An Investigation of Seasonal Performance Variations in Taconite Plants

Abstract

The objective of this study was to analyze several sets of historical data representing winter and summer conditions using conventional and simulation tools to provide a better understanding of the cause, and to come up with ideas to alleviate the problem. The Coleraine Minerals Research Lab had historical plant data representing summer and winter conditions in a taconite plant. Two parallel lines (Lines 10 and 13) in the Minntac Plant were sampled during the winter and summer of 1995. Data included size structures of the streams in the magnetic separation circuit and head chemistries. However, limited information about the operating conditions was available. Particularly, certain essential data were missing, namely, prevailing hydrocyclone geometry and complete operating conditions during the summer sampling surveys. Nevertheless, it was anticipated that a simulation-aided analysis of this database could still reveal possible causes of performance deterioration during winter months, and could provide clues for performance enhancement to alleviate this negative effect.