Detection of cyclone wear or damage using individual cyclone overflow measurement

A method comprising:

• mounting or arranging a probe inside a part of a cyclone;
• measuring an acoustic noise profile generated by a slurry flowing in the part of the cyclone and hitting the probe, and providing signaling containing information about the acoustic noise profile generated;
• receiving in a signal processor or signal processing module the signaling;
• and
• providing from the signal processor or signal processing module corresponding signaling containing information about the status of the part of the cyclone by correlating statistical fluctuations in the acoustic noise profile measured and generated of the slurry hitting the probe in real time, based upon the signaling received;
• wherein a correlation of the statistical fluctuations is based on associated statistical fluctuations in an associated acoustic noise profile of a worn or damaged part of the cyclone having higher or less stable statistical fluctuations in probe measurements, and corresponding statistical fluctuations in a corresponding noise profile of a non-worn or non-damaged part of the cyclone having lower or more stable statistical fluctuations in the probe measurements than the associated acoustic noise profile of the worn or damaged part of the cyclone.

Apparatus for detection of cyclone wear or damage using individual cyclone overflow measurement, comprising:

• a probe mounted or arranged inside an apex of a cyclone, and configured to measure an acoustic noise profile generated by a slurry flowing in the apex of the cyclone and hitting the probe, and provide signaling containing information about the acoustic noise profile generated;
• and
• a signal processor or signal processing module configured to:
• receive the signaling;
• and
• provide corresponding signaling containing information about the diameter of the apex of the cyclone by correlating statistical fluctuations in the acoustic noise profile measured and generated of the slurry hitting the probe in real time, based upon the signaling received;
• wherein a correlation of the statistical fluctuations is based on associated statistical fluctuations in an associated acoustic noise profile of a worn or damaged apex of the cyclone having higher or less stable statistical fluctuations in probe measurements, and corresponding statistical fluctuations in a corresponding noise profile of a non-worn or non-damaged apex of the cyclone of the cyclone having lower or more stable statistical fluctuations in the probe measurements than the associated acoustic noise profile of the worn or damaged apex of the cyclone.

A mineral extraction processing system, comprising:

• a cyclone having an overflow pipe configured to provide a slurry;
• a probe mounted or arranged inside the overflow pipe, configured to provide signaling containing information about an acoustic noise profile that is measured and generated by the slurry flowing in the overflow pipe and hitting the probe;
• and
• a signal processor or signal processing module configured to:
• receive the signaling;
• and
• provide corresponding signaling containing information about wear or damage of the overflow pipe by correlating statistical fluctuations in the acoustic noise profile measured and generated of the slurry hitting the probe in real time, based upon the signaling received;
• wherein a correlation of the statistical fluctuations is based on associated statistical fluctuations in an associated acoustic noise profile of a worn or damaged overflow pipe having higher or less stable statistical fluctuations in probe measurements, and corresponding statistical fluctuations in a corresponding noise profile of a non-worn or non-damaged overflow pipe of the cyclone having lower or more stable statistical fluctuations in the probe measurements than the associated acoustic noise profile of the worn or damaged overflow pipe of the cyclone.