TRANSACTION PAPER

Development of luminescent diamond simulants for X-ray recovery

J. Danoczi; A. Koursaris

University of the Witwatersrand

SYNOPSIS

Specially designed X-ray machines are used extensively on diamond mines for the recovery of diamonds from ores. These machines are extremely expensive and, at present, there are no reliable methods of determining if the equipment is performing efficiently. The objective of this work was to manufacture translucent X-ray diamond simulants, which would emit varying but known luminescence signals when exposed to X-rays. These X-ray diamond simulants could then be used to determine the efficiency of diamond recovery operations.

“Full text available only in PDF format”

References

1. WILLS, B.A. Mineral Processing Technology, 5th edition, Oxford: Pergamon Press, 1992, p. 482.         [ Links ]

2. ENNIS, J.E. and DUNN, F. Patent No. 99/2849: The Magnetic Separation of Particles, Spoor and Fisher, Johanessburg 1999.         [ Links ]

3. DANOCZI, J.E. The Development of Hydrophobic Tracers, Oblique Engineering (Pty) Ltd, Johannesburg, March 2003.         [ Links ]

4. SPELLMAN, Specifications: Spellman DF/FF 3k/4kW X-ray generator rack mount, RT X-ray, Johannesburg, January 2005.         [ Links ]

5. UNAXIS, Spectral Information: Optical Specifications on the K45 Filter, Labotec, Johannesburg, 18 August 2004.         [ Links ]

6. DE BEERS, X-ray Diamond Recovery Brochure: VE Machines, DebTech, Johannesburg, 1999.         [ Links ]

7. WOLF, P. X-ray Diamond Recovery Brochure: XR 2/19DW Machine, Flow Sort, Johannesburg, September 2000.         [ Links ]

8. Directorate of Health and Safety, Health and Safety Standards SA, X-ray Radiation Requirements, Cape Town: June 2005.         [ Links ]

9. KIRCHNER, A. E-mail correspondence: Calcium Tungstate, H C Starck GmbH, Goslar Germany, 26 January 2004.         [ Links ]

10. AXSON, Specification sheet: PX 521 HT, no. 6099 PX/01287, Johannesburg, 2004.         [ Links ]

11. LIDE, D.R. Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, 82nd edition, 2001-2002, CRC Press, London, p. 4-142.         [ Links ]

Paper received Apr. 2007
Revised paper received Oct. 2007