CONNECTION BETWEEN X-RAY RADIOMETRIC SEPARATION INDICATORS AND THE SIZE OF SORTED FRACTIONS
Research subject and aim. The method of X-ray radiometric separation using surface indicators of separation requires observance of certain processing methods of preparing raw material for separation, especially singling out the sorted fractions out of the initial material. Various distributions of mineral phases lump content, separated lumps mineralization character, the applied geometry of measuring X-ray characteristics of lumps during separation, and correlation between material granulometric characteristics parameters and measuring system elements influence the effectiveness of separation when setting the borders of the sorted fractions. The aim of the research is to investigate into the influencec of the sorted fractions borders and the quantity of these fractions under various distributions of mineral phases lump content in the raw material on the effectiveness of separation. Methodology. In order to get common regularities in the connections between raw material characteristics and the sorted fractions required borders, simulation model is used which considers granulometric composition, distribution of mineral phases content in ore lumps, the characteristics of an ultimate separator and allowing to forecast separation technological characteristics. Research results and application area. Partition curves for various sorted grain-size fractions and density of distribution of mineral phases content in ore lumps are the simulation results. If actual raw material is assigned to any type of the list of examined at simulation, the forecasts of separation technological indices under various borders of the sorted fractions can be carried out, and the required number and borders of the sorted fractions can be chosen. Conclusions. The character of lump distribution of mineral phases content influences the effectiveness of separation and the possibility of obtaining poor tailings under various width of the sorted fractions. During scheme development (sorted fractions number and the borders selection) the character of lump distribution of mineral phases content should be taken into account.