The partition curve is an important tool to evaluate the separation performance of mineral separators like dense medium cyclones (DMCs). This curve is constructed by float-and-sink (FaS) analysis which involves the use of heavy liquids and suspensions. This traditional technique is hazardous to the environment, laborious, and time-consuming. Here, a new technique using X-ray computed tomography (XCT) scanning was successfully developed and applied for describing the partition curve of a DMC at an Australia-based lead–zinc mineral processing plant. The DMC feed, concentrate and reject streams were sampled and sieved into several size classes. The chemical assays and averaged densities according to each class were analysed by X-ray fluorescence spectrometry and gas pycnometry, respectively. The partition behaviour was investigated by XCT analysis. A model was proposed to determine the mass yield value – an important parameter to define partition curves – by mass balance and reconciliation, which is generally unknown during the sampling of continuous separation processes. From the reconstructed XCT images, we obtained detailed information on individual particles such as volume, surface area, mass, and density. Cumulative mass distribution curves and partition curves of the DMC for different size classes were then constructed and agreed with the FaS analysis. Using the XCT technology can help overcome the issues of the traditional FaS analysis. Moreover, this technology would allow for evaluating DMC separation efficiency with continuous, online, and real-time monitoring and control.

分配曲线是评估重介质旋风分离器 (DMC) 等矿物分离器分离性能的重要工具。该曲线是通过浮沉 (FaS) 分析构建的，该分析涉及使用重液体和悬浮液。这种传统技术对环境有害，费力且耗时。在这里，成功开发了一种使用 X 射线计算机断层扫描 (XCT) 扫描的新技术，并应用于描述澳大利亚铅锌矿加工厂 DMC 的分配曲线。对 DMC 进料、浓缩物和废料流进行取样并筛分为几个大小级别。分别通过 X 射线荧光光谱法和气体比重瓶分析根据每个类别的化学测定和平均密度。通过 XCT 分析研究了分区行为。提出了一个模型来确定质量屈服值——定义分配曲线的一个重要参数——通过质量平衡和协调，这在连续分离过程的采样过程中通常是未知的。从重建的 XCT 图像中，我们获得了单个粒子的详细信息，例如体积、表面积、质量和密度。然后构建不同尺寸等级的 DMC 的累积质量分布曲线和分配曲线，并与 FaS 分析一致。使用 XCT 技术可以帮助克服传统 FaS 分析的问题。此外，该技术将允许通过连续、在线和实时监测和控制来评估 DMC 分离效率。