PARTICLE SIZE DISTRIBUTION ANALYSIS IN AGGREGATE PROCESSING PLANTS USING DIGITAL IMAGE PROCESSING METHODS

Sensitive determination of the particle size distribution is an important procedure in terms of efficiency as wells affordability in mining operations which includes many stages such as blasting and mineral processing. Digital image processing methods used in mineral processing discipline found different application areas due to providing accurate data in relatively short time. In this study, the particle size distribution analysis of the samples taken from privately owned aggregate processing plants using sieve analysis and digital image processing methods were conducted and accordingly a comparison of these methods in terms of the applicability on industrial scale were realized. In this context, a pilot setup was assembled for the laboratory and plant scale image processing analysis purposes. Particle size distribution measurements of the samples were conducted by digital image processing method using this pilot setup and conventional sieve analysis methods. As a result, d(20,) d(50)( )and d(80)( )sizes of a crushed stone plant product were determined with confidence levels of 94.75%, 88.45% and 80.00%, respectively. The obtained results showed that a system based on digital image processing method can be applied in particle size analysis with high success has alternatives to conventional methods.