NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

DEPARTMENT OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING

TCE 3103 – MINERALS ENGINEERING 1A
TUTORIAL 04

Qn. 1

With the aid of a flow diagram describe

(i) open circuit grinding [5]
(ii) closed circuit grinding [5]

c) Based on your analysis of these two methods explain why closed circuit grinding is the
most common method used in mineral processing. [4]

Qn. 2

The cyclone overflow line is instrumented with a magnetic flowmeter and nuclear density
gauge, and the mass of dry ore fed to the flotation cells is 25t/h. The feed from the fine ore
bins is found to contain 5% moisture. The cyclone feed contains 33% solids, the cyclone
underflow 65% solids, and the overflow 15% solids.

Calculate the circulating load on the circuit and the amount of water required to dilute the
ball mill discharge. [6]
Qn. 3

A crushed sample of quartz was fed to a screening operation, the nominal aperture size of
the screen was 2mm. The feed contained 35% minus 2mm size. After screening the oversize
fraction contained 10% of minus 2mm size and the undersize fraction contained 82% minus
2mm size. Determine the efficiency of the screen. [4]

Qn. 4

A laboratory hydro cyclone is fed with a slurry of quartz (𝜌 = 2650kg/m3) at a pulp density of
1130 kg/m3. The underflow has a pulp density of 1280 kg/m3 and the overflow 1040 kg/m3.
A 2 litre sample of underflow was taken in 3.1 s. Calculate the mass flow rate of feed to the
cyclone. [5]

Qn. 5

Using the Stokes equation calculate the diameter of a coal particle (specific gravity of 1.4)
that would settle in water at the same rate as a 40μm diameter quartz particle (specific
gravity of 2.65) settling in water.
[4]

Qn. 6

Particle sizing in mineral processing plants can be achieved either by the use of
industrial screens or classifiers. Identify conditions under which each method is
used and explain why? [4]

Qn. 7

Hydro cyclones are widely used in the mineral processing industry for classification
of fine particles, state and explain two factors which affect the cut size and
classification efficiency. [5]