ST50 and ST100 flow meters for coal flotation systems

Accurate air/gas flow measurement helps control air/bubble production for coal flotation systems, writes Fluid Components International.

Mining engineers who need accurate air/gas flow measurement to control bubble production for froth flotation equipment to separate minerals will find the precision ST50 and ST100 air/gas mass flow meters from Fluid Components International (FCI) provide high accuracy with virtually no maintenance.

Froth flotation equipment separates minerals from pulverised ore slurries based on the difference in the hydrophobicity of the minerals and waste material. In mining mills, compressed air or nitrogen gas is flowed into froth flotation cells to create a floating frothy liquid layer, which separates lighter minerals from heavier waste. This process depends on air/gas flow measurement to control the size and flow of the bubbles.

FCI’s ST50 and ST100 series of mass air/gas flow meters are calibrated for superior accuracy in FCI’s NIST-approved Calibration Laboratory. Their thermal dispersion mass flow sensors and rugged packaging are ideal for dirty industrial environments, including the mining of minerals, metals, phosphates, coal and more.

ST50 flow meter series

Designed specifically for compressed air and nitrogen flow applications, the FCI ST50 air/gas flow meter series is an accurate, easy to install, no moving parts mass flow meter solution. They provide direct mass flow measurement and process temperature, resulting in higher performance at a lower cost than many other flow sensing technologies.

The ST50 flow meter comes with two standard calibrations including one for air or nitrogen flow rates between 1.25 tand 125 SFPS (0.4 to 38 NMPS) in service pressures between 10 to 50 psia (0.7 bar[a] to 3.5 bar[a]) and one for compressed air, air or nitrogen flows between 4 to 400 SFPS (1.2 to 122 NMPS) in service pressures between 50 to 165 psia (3.5 bar[a] to 11.4 bar[a]). Custom calibrations are also available.

The ST50 Flow Meter’s all stainless steel element with Hastelloy-C tips, provides protection from invasive conditions within the pipe and ensures a long service life. The electronics are housed in an all-metal NEMA 4X (IP67) rated enclosure for ruggedness and dust/weather proof service in industrial plant installations.

The ST50 flow meter’s transmitter provides dual 4-20 mA analog outputs, which are field assignable as flow rate or temperature. Flow rate is selectable for reading in standard volumetric or mass flow engineering units. Optionally available as a third output, is a 0-500 Hz pulse output of total flow. In all models a standard RS232C serial I/O link is provided for instrument configuration and access to service/troubleshooting data.

ST100 flow meter series

The ST100 series flow meter is ideal for mass flow measurement with highly automated mining operations. Communication options include 4-20 mA analog, frequency/pulse or certified digital bus communications such as HART, Foundation Fieldbus, Profibus PA or Modbus RS485.

For ease of view, the ST100 flow meter features a graphical, multivariable, backlit LCD display/readout. It provides local information with a continuous display of all process measurements and alarm status, as well as service diagnostics.

Designed for accurate air/gas measurement, the ST100 Flow Meter stores up to five calibration groups to support a broad flow range, differing same gas mixtures, multiple gases, with a range of flow far in excess of 100:1. An on-board data logger is included with a removable 2-GB micro-SD memory card to store process flow data.

The ST100 can be factory calibrated for air, nitrogen or virtually any process gas. The insertion style air/gas meter features a thermal flow sensing element that measures flow from 0.25 to 1000 SFPS (0.07 NMPS to 305 NMPS) with accuracy of ±0.75% of reading, ±0.5% of full scale.

Designed for rugged mining and other industrial applications, the ST100 Flow Meter operates at up to 850ºF (454ºC) and is available with both integral and remote (up to 1000 ft [300 m]) electronics versions. The entire instrument is agency approved for hazardous environments. The enclosure is rugged, NEMA 4X/IP67 rated. Approvals include SIL-1, ATEX, IECEx, FM and FMc.

Written by Fluid Components International. Edited by Jonathan Rowland

Read the article online at: https://www.worldcoal.com/product-news/04062014/fluid_components_international_st50_and_st100_flow_meters_for_coal_flotation_systems_coal934/