METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR THE CONTINUOUS MONITORING OF WEAR AND PRESSURE IN CENTRIFUGAL CONCENTRATORS

A system for the continuous monitoring of wear and/or pressure within a gravity concentrator/centrifugal separator [10] is disclosed. The system may comprise a gravity concentrator/centrifugal separator [10] having a cone [30], rotor housing shell [20], and water jacket [40]. At least one detector [34] may be provided to at least one of the cone [30], rotor housing shell [20], and water jacket [40]. At least one integrated or handheld sensor [60] may be provided adjacent to portions of the gravity concentrator/centrifugal separator [10], the sensor [60] being configured to communicate (e.g., wirelessly) with the at least one detector [34] during operation of the gravity concentrator/centrifugal separator [10]. In use, the cone [30] may wear away and ultimately affect a function of the least one detector [34]. In use, pressure changes within the water jacket [40] may change and ultimately affect a function (e.g., an output signal) of the least one detector [34]. The at least one sensor [60] may be configured to monitor said function(s) of the least one detector [34]. When the at least one sensor [60] detects a change in the signal of the at least one detector [34], an operator or control system may be notified that maintenance or cone [30] replacement may be necessary; and/or an operator or control system may be notified that one or more operational inputs may need to be adjusted to obtain peak performance of the gravity concentrator/centrifugal separator [10].