Bulk analysis of lead smelter sinter plant products for sulphur (and Pb, Fe, Zn) using neutron inelastic scatter gamma-rays

A potential for increasing the production in the lead sinter plant at Mount Isa exists if the sulphur and moisture concentration in the feed material could be controlled accurately. This thesis reports on a project to develop an on-line instrument to measure sulphur and moisture in sinter feed for process control. The feasibility of measuring the concentrations of lead, iron and zinc is also examined. The instrument uses the technique of fast neutron inelastic scatter gamma ray measurement for the element determinations and neutron moderation for moisture measurement. Three instrument geometries were examined under laboratory conditions:- (a) annular (b) semi-annular (c) backscatter - main layer (d) backscatter - ignitor layer An instrument based on geometry (c) constructed and tested in the laboratory. above, was designed, The instrument was shown to measure sulphur, lead, iron, zinc and moisture to within (one standard deviation) O. 67, 1.2, 0.49 and 0.34 and 0.49 -weight 1.respectively. The repeatability for a aeasurement time of 25 minutes was 0.40, 0. 70, 0.20, 0.17, 0.3 weight 1. respectively. This performance is adequate for process control