A ROBUST SIDE-STREAM RHEOMETER DEVELOPED FOR FULLY AUTOMATED, CONTINUOUS MONITORING AND ANALYSIS OF VISCOELASTIC PROPERTIES OF NON-NEWTONIAN SLURRIES.
Why
ViscoSight™?
Real-Time Rheology Monitoring: Provides continuous rheological parameters such as Bingham Plastic Yield Stress, plastic Viscosity, Herschel-Bulkley indexes - flow behaviour (n) and consistency (k) in addition to relative Deposition Limit Velocities for non-Newtonian slurries.
Representative of Site Conditions: As near as possible in-process conditions, unlike offline laboratory testing.
Avoids Process Upsets: Rheological changes that precede process upsets, such as blockages, pump overloads, and erosion of beach slopes, can be detected early enough to act on.
Improves Efficiency: Live rheological data allows pumps, pipelines, and process systems to be operated closer to their optimum capacity.
Portable Design: Benchmark testing methodology packaged in a compact, fully autonomous format, ready for site deployment.
HOW IT WORKS
Connects to the process via a bypass line, continuously diverting a side stream of slurry through a measurement loop.
Pumps the slurry through two pipe sections of different diameters at varying flow rates, measuring pressure drop at each condition.
The proprietary RheologiX™ algorithm converts these measurements into a complete rheological profile.
The non-Newtonian parameters can then be integrated with the site's control systems.
“SHIFT FROM REACTIVE TO PROACTIVE SLURRY MANAGEMENT.”
OPERATIONAL INSIGHTS WITH VISCOSIGHT™
Ore Extraction and Feed Slurry Transport | Crushed Ore Slurry
Adjust water addition or pump speeds to maintain optimum flow under varying ore conditions, preventing pipeline blockages and pump overloading.
Grinding and Classification | Mill Discharge Slurry
Adjust water flow, mill speed, & cyclone feed pressure to maintain consistent grinding efficiency and classification performance.
Screening and Desliming | Clay Rich Slurry
Trigger spray water or dispersant addition precisely when viscosity rises, preventing screen blinding & reducing excessive dilution.
Reagent and Chemical Conditioning | Fine Particle Slurry
Provides a much clearer picture of when the slurry is becoming too structured (high yield stress) or too thick to allow proper mixing.
Flotation Circuits | Fine Particle Slurry
Adjust air rates, frother addition, or impeller speeds when viscosity rises to maintain bubble-particle interaction & protect recovery.
Gravity Separation | Dense Medium Slurry
Adjust medium density, wash water, and feed rate in real time to maintain stable separation under variable ore and fines loading.
Thickening and Paste Preparation | Underflow & Tailings Slurry
Control flocculant dosing, underflow pump rates, and rake speed based on live yield stress data for consistent paste quality and improving water recovery.
Filtration and Dewatering | High Viscosity Pre-filter Slurry
Pre-condition slurry through dilution or dispersant adjustment before filtration to improve drainage rates and achieve consistent cake quality.
Tailings Transport and Deposition | Thick Tailings Slurry
Optimise pipeline velocity, pump power, and dilution through automated measurement cycles to prevent blockages and ensure consistent beach slope and deposition behaviour.
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