TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS FOR FLOW SORT TM
X-RAY DIAMOND RECOVERY MACHINE

MODEL: XMS 3/1 [2] - BULK SORTER FAMILY

A NEW RELEASE OF THE ORIGINAL FLOW SORT

FLOW SORT XMS Diamond Recovery machines. (SA PAT. No. 2005/07345) an alternative to Dense Media Separators in Diamond Recovery Plants

X-ray Media Separators are High capacity x-ray sorters designed for large-capacity ROM applications, PAN plant and DMS plant replacements.

The FLOW XMS is designed to sort material sizes from 1.0mm up to 75 mm

FLOW XMS do, depending on the ore-size range, handle feed rates in excess of 100 t/hr.

Our XMS plants are based on our well-proven XR and TSXR sorter technology. Our XMS incorporate all the latest features such as scanning optics, automatic tracer test system etc and for the first time, a “window-less” optic increases its sensitivity by a further 20%! These machines also, for the first time allow for real-time sorter monitoring via IR cameras. Security and safety have also been further enhanced adding fingerprint readers for access control and operation/maintenance monitoring.

INTRODUCING XMS 3/1 [2] - BULK SORTER FAMILY

HERE ARE SOME OF THE FEATURES OF THIS NEW SORTER CONCEPT:

XMS configurations are flexible, they come as:
- Single channel (XMS 1/?), Two-channel (XMS 2/?) or Three cannel (XMS 3/?)
Each channel can be configured as a single pass (XMS ?/1) or dual pass (XMS ?/2)
Sorting channels can be added, removed and re‐configured as called for by changing operational
The material flow to each channel is controlled by individual vibrating feeders, all fitted with automatic feed rate control gates.
Each channel has its own dedicated X‐ray source. In each XMS stage feed particles are exposed for over ½ a second to X‐ray radiation, an important factor when it comes to recovering diamonds with a slow luminescence rise time!
Each feed channel is divided into 16 (sixteen) optic channels, being scanned every thousands of a second means that even the smallest diamond is viewed at least 3 times! A fully fitted XMS 3/2 consists of 96 individual optic channels yet only uses 12 Photo Multiplier tubes. (Reducing operating costs!)
Individual sorter feed channels, depending on the application, are either serviced by 4 of FLOW’S standard electro‐mechanical ejectors or by 16 (sixteen) of our newly developed high precision “water‐ejectors” (Pat Pending). Our water ejectors produce about 35% concentrate of standard ejectors
Note that the design of our water‐ejectors allows for retrofitting any FLOW SORT XR or TSXR model that has been fitted with a scanning optics system.
Each XMS feed channel provides for typically 2½ times the feed capacity of a standard FLOW SORT XR / TSXR model. XMS can sort different-size fractions simultaneously!
FLOW SORT XMS is designed to sort material size ranges from [+0.5mm ‐1.0mm] up to [+40mm ‐75mm.]
All channels are fitted with a fully automatic diamond tracer dispensers/collection system. Recovered tracers are automatically counted and collected, no operator involvement is required.
A total material re‐mix between sorting stages eliminates diamond “masking” at high feed rates.
XMS is fitted with electronic diamond simulators providing an “absolute” diamond luminescence reference level, essential for precision optics sensitivity calibration.
XMS come with a new, improved feed water transport system which allows for substantially higher material throughputs in the ‐5.0mm “fines” size fractions.
XMS use FLOW’S OPTIC SCANNING SYSTEM (SA Appl. 2011/07547) designed to view luminescent particles individually and close up. The elimination of lead glass filters has further improved diamond detection sensitivity.
FLOW’S XMS is fitted with an internal IR camera surveillance system that allows real-time, observation of feed material and sorter operation.
Maintenance downtime is reduced by easy access to all sorter wear parts. A maintenance technician can simply “walk into” the sorter and change/service the relevant part(s)! For example: Changing a complete feed slide takes approx. 20 minutes, replacing an ejector takes less than 10 minutes
Should a sorter develop a fault, the affected sorter section/component can be isolated and/or shut‐ down whilst the remainder of the sorter continues with the normal operation until it is convenient to shut down the sorter for maintenance.
XMS access levels are split into several levels, for operating, maintaining as well as sorter‐parameter set‐up / and adjustments etc. Security and Safety levels are strictly controlled by means of fingerprint readers and special access keys.
- Note that all activities are automatically recorded for further reference.
Radiation safety is of the highest standard. Three (3) totally independently operating interlock circuits (200% redundancy) ensure that no accidental access to irradiated zones within the sorter is possible.
- There is NO measurable X‐ray radiation leakage to the sorters operating section or the outside of the XMS container.
XMS is PLC based controlled. The operator interface is provided via fingerprint readers, which open dedicated touchscreen menus.
FLOW’S XMS, with control panel, comes fitted into a standard 20-foot shipping container making for convenient transportation and installation.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS:

ELECTRIC SUPPLY:

220 Volt (+/- 10%), 50 Hz, Single Phase. Power consumption varies between 4.5kVA and 7kVA depending on sorter configuration. Other supply voltages and frequencies on request.

WATER SUPPLY:

QUALITY: The water supply to the sorter must be filtered through a 250 Micron filter (or smaller).

PRESSURE: +400kPa and -800kPa.

TEMPERATURE: min:+2.5°C max: +30°C

VOLUME: Between 50 and 300 litres/min depending on feed rate and material size and type.

OPERATING TEMPERATURE:

SORTER and C/P: min: +2.5° max: +45°C (air conditioning is optional)

Relative Humidity: 95% non-condensing

FEED MATERIAL SPECIFICATIONS:

Min SIZE: There is no minimum size limit! The recommended minimum is 1.5mm.

Max SIZE: Recommended maximum is 65mm. The absolute maximum is 75mm.

Particles exceeding 75mm in any dimension may cause blockages!

PARTICLE SIZE RATIO:

For maximum recovery efficiency, we recommend a size ratio of 2:1 for material below 3mm and up to 3:1 for material above 3mm.

IN GENERAL, IT IS IMPORTANT THAT SORTER FEED MATERIAL IS APPROPRIATELY SIZED, AND FREE OF UNDERSIZED AND OVERSIZED MATERIAL. FEED MATERIAL MAY BE WET OR DRY. IT IS IMPORTANT THAT FEED MATERIAL IS “CLEAN” i.e. FREE OF CLAY, SLIME, VEGETATION AND OTHER “FOREIGN” OBJECTS.

FEED RATE:

An XMS feed rate limits depend on many factors, the most important ones being:

Average feed particle size, Material size range, the average specific gravity of the feed material
The typical shape of feed particles (flat, round, flitches etc)
The concentration of luminescent material in the sorter feed

Refer to the feed rate graph

YIELD:

Yield changes with the size and type of material sorted. As a guideline we can quote that each ejection generates concentrate (in grams) equivalent to approx. 2 x FEED RATE (in tons /hour) i.e.: an ejection of a sorter running at 50 t/hr will produce approx. 100g of concentrate

DIAMOND RECOVERY EFFICIENCY:

FLOW SORT machines operating around the world, sorting many different types of diamondiferous materials, show that diamond recovery efficiency, based on the number of diamonds is well above 98%. And most importantly, the”diamond-by-value” recovery efficiency of FLOW SORT machines has proven to be very close to 100% indeed!

OPERATING COST:

XMS operating costs do vary substantially with feed rate, size and type of material to be sorted. ZAR 5.60 / ton sorted can be used as a general guideline. This includes all sorter maintenance costs (labour & parts) as well as operating costs but excludes the cost of operating personnel.

DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHT

XMS comes in a standard 20 Foot shipping container. (6m x 2.5m x 2.6m)

The weight of the XMS-3/2 is approximately 7.5tons

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X-RAY DIAMOND RECOVERY MACHINES

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Points to consider when purchasing an X-RAY DIAMOND RECOVERY Machine:

Operating Criteria and additional equipment needed.
Credentials of the Manufacturer.
Purchase Price.
Operating Costs.

YOU DESERVE ABOVE 99% ACCURACY

with 52 years of diamond recovery experience