LTM-2 Slurry Level Measurement Probe

Bill Hancock, PE, RM, QP, FAusIMM Zeroday Enterprises, LLC

www.ZerodayLLC.com

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Zeroday Enterprises Background

Ø  Zeroday Enterprises, LLCØ  Wilsonville, Oregon USA headquartersØ  Founded 2001Ø  Business focuses:

§  Global: Chemical mix-equipment systems§  Western Hemisphere: LTM-2 probe, peristaltic pumps§  North America: exclusive LTM-2 probe reseller§  Alaska, Pacific NW, Intermountain West: flocculants, coagulants

Ø  President, Bill Hancock:§  Metallurgist, process engineer§  42 years mineral process operating/research and executive

experience§  International technical consultant, primarily flotation and water

treatmentØ  Selling LTM-2 probes since 2013

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What is LTM-2 Probe?

Ø  LTM-2 measures liquid level, ignoring froth on top of the liquid

Ø  Level Transmitter for Mining, second generation � LTM-2Ø  Probe technology originally developed for beverage industryØ  LTM-2 was specifically adapted to mineral slurry applicationsØ  LTM-2 is an electro-potentiometric measurement deviceØ  Slurry/water is conductive, able to transmit an electrical

currentØ  Highest water level is measured using resistance principlesØ  No moving parts, completely electronic detectionØ  Able to handle mineral solids build up on probe, as well as,

soft scaleØ  Effective in flotation cells and sumps

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Operating Principle

Ø  The rod is a variable resistor

Ø  Conductive loop from the rod tip to the grounded top

Ø  Analogous to a potentiometer

Ø  Electrical circuit created between bottom rod tip to the top at the reference rod threaded into bracket connection (0 v) when probe is in water (slurry)

Ø  Measurement of rod resistance that equates to water level 5

Why the LTM-2 Transmitter?

Ø  Core function: LTM-2 designed specifically to ignore froth/foam

Ø  LTM-2 technology:§  New technology, approach§  Resistance§  Conductivity§  Capacitive (solely for slurry

present detection)§  Unaffected by slurry density

variations§  No moving parts§  Two wire device for power and

4-20 ma signal

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Competitive Product Comparisons

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Positive Impact Negative Impact Moderate Impact

Factor LTM-2Ultrasoni

c Radar

Guided Wave Radar Capacitive DP [1]

Magneto-strictive

Pressure Diff,

BubblerMechanical moving parts required No Yes [1] Yes [1] No No No Yes NoEasy, quick setup/ calibration Yes Dep [2] Dep [2] Dep [2] Dep [2] No Yes NoAccuracy level High High [2] High [2] High [2] High [2] High [2] Mod [2] Mod [2]Measurement repeatability High High [2] High [2] High [2] High [2] High Mod [2] HighInstantaneous, continuous reading Yes Mod Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes YesSignal dampening required No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes YesRegular calibration required No Yes [1] Yes [1] Yes [2] Yes [2] Yes [2] Yes [2] Yes [2]Regular cleaning required No Yes [1] Yes [1] Yes Yes Yes Yes YesAffected by slurry density No Yes [1] Yes [1] Yes Yes Yes Yes YesAffected by air volume in slurry Yes [3] Yes [3] Yes [3] No No Yes [2] Yes YesRequires heavily modified bracket No Yes [1] Yes [1] Dep [2] No No [2] No [2] No [2]Anchor requirement No No No Yes Dep [2] Yes [2] Yes Dep [2]Ball boyancy, stability impacts No Yes [1] Yes [1] No No No Yes [2] No

Solids build up impact device/ bracket No Yes [1] Yes [1] Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes [1] Typical - most often use indirect measurement method such as a ball float-striker plate design[2] Depends (Dep) on application factors[3] High Volume air and frother changes bubble density (creates a second interface), if air volume is too high, this interface can affect the signal

LTM-2 Benefits

Ø  Highly accurate slurry level measurementØ  Probe ASTM 316/316L stainless steel, no corrosionØ  Near instantaneous measurement, allows real time level

controlØ  0.1% measurement accuracy, 1% linearity (under specific

conditions)Ø  Not affected by solids buildup and variable slurry % solidsØ  Easy installationØ  No moving partsØ  IP 69K rating, suitable for most difficult conditions

IMPROVED FLOTATION LEVEL CONTROL: � HIGHER RECOVERIESIMPROVED CYCLONE FEED SUMP CONTROL: � LESS PARTICLE SIZE VARIATION = IMPROVED METALLURGY

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Technical Specifications

Item ValueProcess Connection G 1½ inchMaterials of Construction Head: 304 SS

Rod: 1.4404 (ASTM 316/316L) or 1.4539 (ASTM UNS NO8904)

Temperature Range -10⁰ to 100⁰ C (Max 140⁰ C)Accuracy < 1%Linearity 1%Supply Voltage 18-36 VDCElectrical Connection 2 wireOutput 4-20 maCurrent Consumption ≥ 25 maProtection Class IP 69K with M12 plug

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Findings and Trends

Ø  Lower amplitude signal, more accurate controlØ  True reflection of slurry level (no stickiness)Ø  Fast response timeØ  Little operator intervention and maintenance requiredØ  No signal damping required

Red Line = LTM-2 Green line = ball-float ultrasonic

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Findings and Trends (cont.)

Red line = LTM-2 probeGreen line = Ball-float ultrasonic

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Findings and Trends (cont.)

Red line = LTM-2 probeGrey line = Ball-float ultrasonic

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Findings and Trends (cont.)

Red line = LTM-2 probeGrey line = Ball-float ultrasonic

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Installation Photos

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LTM-2 Bracket

Ø  Bracket provides:§  Probe stability§  Conductive measurement circuit§  Some probe protection

Ø  Required:§  For probe lengths > 1000 mm§  When application has intense agitation§  Tanks are rubber lined, coated that prevents electrical reference

currentØ  Construction:

§  304 Stainless Steel (Optional 316 S/S and SAF 2205)§  Bottom bar keeping probe in place Vesconite, non-conductive

thermopolymer

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Bracket Pics

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Bracket Installation

Ø  Attachment to plant support structure

Ø  Movable attachment tab for adjustment

Ø  Provides sufficiently solid installation

Ø  Do not need to electrically ground bracket; in fact grounding has given unstable/erroneous readings at some customers

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Major Customer List

Ø  Iron ore mill:§  23 pebble mill cyclone feed sumps§  Vacuum disc filter tub evaluation (total 48)

Ø  Silver-lead-zinc mill§  Over 55 probes replacing flotation cell ball-float ultrasonic

devices in float cells, ultrasonics in sumps§  Beginning evaluations at another company mine

§  Copper mill:§  Over 150 probes in flotation cells and sumps

Ø  Platinum group metal mill:§  80 +/- probes in flotation cells

Ø  Platinum group metal mill:§  60 +/- probes in flotation, sumps

Ø  Positive evaluations proceeding in potash, smelter slag flotation

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Product Pricing

Ø  Only variable is probe length (1000-3000 mm length, in 100 mm increments)

Ø  Manuals available to support customer probe length determination, Zeroday may be directly consulted on establishing length requirement

Ø  Standard international prices has been establishedØ  Generally a bracket is required for each probe installed

§  Stabilizes, protects probe§  Provides probe reference current§  May not be necessary for shorter probes, low turbulence

application, if the probe can ground to tank (uncoated, bare metal)

Ø  Additional items:§  MPI-200 programming cable (only need one per mine, some

mines have two, for backup)§  M-12 connecting cable for probe power and signal, one for each

installed probe 19

Ordering Probes

Ø  LTM-2 probe pricing is very competitive to alternativesØ  Only specific quotations directly provided to customers are

officialØ  Zeroday provides written quotes (emailed)Ø  Probes and ancillary parts are shipped from Instek Control in

Pretoria, South AfricaØ  Quotations are on an EXW basisØ  Generally 6 weeks to ship from date PO is receivedØ  Probes shipped air freight

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Invoices

Ø  Zeroday can assist in making shipping arrangementsØ  Duties and custom fees are additional, customers make these

arrangementsØ  Invoiced on ship date if credit has been approvedØ  If customer is making shipping arrangements and there is a

pickup delay, there will be early invoicing :–  Effective at a reasonable date after LTM-2 shipment availability–  Or when Instek bills Zeroday

Ø  All invoice terms are 30 days net, FIRM

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The End

Thank YouQuestions?

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