Key Precautions for Fluorite Color Sorter Operation

Fluorite serves as a core raw material for iron and steel smelting, fluorochemical industry and ceramic manufacturing, and its grade directly determines the quality of downstream products. Featuring efficient intelligent sorting, fluorite color sorters have become pivotal equipment for grade upgrading in fluorite beneficiation. However, the sorting precision and service life of the machine are closely tied to standardized daily operation. Improper use will not only reduce sorting efficiency and raise tailing yield, but also trigger equipment malfunctions and increase maintenance costs. Hence, the following critical points must be noted during the operation of fluorite color sorters.

1. Strict Control of Feeding Process

The physical properties of fluorite ore exert a direct impact on color sorting results. In actual production, close control shall be exercised over feeding particle size, moisture content and pre-impurity removal.

Each model of color sorter is designed for a specific feeding particle size range (generally 0.5–2 cm, adjustable by equipment model). Ores shall be pre-screened to prevent large particles from jamming feed chutes and fine particles from over-thickening material layers, which would block photoelectric sensor detection and ensure full visibility of all particles.

Fluorite with moisture content over 2% tends to adhere to chutes, photoelectric lenses and air nozzles, causing dust accumulation and blockages. Pre-drying or air-drying is required to keep feedstock dry.

Before feeding, iron removers and roller screens shall remove hard foreign matters such as iron blocks and large siliceous stones to avoid collision damage to sorting chambers and air nozzles or unexpected shutdowns.

2. Accurate Setting and Dynamic Adjustment of Operating Parameters

Core sorting parameters include sorting threshold, feeding speed, camera sensitivity and air pressure, which shall be flexibly adjusted according to impurity types and grade differences of fluorite ore.

The sorting threshold defines the identification boundary between qualified fluorite and impurities. An excessively high threshold fails to remove gangue impurities and lowers concentrate grade, while an overly low threshold discharges usable fluorite by mistake and boosts tailing output. Optimal values shall be determined via small-scale trial sorting by comparing concentrate grade and throughput.

Feeding speed shall match material feed volume. Excessively fast speed under heavy feeding leaves bottom-layer particles undetected before entering the sorting chamber. Uniform feeding shall be maintained to keep the material layer at the height of 1–2 particles and eliminate blind sorting zones.

3. Real-Time Monitoring and Routine Maintenance During Operation

Special staff shall conduct patrol inspections after startup:

Check whether sensor lenses are covered by dust or materials; wipe foggy lenses gently with dust-free soft cloths and avoid hard scratchers.

Monitor impurity ratios of finished concentrates and tailings. If tailings contain excessive fluorite or concentrates carry excess impurities, stop the machine to adjust parameters or clear clogged air nozzles.

Watch out for abnormal vibration and noise, and troubleshoot loose components or hidden faults promptly.

For routine maintenance:

Clear residual materials in feed chutes per shift; inspect iron remover adsorption weekly and stabilize air pressure at 0.4–0.6 MPa; lubricate transmission parts monthly to mitigate abrasion.

4. Compliance with Safety Regulations

The machine runs at high speed with high-pressure air ejection during operation. Operators are prohibited from opening safety guard doors to prevent flying materials or high-pressure air injuries.

Cut off power and air supply before maintenance, hang an "Under Maintenance" warning sign, and wait for full machine shutdown before work.

Fluorite dust irritates respiratory tracts. Operators shall wear dust masks, and ventilation and dust removal equipment shall be equipped in work areas to reduce occupational health hazards.

Conclusion

Standardized operation of fluorite color sorters covers feeding, parameter configuration, maintenance and safety management. Compliant procedures improve sorting grade, cut production loss, extend equipment service life and deliver stable economic benefits for mineral processing enterprises.