JKL MLH Horizontal In-Line Sampler for Abrasive Slurry

1. General Description

The JKL MLH Horizontal In-Line Sampler is an industrial-grade system engineered for the automatic extraction of statistically representative samples from abrasive mineral slurries flowing through pressurized horizontal pipelines in mineral processing plants.

The unit forms part of the JKL In-Line Sampling System, developed to ensure high reliability in metallurgical accounting, process control, and mass balance reconciliation.

The system incorporates a primary horizontal sampler with an internal homogenizing tank and a secondary volumetric reduction sampler, ensuring statistical representativeness through systematic cuts of the total flow.

The equipment is specifically designed for automatic representative sample extraction through controlled cross-stream cuts of the slurry flow.

2. Operating Principle

The JKL MLH operates in accordance with probabilistic principles of continuous slurry sampling:

1. Full stream diversion from the horizontal process pipeline (typical 12” flanged connection).
2. Internal homogenization via an agitated tank equipped with a vertical impeller and flow baffles, reducing segregation and density stratification errors.
3. Primary Cut (Cutter A): Performs the first-stage cut of the homogenized internal slurry flow (approximately 30% of the internal conditioned flow).
4. Secondary Cut (Cutter B): Extracts a systematic fraction of the primary increment (approximately 2.5%) to produce the final laboratory sample.
5. Controlled discharge to a sample collection container or receiving system.

Cutter A executes the primary cross-stream cut, while Cutter B performs the secondary volumetric reduction of the primary increment.

3. Main Components

The equipment consists of:

• Main gear motor drive assembly
• Vertical internal agitator shaft
• Homogenization impeller
• Internal flow baffles
• Slurry inlet duct (12” ANSI flanged connection)
• Sample discharge box
• Inlet isolation gate and flow control gate.
• Structural support brackets
• Cylindrical homogenizing tank
• Structural anchoring system

4. Key Technical Features

Homogenization System

• Cylindrical agitated tank with vertical impeller.
• Internal baffles inducing controlled turbulence.
• Minimizes extraction and delimitation errors.
• Prevents sedimentation in high-density slurries.

Primary Horizontal Cutter

• Designed to cut the entire internal cross-section of conditioned slurry flow
• Geometry optimized for abrasive mineral slurries.
• Heavy-duty construction in ASTM A36 carbon steel or ASTM 304/316 stainless steel, depending on application.
• Optional anti-abrasive liners or coatings available.

Drive System

Automatic Cleaning System

• Solenoid valve actuation.
• Internal wash manifold.
• Prevents cross-contamination between sampling campaigns or different mineral species.

5. Materials of Construction

• Structural carbon steel ASTM A36
• Stainless steel ASTM 304 / 316 (wet areas)
• Optional rubber or polyurethane liners
• ANSI standard flanges
• Bearings lubricated with SKF LGMT2 or LGMT3 grease (depending on duty conditions)

6. Application in Abrasive Slurry Circuits

The JKL MLH is specifically designed for:

• Final concentrate
• Tailings
• Flotation feed
• Grinding discharge slurry
• Slurries with 30–65% solids by weight
• Highly abrasive ores (Cu, Au, Pb, Zn, Fe)

Its horizontal configuration provides:

✔ Direct integration into existing pipelines
✔ Minimal pressure drop
✔ Stable pressurized operation
✔ Accessible maintenance
✔ Compact footprint

7. Technical Advantages over Conventional Systems

• Sampling of slurry in dynamic motion (bias reduction).
• Pre-cut homogenization stage.
• Dual-stage volumetric reduction.
• Automatic wash-down system.
• Heavy-duty industrial construction.
• 24/7 local technical support.
• Designed in accordance with ISO 13909 and ISO 18283 principles for representative sampling.

8. Contribution to Metallurgical Accounting

The JKL MLH contributes to:

• Reduction of Fundamental Sampling Error (FSE).
• Minimization of delimitation and extraction errors.
• Improved plant-to-laboratory reconciliation.
• Increased reliability in concentrate settlement calculations.
• Solid technical basis for metallurgical audits.

9. Executive Summary

The JKL MLH Horizontal In-Line Sampler is a heavy-duty industrial system engineered for severe abrasive slurry service. It guarantees statistically representative samples through active homogenization and dual-stage systematic cutting.

Its horizontal configuration, reinforced structural design, and integrated automatic cleaning system make it an ideal solution for mineral processing plants requiring precision, reliability, and traceability in metallurgical results.