Free falling rock sizing sensor - Prototype

Trade Agreement: Agreement on Internal Trade (AIT)
Tendering Procedures: All interested suppliers may submit a bid
Attachment: None
Competitive Procurement Strategy: Best Overall  Proposal
Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement: No
Nature of Requirements: 
Free falling rock sizing sensor  - Prototype

Natural Resources Canada, Ottawa, Ontario has a requirement for
the development of a 3-D Free Falling Rock Sizing Photo Sensor
Prototype.  

The mine-to-mill holistic approach is an entire mining and
processing optimization system from the blasting to the
comminution circuit, which attempts in economic and energy
saving opportunities. One of the causes of the low efficiency of
the grinding mill is the high variability of the run-of-mine ore
hardness and size distribution feeding the process. Accurate
measurement of those two perturbations is the first step in
developing process control strategies that will minimise their
impact on mill efficiency.

A number of photo-sensors were developed over the last twenty
years for measuring the size distribution of the ore feeding the
mill. Despite the recognition of some important sampling errors,
most of them were found efficient for measuring ore size
distribution over a conveyor belt and under a controlled light
environment. The challenge is now to measure more accurately the
ore size distribution before crushing.  Accurate measurement of
run-of-mine ore size distribution before crushing is a
requirement for assessing the blast efficiency, for reducing the
sampling error and for developing the rock hardness soft sensor,
which requires an evaluation of the size reduction ratio
achieved by the crusher.

In a previous gap and technical feasibility analysis, three
imaging technologies have been evaluated for this purpose in
collaboration. Laser 3D profiler was identified as the most
promising technology while linear camera was viewed as an
interesting 2-D technology compromise. The objective of the
proposed research work is to build the prototype of a 3-D free
falling rock sizing photo sensor.

All the deliverables must be received on or before 31 March 2014.



Delivery Date: Above-mentioned

The Crown retains the right to negotiate with suppliers on any
procurement.

Documents may be submitted in either official language of Canada.