin processing, from classification to dewatering.

Discuss your application
UK mineral processing guide

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.

PMA engineer documenting slurry-process observations at a mineral-processing sampling station.

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.

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