METHOD FOR MATERIAL SEPARATION Russian patent published in 1994 - IPC

FIELD: mineral concentration. SUBSTANCE: method includes measurement of n-signals and their comparison with preset values, that results in separation of mineral by grades. Prepared preliminary q-samples (q is larger than 5 ) of mineral of each of m grades so that value of grade itself remains constant in samples of each grade, noncontrollable parameter of mineral arbitrarily vary, and values of grades in prepared samples uniformly fill all range of mineral grade variations. Then, values of all n-signals x_1jk, x_2jk, ..., x_njk are measured in each k sample of each j grade, parameters of ellipsoids of signal spread are determined for samples of mineral each grade, values of n signals in mineral sample of unknown grade (composition) x_1a, x_2a, ..., x_na are measured, m distances to centers of all ellipsoids of spread of signals d₁, d₂, ..., d_m are determined, and two minimal distances d_j и d_j+1 from measured signals to centers of ellipsoids are separated, relative values of two minimal distances in units of signal spread ellipsoids are determined, value of variation of grade is found out in samples whose ellipsoids of signal spread are most close to measured point x_1a, x_2a, ..., x_na. Grade (composition) of mineral is estimated by two lowest relative distances and by value of mineral grade variation. EFFECT: higher efficiency.