Neutron separator
for detection
diamonds
Purpose
A neutron separator detects diamonds within kimberlite rock at a ratio of diamond size to ore size of 1 to 10.
Detects low-luminous diamonds and “jacketed” diamonds.
Installation capacity – 1000 kg of ore per hour
Operating principle
The tagged neutron method makes it possible to detect diamond in kimberlite rock without destroying it.
The rock is irradiated with fast neutrons of 14 MeV from the reaction d + t −> α + n.
The distribution of carbon in the rock is analyzed using the 4.44 MeV gamma line.
The hallmark of a diamond is the detection of increased local carbon content.
Approbation
Diamonds were discovered in 200-300 mm kimberlite samples.
The separator was tested at the processing plant of the Lomonosov Mining and Processing Plant of PJSC Severalmaz.
