Title:

Material, Pulp and Slurry

Properties
Lecture: Supplemental
Chapter 4-5

Supplemental Lecture Outline

1.

Density
A.
B.
C.

2.

Equations
Units
Example Problems

Specific Gravity
A.
B.
C.

3.

Equations
Units
Example Problems

Bulk Density & Bulk Specific Gravity

A.
B.
C.

4.

Equations
Units
Example Problems

Pulp and Slurry

A.
B.

Equations
Example Problems

Introduction to Mineral Processing

Thom Seal, Ph.D., P.E. and Carl Nesbitt, Ph.D.

1. Density
Density (D) of a material is defined as the mass of
the material that occupies a specific space or
volume. Concentration of matter, measured
by the mass per unit volume.1
Mass (M) in grams (g) or kilograms (kg)
Volume (V) is in milliliters (ml) or cubic
centimeters (cc), plus in liters (L) and cubic
meters (m3)
Water has a density of 1.00000 g/ml at a pressure
of 1 atmosphere and 3.98 oC. Ice is 0.917
g/cm3.
Introduction to Mineral Processing
Thom Seal, Ph.D., P.E. and Carl Nesbitt, Ph.D.

1. Density
Examples of Density (D)
Quartz
2.65 g/cm3
Gasoline 0.66 0.69 g/cm3
WoodOak 0.60 0.90 g/cm3
Coal
1.2 1.8 g/cm3
Iron
7.874 g/cm3
Gold
19.3 g/cm3

Introduction to Mineral Processing

Thom Seal, Ph.D., P.E. and Carl Nesbitt, Ph.D.

1. Density
A.

B.

Equations:
Density = Mass = M/V
Volume
Units for Density:
g/ml = g/ccm = g/cm3
kg/cubic meter = kg/m3
pounds/cubic foot = #/ft3
tons/cubic yard = tons/yd3

Note: ton = 2,000 pounds

metric ton = 1,000 kg = MT
Introduction to Mineral Processing
Thom Seal, Ph.D., P.E. and Carl Nesbitt, Ph.D.

1. Density
b.

Sample Problems:
1. Into a 100 ml graduated cylinder with 50 ml
of water is added 20 grams of ground rock.
The total volume of the water (without
bubbles of air) plus the rock is 60 ml. What
is the rocks density?
Solution: The volume of ground rock is 10
ml (60 ml 50 ml). M/V = D = 20 g/10 ml =
2.00 g/ml

Introduction to Mineral Processing

Thom Seal, Ph.D., P.E. and Carl Nesbitt, Ph.D.

1. Density
b.

Sample Problems:
The density of a rock sample is 2.50 g/ml. How
many pounds per cubic foot?
Solution: There is 453.5924 g/pound, and
28,316.85 ml/ft3.
So:

2.5 g/ml x 28,316.85 ml/ft3 = 70,792.125

g/ft3

70,792.125 g/ft3 / 453.5924 g/pound =

156.07 #/ft3
Introduction to Mineral Processing
Thom Seal, Ph.D., P.E. and Carl Nesbitt, Ph.D.

2. Specific Gravity
Specific Gravity (SG) of a material is
defined as the mass of a body to the
mass of an equal volume of water at 4
oC or other specific temperature.1
In the metric system the specific gravity is
equal to the density at the same
temperature. Since water is 1.00000
g/cm3 at 3.98 oC, therefore
g/cm3 / g/cm3 = 1 or unity

Introduction to Mineral Processing

Thom Seal, Ph.D., P.E. and Carl Nesbitt, Ph.D.

2. Specific Gravity
Examples of Specific Gravity (SG)
Quartz
2.65 SG
Gasoline
0.66 0.69 SG
WoodOak
0.60 0.90 SG
Coal
1.2 1.8 SG
Iron
7.874 SG
Gold
19.3 SG

Introduction to Mineral Processing

Thom Seal, Ph.D., P.E. and Carl Nesbitt, Ph.D.

2. Specific Gravity
A.

Equations:
Specific Gravity =

Material Mass
MassWater

= M/M

water

Note: Mass of Water @ same volume and

temperature
B. Units for Specific Gravity are unity:
and number form above 0 to the heaviest
material, say Platinum 21.45

Introduction to Mineral Processing

Thom Seal, Ph.D., P.E. and Carl Nesbitt, Ph.D.

10

2. Specific Gravity
Mass of Water:
@ 4 oC (39.2oF) & 1atm.
@ 20 oC (68oF) &1atm.
@ 25 oC (77oF) & 1atm.
@ 30 oC (86oF) & 1atm.
@ 50 oC (122oF) & 1atm.

Introduction to Mineral Processing

Thom Seal, Ph.D., P.E. and Carl Nesbitt, Ph.D.

8.33590 #/gal
62.42796 #
8.32167 #/gal
62.31746 #/ft3
8.31217 #/gal
62.24505 #/ft3
8.30063 #/gal
62.15765 #/ft3
8.2174 #/gal
61.6832 #/ft3
11

2. Specific Gravity
Mass of Water:
We will use @ 20 oC (68oF)

Introduction to Mineral Processing

Thom Seal, Ph.D., P.E. and Carl Nesbitt, Ph.D.

8.32 #/gal &

62.32 #/ft3

12

2. Specific Gravity
C.

Sample Problems:

1.

2.

An ore has a density of 2.67 g/cm3. What

is the SG?
Solution: SG = Density in metric system,
so SG = 2.67.
The density of a solid rock sample is 16
ft3/ton. What is the SG of the solid rock?
Solution:
Density = 2,000 #/ton / 16 ft3/ton = 125 #/ft3
SG = 125 #/ft3 / 62.32 #/ft3water = 2.01
Introduction to Mineral Processing
Thom Seal, Ph.D., P.E. and Carl Nesbitt, Ph.D.

13

3. Bulk Density
Bulk Density (BD) or Bulk Specific Gravity
(BSG) of a material is defined as the bulk
mass of the material and voids between the
material that occupies a specific space or
volume. Concentration of matter plus voids,
measured by the mass per unit volume.
Mass (M) in grams (g) or kilograms (kg)
Volume (V) is in milliliters (ml) or cubic
centimeters (cc), plus in liters (L) and cubic
meters (m3)
The test is subject to settling and vibration
Introduction to Mineral Processing
Thom Seal, Ph.D., P.E. and Carl Nesbitt, Ph.D.

14

3. Bulk Density
A.

Equations:
= Voidage in Percent
Bulk Density = Mass + Voids = D(1- )
Volume
Bulk SG = Mass + Voids = SG(1- )
Volume
= Volume of Voids/Total Volume
=
Volume of Voids
(Void Volume + Solid Volume)
= 1 - Bulk Density/Density of Solids
= 1 BSG/SG
Introduction to Mineral Processing
Thom Seal, Ph.D., P.E. and Carl Nesbitt, Ph.D.

15

3. Bulk Density
B.

Units for Bulk Density:

g/ml = g/ccm = g/cm3
kg/cubic meter = kg/m3
pounds/cubic foot = #/ft3
tons/cubic yard = tons/yd3
Note: Often the swell of ore due to blasting
and material in bins, stockpiles and tails.

Introduction to Mineral Processing

Thom Seal, Ph.D., P.E. and Carl Nesbitt, Ph.D.

16

3. Bulk Density
C.

Sample Problems:
1. Into a 100 ml graduated cylinder with 50 ml
of water is added 20 grams of ground rock.
The total volume of the water (without
bubbles of air) plus the rock is 60 ml. What
is the rocks density? If the slurry settles to
15 ml what is the bulk density? Voidage?
Solution: The volume of ground rock is 10
ml (60 ml 50 ml). M/V = D = 20 g/10 ml =
2.00 g/ml.
BSG = 20g/15 ml = 1.33 g/ml
Introduction to Mineral Processing
Thom Seal, Ph.D., P.E. and Carl Nesbitt, Ph.D.

17

3. Bulk Density
C.

Sample Problems:
1. Continued:
BSG = 20g/15 ml = 1.33 g/ml
= 1 - Bulk Density/Density of Solids
1-(1.33/2) = 0.3333 = 33.33%

Introduction to Mineral Processing

Thom Seal, Ph.D., P.E. and Carl Nesbitt, Ph.D.

18

3. Bulk Density
C.

Sample Problems:
The density of a rock sample is 2.50 g/ml. The
bulk density is 2.00 g/ml. How many
pounds per cubic foot does this ore have in
a stockpile?
Solution: There is 453.5924 g/pound, and
28,316.85 ml/ft3.
So:

2.0 g/ml x 28,316.85 ml/ft3 = 56,633.7 g/ft3

56,633.7 g/ft3 / 453.5924 g/pound = 124.86

#/ft3
Introduction to Mineral Processing
Thom Seal, Ph.D., P.E. and Carl Nesbitt, Ph.D.

19

4. Pulp and Slurry

Pulp Density or Pulp Specific Gravity
(s)(small s) is defined as the weight per
unit volume.2 Pulp density is used to
refer to the weight percentage of solids
in a ore water slurry.

Valuable in estimating plant tonnage

and flows
Weight (wt) in grams (g) or kilograms (kg)
Volume (V) is usually measured in reference
to one liters (L).
Introduction to Mineral Processing
Thom Seal, Ph.D., P.E. and Carl Nesbitt, Ph.D.

20

4. Pulp and Slurry

A.

Equations:
P = Decimal fraction of solids by weight Percent
solids [%]
S = Specific gravity of ore solids
s = Specific gravity of pulp
W = Weight (grams) of one liter of pulp = wt dry ore +
wt water
w = Weight (grams) of dry ore in one liter of pulp
d = Dilution Ratio wt of water; wt of dry ore in pulp
L = Weight (grams) or volume (ml) of water in one
liter of pulp
K = The solids constant

Introduction to Mineral Processing

Thom Seal, Ph.D., P.E. and Carl Nesbitt, Ph.D.

21

4. Pulp and Slurry

A. Equations:

P = w/W = K(s-1)/s = K(W-1000)/W = S(s1)/(s(S-1)) = (1-P)/d = 1/(d+1)

S = P(W)/[1000-W(1-P)] = P(s)/[(1-s)(1-P)] =
K/(K-1)
s = W/1000 = 1/(1-P/K)
W = 1000s = 1000 + w/K = 1000K/(K-P) = w/P
w = PW = K(W-1000) = 1000sP
L = W P(W) = W(1-P)
d = (1-P)/P = W(1-P)/PW
K = S/(S-1) = Ps/(s-1)
Introduction to Mineral Processing
Thom Seal, Ph.D., P.E. and Carl Nesbitt, Ph.D.

22

4. Pulp and Slurry

B.

Sample Problems:
1. A pulp sample weighs 1,250 grams (W).
The pulp is dried overnight and the dry ore
weighs 250 grams (w). What is the pulps
percent solids (P)?
Solution: P = w/W = 250/1250 = 0.2 =
20%

Introduction to Mineral Processing

Thom Seal, Ph.D., P.E. and Carl Nesbitt, Ph.D.

23

4. Pulp and Slurry

B.

Sample Problems:
2.

The density of a rock sample is 2.60 g/ml (S).

How much ore (g)(w) and water (L) are required to
make a liter of pulp at 40 solids?
Solution:

K = S/(S-1) = 2.6/(2.6-1) = 1.625

W = 1000K/(K-P) = 1000(1.625)/((1.625-0.4) =
1,326.53 g/L

w = PW = (0.4)(1326.53) = 530.612 g ore weight

L = W(1-P) = 1,326.53(1-0.4) = 795.92 ml =

0.7959 L
Check: P = w/W = 530.612g/1,326.53g = 0.4 = 40%
530.612 g-ore/2.6 g/ml = 204.08 mlore +795.92
mlwater = 1 L
Introduction to Mineral Processing
Thom Seal, Ph.D., P.E. and Carl Nesbitt, Ph.D.

24

4. Pulp and Slurry

B.

Sample Problems:
3. A one liter pulp sample weighs 1,250 grams
(W). What is the pulps specific gravity (s)?
Solution: s = W/1,000 = 1,250/1,000 = 1.250

Introduction to Mineral Processing

Thom Seal, Ph.D., P.E. and Carl Nesbitt, Ph.D.

25

4. Pulp and Slurry

B.

Sample Problems:
4.

A one L lab slurry has too high a percent solids 50%

(P). The density of a rock sample in the slurry is 2.60
g/ml (S). How much more water (ml) is required to
change the pulp to 40 solids?
Solution:
K = S/(S-1) = 2.6/(2.6-1) = 1.625
Winitial = 1000K/(K-P) = 1000(1.625)/((1.625-0.5) =
1,444.44 g/L
w = PW = (0.5)(1,444.44) = 722.22 g ore weight
Linitial = W(1-P) = 1,444.44(1-0.5) = 722.22 ml
Wfinal = w/P = 722.22/.4 = 1,805.55 g of slurry
Introduction to Mineral Processing
Thom Seal, Ph.D., P.E. and Carl Nesbitt, Ph.D.

26

4. Pulp and Slurry

B.

Sample Problems:
4. Continued

Lfinal = Wfinal w = 1805.55 g - 722.22 g =

1083.33 mlwater

So water needed: Lfinal Linitial = 1083.33 ml

722.22 ml = 361.11 ml
Check: P = w/W = 722.22g/1,805.55g = 0.4 =
40%
Total Pulp Volume = 722.22 g-ore/2.6 g/ml =
277.78 mlore + 1,083.33 mlwater = 1.361.1 L
Introduction to Mineral Processing
Thom Seal, Ph.D., P.E. and Carl Nesbitt, Ph.D.

27

Review
1. Density
A. Equations
B. Units

2. Specific Gravity
A. Equations
B. Units

3. Bulk Density
A. Equations
B. Units

4. Pulp and Slurry (See pdf of Mining Chemical

Handbook)
Introduction to Mineral Processing
Thom Seal, Ph.D., P.E. and Carl Nesbitt, Ph.D.

28

References
1. CRC Handbook of Chemistry and
Physics, 68th Edition, page F-77
2. Mining Chemicals Handbook, American
Cyanamid, 1986, page 139 141.
Introduction to Mineral Processing, E.G.
Kelly and D.J. Spottiswood, 1989, Lamb
Printers, Australia

Introduction to Mineral Processing

Thom Seal, Ph.D., P.E. and Carl Nesbitt, Ph.D.

29