Role of on stream XRF analyser in uranium ore processing plants

Efficiency of ion exchange process in Uranium Ore processing plant is highly dependent on timely detection of saturation point of resin and equipment healthiness. It is difficult to predict the saturation point of a resin during adsorption because it keeps on changing with aging and similarly leakages from Diaphragm valves also cannot be predicted. Earlier when plant operation was controlled on the basis of lab analysis result, it was difficult to keep losses within permissible limit of 1% due to 2 hours period of sampling, analysis and reporting. In such type of applications, on stream measurement techniques based on XRF analysis are of great help because analysis result are updated every 4 minutes. Sharing of real time analysis with third party system and conversance of Information Technology and plant automation system in last decades has eliminated the physical barriers by providing vital information instantaneously to plant operators and engineers through Operator Consoles and Mobile Phones. (author)