The ETI Model 730 Elemental Analyzer is an Online Cross Belt Analyzer using prompt-gamma neutron activation analysis (PGNAA) combined with a Dual or Single-Gamma instrument to determine the elemental composition of the full stream of material as it passes through the device's analysis zone on a conveyor belt. It consists of the Model 800 Neutron Activation Analyzer measuring elemental composition, combined with either a DGA-410(M) Ash Analyzer measuring weight, ash, heating value, and moisture or a Model 500 Nuclear Belt Scale measuring weight, depending on the application.
The FSEA is an online analyzer, measuring the full stream of material while it is moving. This is greatly superior to offline sampling where a small portion of material is periodically removed and sent to a lab for analysis, or XRF where only a thin layer of material is analyzed. PGNAA technology measures the elemental content of 100% of the material in real time while it is in motion on the conveyor, and provides analytical data to operators and plant control systems on a minute-by-minute basis.
The analyzer's real-time measurement and reporting allows plant operators to react to and correct chemistry problems, enables quarry managers to build consistent stockpiles of material, and can generate reports on material quality for batches, stockpiles, or particular time periods.
The analyzer data can be directly accessed by plant control systems from the device's SQL database or through analog and digital output modules located in the system's Data Acquisition Unit.
Typically installed after the quarry crusher and before the Raw Mill, the FSEA allows operators to maintain tight control over cement chemistry before the raw material reaches the kiln. Analyzer data is used by automated plant systems to control additive feeders, thereby maintaining proper chemistry. The analyzer is critical in controlling the quality and consistency of the clinker product.
The FSEA calculates the phase composition proportions of Alite (C3S), Belite (C2S), Tricalcium Aluminate (C3A), and Tetracalcium Aluminoferrite (C4AF). It provides CaCO3, Loss On Ignition (LOI), Lime Saturation Factor (LSF), Silica Ratio (SR), and Alumina Ratio (AR) values, and it directly measures and reports these standard analytes
FSEAs are utilized in coal mines and coal-fired power plants to provide invaluable data to operators. In both mines and power plants, the FSEA is used to monitor customer-specific coal qualities such as ash, BTU, sulfur, Na2O, and Base-to-Acid ratio in addition to the remainder of the standard analytes.
Other applications include barn, silo, and stockpile management, train and barge loading, sorting, blending, and slagging and fouling mitigation.
The use of the FSEA in these applications is similar to its use in coal, as they are all used as fuels. The analyzer reports can be supplied with the batches of material run to document its quality.
As in coal applications, the FSEA reports heating value, and ash content. Chlorine, sulfur, and nitrogen are elements of particular concern, and all are reported as standard analytes.