LIBS vs PGNNA FAQs
1. How is the LIBS different from the PGNAA?
Fundamental difference is in the source of energy, used to excite the substance to perform remote elemental analysis. While PGNAA uses hazardous radioactive isotopes (viz. Cf252, Am241, Cs137, Am241-Be etc.), LIBS-based system deploys high intencity laser beam.
2. How do they compare in terms of safety?
There is obvious safety factor when looking at PGNAA technology – the need to handle radioactive material. This is an ongoing problem with PGNAA machines, due to the half-life decay of the source they require regular restocking with radioactive Californium-252. That restocking creates its own safety hazard every time it is required.
With LIBS, there is no radioactive source involved. In addition, it is easy to configure variety of protection levels with electrical interlocks. To name a few: No or low substance level on conveyor belt, conveyor belt OFF, unauthorised entry in the analyser premises, unauthorised intrusion, motion sensing, etc.
However, the same is not true for the PGNAA. Neutron emission cannot be stopped or switched off. This exposes those servicing the analyser hardware or maintaining the conveyor belt near the analyser to neutron and gamma radiation. Some analysers include a shielding block that reduces the radiation when the analyser is not in use. This minimises but does not eliminate the problem.
3. How does the LIBS compare with PGNAA in terms of analytical performance?
LIBS delivers much more energy, between 20–100 mJ/pulse and this results in a higher energy output for analysis, 14 MeV for LIBS compared to PGNAA of around 2.5 MeV. The higher energy of laser brings in analytical advantages. The most important one being ability to accurately analyse Carbon and Oxygen. This makes analysis of coal easy by enabling direct measurement and computation of Calorific Value & Moisture.
Higher energy also results in an overall enhancement in sensitivity and performance. PGNAA analysers suffer from relatively low sensitivity compared to a LIBS machine. The minimal signal accumulation time for PGNAA is typically 1–2 min, but for LIBS technology, the information is received in every single laser pulse – as little as, 20–30 sec. For PGNAA means a slower rate of analysis, and a need for a much higher volume of material to obtain results.
4. Are LIBS analysers expensive to own and operate as compare to PGNAA systems?
Not true. The PGNAA analysers, using hazardous radioactive isotopes with finite half-life (2.6 years for the Cf252), need to be compulsively replenished or topped-up periodically. This is irrespective of the analyser operation and usage time. The LIBS analyser on the other hand provides energy on-demand. The laser in a LIBS analyser can typically last up to 10 years for 8-hour daily operation. A lot of customers find that costs of using LIBS technology are about 20% lower, compared to that of PGNAA.
5. Is there any issue with LIBS compared to PGNAA?
LIBS is a surface method. This laser-based technology can only affect the surface of material on the conveyor belt. PGNAA radiation is absorbed throughout the mass of the material. This means that with LIBS technology there is a need to ensure that material surface represents the whole volume of material for accurate measurement – the substance needs to be homogenous. Usually, it is simply a question of installation point. In mining, bulk materials usually arrive at the conveyor after explosive and crushing processes that universally considered to be producing a homogeneous mix. However, if that is not the case, to make the material ready for real-time analysis by LIBS system, adding a simple and inexpensive mixing device on the conveyor belt prior to the online analyser solves the issue.
6. What are the various applications of LIBS based online analysers?
Worldwide, LIBS based analysers are successfully performing and serving in the Phosphates, Potash, Refractories and Iron Ore applications.
7. How easy is the maintenance of LIBS analysers?
The maintenance needs for a LIBS based analysers are minimal as compared to the PGNAA systems that need periodic recalibration once in a few months to compensate for 5% to 10% drop in neutron intensity because of source decay. LIBS systems require only periodic air filter and laser lamp change – can be performed by user personnel without any special gear and training.
Laboratory Analysis vs Online Analysis The analysis of the elemental composition of raw materials is a crucial part of the mining process directly
impacting yield, quality and profits. Can you afford to ignore the benefits of real time sampling and analysis in an increasingly competitive environment? There
are
two
broad
categories
of
costs
in
mining
and
mineral
processing:
External
or
Market-Controlled
and
Internal
or
Mill-Controlled.
Market-controlled
are
inputs
such
as
raw
materials
and
energy
costs.
They
usually
account
for
the
vast
bulk
of
production
costs,
an
estimated 80%. Mill-controlled
costs
are
made
up
of
the
consumables,
labor,
overhead
involved,
etc.
These
are
usually
defined
by
technology
deployed
at a
mill;
however,
can
be
managed
with
efficiency-focused
programmes. When a
major
technology
overhaul
is
not
an
option
for
the
foreseeable
future,
Efficiency
Conversion
is
the
part
of
Mill-controlled
costs
that
Mill
Director
and
Process
Managers
should
focus
on.
This
is
still
not a
negligible
bit.
With
proper
tools
one
can
achieve 5%
to 10%
upside
in
this
area.
Energy
bill
often
represents 15%
to 25%
of
overall
mill
costs (up
to 40%
in
steel
making). Typically, a
multi-stage
preheater
dry
kiln
would
use 3.6 GJ/ton
in
refractories
and
cement
mills.
With
current
energy
prices
for
industrial
consumers
in
Europe,
that
represents
approximately $23
per
ton
of
product
in
energy
costs.
What
if
you
could
save 5%
of
that? In
steel
making
overall
energy
use
is
even
higher ≈ 18.2 GJ/ton,
with
approximately 2.8 GJ/ton
in
coking
and 11.5 GJ/ton
in
iron
making.
No
wonder
the
mineral
processing
industry
has
been
heavily
investing
in
energy
conversion
and
process
automation.
Is
there
more
you
could
do?
At
Laser
Distance
Spectrometry
we
believe
there
is. Controlling
what
the
energy
is
burnt
on
is
the
way
to
reduce
mill
energy
consumption. Laboratory
analysis
has
traditionally
been a
safe
and
accurate
method
of
analysing
the
chemical
elemental
concentration
of
mining
yields.
It
allows
analysis
across a
range
of
elements
and
parameters
to
provide
the
data
necessary
to
identify
impurities,
control
concentrations
and
ensure
environmental
regulatory
compliance
among
other
things.
One
drawback –
accurate
laboratory
results
are
available
only
in 6
to 8
hours
form
the
time
samples
had
been
taken
off
the
conveyor
belt
or
stockpile.
With
material
running
on
the
conveyor
with
the
speed
of a
couple
of
tons
per
minute
what
is
the
true
cost
of
this
delay?
Investing
in
real-time
elemental
analysis
on
every
stage
of
the
process
is
something
that
rare-earth
enrichment
plants
have
been
doing
for
decades.
Doing
that
in
refractories,
cement
and
steel
making
would
stabilise
substance mix,
its
quality
and
enable
total
process
control
in
these
industries
too.
The
goals –
optimal
energy
use,
improved
production
yields
and
more
consistent
product
quality. The
ability
to
obtain
accurate
analytical
results
in
real
time
and
feed
them
into
process
automation
systems
can
represent
potential
savings
in
mill-controlled
costs
of
up
to 10%. Laboratory
analysis
will
remain a
crucial
benchmark
for
years
to
come.
However,
complimenting
it
with
real-time
online
analysis
enables
prompt
technical
decisions
on
sorting
of
the
raw
material,
dosage
of
ore
or
components
of a
mixture,
energy
use,
all
based
on
the
real-time
data.
As
profitability
has
dropped
industry
wide,
accurate,
quick
data
and
optimised
production
processes
are
arguably
more
important
than
ever.
Effective
process
control
provides
many
benefits
including
reducing
cost,
conserving
raw
material
and
minimizing
environmental
impact.
Online
analysis
solutions
such
as
the
MAYA
online
analyser
are
therefore
increasingly
being
adopted
by
key
players
across
the
mining
industry.
Take
control
of
your
mining
operations. Laser
Distance
Spectrometry
is a
young
start-up,
full
of
energy
and
desire
to
change
the
world
of
mining.
We
help
mining
and
mineral
processing
businesses
reduce
their
energy
consumption
and
achieve
higher
production
yields.
This
way
we
save
our
planet
resources
and
enhance
lives
of
people.
We
offer
on-line,
automated,
real-time
chemical
analysis
of
mineral
materials,
based
on
latest
laser
spectroscopic
technology
and
heuristic
algorithms.
Our
team
is
comprised
of
the
leading
scientists
and
technicians
in
laser
detection
methodology
and
systems.
At
Laser
Distance
Spectrometry
we
believe
that
Machine
Learning
and
Industry 4.0
have
arrived
and
it
is
only a
question
of
how
quickly
this
will
be
the
mainstream
in
mining
and
mineral
processing.
Laser
Distance
Spectrometry
is
part
of
that
game.
We
are
determined
to
be
part
of
that
future. Laser
Distance
Spectrometry ©
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The MAYA Online Analyser is revolutionising mining operations. Using innovative laser technology, it analyses the elemental composition of various materials across mining industries. Delivering real time data to impact technological processes, it improves accuracy, stability and safety to provide a significant competitive advantage. |
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REGULATE COMPOSITION STABILISATION AND IMPURITIES DISCHARGE BASED ON REAL-TIME ONLINE INFORMATION
MAYA Online promises optimum accuracy regardless of bulk size, surface quality, thickness of the layer of the material and variation on these parameters.
UNCOMPROMISED SAFETY AND STABILITY WITH MAYA LASER TECHNOLOGY
Unlike traditional PGNAA analysers which have radioactive source the MAYA LIBS analysing technology emits no ionizing radiation. This means uncompromised safety and no need to obtain nuclear authority licences or inspections.
WE WILL DEMONSTRATE THE IMPACT ON YOUR OPERATIONS PRIOR TO INVESTMENT
We will analyse samples and pre-calibrate machine algorithms for you to verify pre-purchase. This means you can demonstrate the impact to all stakeholders prior to investment.
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MINExpo® 2016
Las Vegas, NV, USA, 26-28 September 2016.
MINExpo® 2016 IS ALL ABOUT SOLUTIONS. Our company was happy to be a part of this huge event and to present our recent solutions for mining. We know how to make your process control easier and more efficient!
AISTECH 2016
Pittsburgh, PA, USA, May 16-19, 2016.
We were very excited to exhibit at AISTech for the first time and to present our achievements in online analysis for sintering and refractories!
AISTech is the steel industry’s biggest annual trade show and exposition. More than 8,000 people have attended AISTech 2016. This event have featured technologies from all over the world that help steel producers to compete more effectively in today’s global market.
Phosphates 2016
Paris, France, March 13-15, 2016.
Phosphates 2016 has brought together experts and decision makers from the leading companies within the fertilizer, industrial and feed phosphate industries, providing delegates with key insights and in-depth market information about phosphates raw materials, intermediates and finished products.
We were glad to present and discuss with you our latest developments and customized solutions at the Phosphates 2016.
Congress Unitecr2015
Vienna, Austria. September 15-18, 2015.
We took part in the 14th Biennial Worldwide Congress UNITECR 2015 on 15-18 September 2015 in Vienna, Austria.
Since its creation in 1987 in Tokyo, the Unified International Technical Conference, simply known as UNITECR, has established itself as the most important international panel for scientific and technical matters in the refractory world. In addition to direct participants from the refractory industry, raw material suppliers, consumers and scientists also have a great opportunity to participate in discussions, exchange information and even debate on the best path for the future of our industry.
Unlike other events, UNITECR is a truly international scientific conference, organized successively in America, Asia and Europe. More than 900 participants from 48 countries attended the Congress in Vienna to find out about the latest developments and trends, to share experience with leaders and to build up or maintain a network of personal contacts.
We would like to thank all of you who joined us at the conference, where we made a speech about on-line quality control in the refractory industry, and exhibition in Hofburg Congress Center at UNITECR 2015 in Vienna.
METEC 2015 International metallurgical trade fair with congresses
Dusseldorf, Germany. June 16-20, 2015
We have successfully exhibited at the METEC 2015 in Dusseldorf, the leading metallurgical trade fair, featuring latest technologies and offering first-hand information to participants.
We gave a presentation at the METEC-ESTAD conference on real-time raw materials chemistry stabilization and product quality control using the MAYA laser elemental analyser in sintering, iron making and refractory industry.
With 78,000 visitors from more than 120 countries GIFA, METEC, THERMPROCESS and NEWCAST 2015 in Düsseldorf were on the level of the previous events. The experts presented themselves in high spirits to invest and the 2.214 exhibiting companies reported on numerous business transactions with customers from all over the world. Especially in the Asian
region there is a great demand for European metallurgy and foundry technology corresponding current requirements of the industry regarding the saving of energy and resources. Two third of the visitors are directly involved in investment decisions in the top and middle management of their companies.
We are thankful to all our customers and visitors from many countries, who visited our booth and presentation and made our participation at METEC very interesting and successful. We were glad to show you our achievements and solutions to stabilize chemistry of raw materials (iron and refractory ores, sinter mix, limestone, etc.), to demonstrate even at our booth applicability of our technology to your materials, as well as to discuss with you
new applications and solutions, which can help to successfully fulfil your technological tasks.