Characterization

Flow Characterization System

Proven in nuclear. Built for mining.

Non-intrusive flow characterization for mineral processing slurry, from outside the pipe and without stopping the process. The Flow Characterization System is the first Process Intelligence solution NuMetrik is commercialising for mineral processing and mining, built on 30 years of ultrasonic measurement proven in nuclear power generation.

The Technology

Non-Intrusive Cross-Correlation Ultrasonics

The Flow Characterization System uses two arrays of ultrasonic transducers clamped to the outside of the pipe. Focused ultrasonic signals pass through the pipe wall into the flowing slurry. Turbulent structures and other non-uniformities in the flow modulate the received signals; by cross-correlating the upstream and downstream signal patterns, the system extracts the flow velocity of those structures and therefore the bulk volumetric flow rate. Additional signal analysis derives further parameters without any penetration of the pipe wall.

Measurement geometry — Plane A and Plane B cross-correlation transducer arrays

How It Works

Clamp-On. No Pipe Penetration.

Transducer arrays clamp to the outside of the pipe wall. Ultrasonic signals pass through the pipe wall into the slurry. No holes. No seals. No contact with the process stream. The pipe remains intact and the process continues uninterrupted.

When implemented with appropriate transducer coupling and signal processing, ultrasonic cross-correlation flow measurement can substantially reduce dependence on fixed assumptions about key parameters, including media properties, sound speed, and idealized pipe geometries. The system can provide stable performance under varying slurry, hydraulic, and environmental conditions. In a non-intrusive clamp-on configuration, the transducers are mounted externally on the pipe, so they never contact the slurry.

Measurement Capabilities

What We Measure

Parameters across two honest status tiers: pilot-ready and R&D roadmap. We never conflate them.

Pilot-ready

Precise Volumetric Flow

Non-intrusive clamp-on measurement that derives volumetric totals from cross-section velocity sensing, so readings remain reliable in real slurry conditions.

Pilot-ready

Pipe Wall Thickness

Non-intrusive monitoring of pipe wall condition, with continuous wear tracking in high-erosion slurry environments without taking the pipe out of service.

Pilot-ready

Fluid Temperature

Non-intrusive measurement of fluid temperature from outside the pipe wall, with no contact with the process stream.

Note: applicability of this capability depends on application-specific conditions. Suitability is assessed during site review.

R&D Roadmap

Entrained Gas / Void Fraction · Slurry Density · Particle Size Distribution · Rheological Properties · Cavitation Prediction

Active R&D targets: signal processing algorithms for these parameters are in development and require laboratory and field validation under representative slurry conditions before deployment. Timeline for all roadmap parameters is subject to validation program outcomes. We will announce capabilities when and only when they are validated for the relevant conditions.

Replacing What Doesn't Work

What Our System Replaces

In a typical mineral processing plant, the measurement roles the measurement system addresses are currently served by instrumentation with significant operational drawbacks. Understanding the substitution clarifies what you are actually gaining.

Replacing

Nuclear / Radiometric Density Gauges

Radiometric gauges require radioactive source licensing, ongoing radiation safety program management, regulatory reporting, and eventual disposal of spent sources. The system's density measurement, currently in validation for mineral processing conditions, eliminates all radiological obligations from the density measurement function.

Replacing

Intrusive Flowmeters

Magnetic flowmeters and differential pressure devices require pipe penetration and wetted components that erode in abrasive slurry. Maintenance intervals in slurry service are short; repairs require process interruption. The measurement system clamps to the outside: nothing contacts the slurry, nothing wears, and installation requires no pipe cutting.

Replacing

Manual Grab Sampling

Periodic sampling captures discrete data points in a continuously varying process. Excursions between samples are undetected. The measurement system provides a continuous measurement record, every minute of every shift, timestamped and available to process control systems, not just at sampling intervals.

Installation

Designed for Operating Plants

the measurement system can be installed without shutting down the process: no pipe cutting, no welding, no commissioning downtime.

1

Site Assessment

Pipe geometry, material, wall thickness, and slurry characteristics reviewed. Transducer mounting positions and integration details defined.

2

Clamp-On Mounting

Transducer brackets clamped to the pipe exterior. No pipe penetration, no welding, no seal maintenance. Installation typically completed in a single shift.

3

Signal Processing & Calibration

Process unit calibrated to site-specific conditions. Signal quality verified. Baseline measurement established before data goes live.

4

Data Integration

Connectivity according to specified requirements.

Validation Status

What Has Been Proven and What Is Being Proven

the system's cross-correlation measurement physics has been validated in nuclear power environments for 30 years by our technology partner. That record is the proof base, not a claim of automatic equivalence to mineral processing performance.

NuMetrik is exploring co-validation opportunities with prospective research partners for mineral processing slurry applications.

In Practice

Three Representative Deployment Scenarios

The measurement system addresses different measurement needs depending on where in the circuit it is deployed. Each scenario illustrates a distinct measurement challenge, from continuous wear tracking to reagent control to monitoring pump behaviour before problems develop.

SAG Mill Discharge — Flow Monitoring and Continuous Pipe Wear Tracking

SAG mill discharge lines carry high-velocity, high-solids slurry, the most erosive service in most plants. The measurement system is clamped to the discharge line, providing continuous volumetric flow data directly to the process control system while simultaneously tracking pipe wall thickness. Wear is recorded as a continuous trend rather than discovered at scheduled inspection intervals. Plant teams see the wear curve developing, not just the point where it crosses a threshold.

Flotation Feed — Closing the Loop on Density and Reagent Control

Feed consistency to the flotation bank is a direct determinant of reagent dosing efficiency. Once density measurement development for mineral processing conditions is complete, the measurement system will provide the continuous density and flow signal needed to close the reagent control loop in real time, replacing the hourly density sample with a measurement the control system can actually use. Volumetric flow measurement on flotation feed lines is deploy-ready now.

Note: Slurry density measurement is on the active R&D roadmap for mineral processing conditions.

Slurry Pump Lines — Monitoring Pump Behaviour Before Problems Develop

Pump lines in slurry circuits produce acoustic signals that vary with operating conditions. The measurement system monitors these signals continuously, including patterns associated with early-stage changes in pump behaviour. Where acoustic signatures consistent with cavitation onset are present, they become visible in the data earlier than conventional vibration-based indicators, giving plant teams the opportunity to observe trends and respond before conditions deteriorate further.

Note: Cavitation prediction is an active R&D focus area; results will be published as the program advances.

Who Uses the measurement system

Find Your Path In

Different roles in a mineral processing operation have different questions. Find yours.

Operations
Plant Operators & Process Engineers

You run the circuit. You need measurement that works in slurry, doesn't shut down the process, and gives you data you can act on.

Leadership
Mining Executives

Recovery improvement and cost reduction. We can help you assess what continuous process monitoring could mean for your operation.

Equipment
OEMs & Equipment Manufacturers

Embed intelligent measurement into your equipment and differentiate with process intelligence your customers can't get elsewhere.

Advisory
Consultants & Engineering Firms

Specify non-intrusive measurement for greenfield and brownfield projects, backed by independent validation data.

Research
Research Institutions

Join the co-validation program. Access novel instrumentation, shared data, and co-authorship on published results.

Compliance
ESG & Regulators

Continuous measurement replaces manual grab sampling, providing more defensible data for water, energy, and emissions reporting.

Ready to Explore a Pilot?

Tell us your pipe diameter, wall material, slurry characteristics, and what you're trying to measure. We'll tell you what's possible now and what's on the roadmap.

Talk to Our Team