Saint Petersburg National Research University of Information Technologies, Mechanics and Optics (ITMO University) (Russia):

Alekhin A. A., Assistant, Postgraduate, alekhin.a.a@mail.ru

Gorbunova Ye. V., Ph. D. in Engineering Sciences, Senior Researcher, gorbunova@grv.ifmo.ru

Korotayev V. V., Doctor of Engineering Sciences, Professor, Head of Chair, korotaev@grv.ifmo.ru

Pavlenko N. A., Assistant, Postgraduate, nikfiz@mail.ru

The article describes a research facility for solid minerals ores optical sorting process studies with material size of 5–25 mm and below, material feed rate being 1–2 m/s. The research facility is distinguished by modular design and flexible data analysis and control algorithm. Modular construction permits to adapt measuring circuit to a studied ore type through changes in mutual arrangement of main units: material transport, analysis zone illumination and mineral pieces registration. The control and analysis algorithm, implemented in the LabVIEW medium, provides for detailed analysis of moving mineral pieces images, as well as for development of approaches with respect to their separation. The experimental studies permitted to reveal possible negative (from the viewpoint of subsequent processing) aspects in obtained mineral pieces images: appearance of shadow zones and image linear distortion caused by incorrect camera and transport belt synchronization. It was established, that special light sources are required to provide for uniform illumination in analysis zone. As a specific task in minerals separation, solved by means of the research facility in question, a mix of quartz and fluorite particles of 1–2 mm size was subjected to optical sorting, and the results are presented. Selective threshold criteria were determined for three color models: RGB, Yuv and HLS.

The work was performed with the financial aid from the Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation (government order, project No. 8.599.2014/K).

1. Obzor almazodobyvayushchey otrasli Rossii (Overview of the diamond industry in Russia). Information-Analytical Agency Advisers. URL: http://www.advisers.ru/file/advisers/almaz.pdf (Page hit 27.04.2014).
2. Kobzev A. S., Alushkin I. V., Olkhovskiy А. М., Tolmachev G. F., Shilkin А. М. The results of pilot-scale testing of the Konevinskoye deposit gold-bearing ore preliminary beneficiation by photometric sorting. Obogashchenie Rud, 2014, No. 2, pp. 10–14.
3. Ryabkin V. K., Litvintsev E. G., Tikhvinskiy A. V., Karpenko I. A., Pichugin A. N., Kobzev A. S. Polychromic photometric separation of gold-bearing ores. Gornyi Zhurnal = Mining Journal, 2007, No. 12, pp. 88–93.
4. Ryabkin V. K., Cheprasov I. V., Tikhvinskiy A. V. Studies to assess the technology for processing of ferrous and alloy metals using polychromatic photometric method of separation. Pt. 1. Gorny Informatsionno-Analiticheskiy Byulleten (nauchno-teknicheskii zhurnal) = Mining Informational and Analytical Bulletin (Scientific and Technical Journal), 2013, No. 11, pp. 82–89.
5. Reinhardt C. The Use of a Mogensen Sizer and MikroSort Optoelectronic System in Aluminium Production. Aufbereitungs-Technik, 2002, Vol. 43, No. 7, pp. 11–16.
6. Optical Sorting. Murre Techniek Company. 2012. URL: http://www.murre.nl (Page hit 27.04.2014).
7. Color Vision System. Colour Vision Systems Pty Ltd. 2012 г. URL: http://www.cvs.com.au (Page hit 27. 04. 2014).
8. Wahab D. A., Hussain A., Scavino E., Mustafa M. M., Basri H. Development of a prototype automated sorting system for plastic recycling. American Journal of Applied Sciences, 2006, Vol. 3, Iss. 7, pp. 1924–1928.
9. Dehler M. Optical sorting of ceramic raw materials. Tiles and Bricks International, 2003, Vol. 19, No. 4, pp. 248–251.
10. Zol Bahri Razali. Conceptual design of an automated green technology sorting device for mixed household waste. Advances in Environmental Biology, 2013, Iss. 7(12), pp. 3681–3689.
11. Alekhin A. A., Gorbunova Ye. V., Korotayev V. V., Olkhovskiy A. M., Petukhova D. B., Chertov A. N. Optical-electronic system for rapid analysis of mineral raw materials by color sorting method. Izvestiya Vuzov — Priborostroenie, 2013, Vol. 56, No. 11, pp. 15–23.
12. Chertov A. N., Gorbunova Ye. V., Korotaev V. V., Serikova M. G., Peretyagin V. S. Simulation of the multicomponent radiation source with the required irradiance and color distribution on the flat illuminated surface. Optical Modelling and Design II. Proceedings of SPIE, 2012, Vol. 8429, p. 84290D.
13. Krivosheyev M. I., Kustarev A. K. Tsvetovyye izmereniya (Сolorimetric measurement). Moscow, Energoatomizdat, 1990. 240 p.
14. Pat. 2468345 Russian Federation.