THE POTENTIAL APPLICATION OF RAMAN SPECTROSCOPY FOR ON-STREAM MONITORING AND CONTROL OF ACIDITY OF MINE AND MILL WASTE AND PROCESS STREAMS

摘要

Measuring acid concentration in waste and process streams in mines and mills is a challenging task since they tend to being widely dispersed and are often located in relatively harsh environments. The potential use of Raman spectroscopy to measure the acidity of these types of solutions is demonstrated via experimental measurements of sulfate and bisulfate ion concentrations in acidic zinc-sulfate solutions. Possible on-stream Raman systems for continuous remote monitoring of acidity are outlined. System for monitoring and control of current distribution in zinc electrowinning and environmental control of a mine waste water stream are also described.