Real-time elemental analysis for process optimization

The sustainability and economic viability of some of society’s core bulk commodity processes relies on sorting, blending and controlling process streams with ever greater efficiency. Thermo Scientific CB Omni Agile Online Elemental Cross-Belt Analyzer delivers the real-time elemental analysis needed for success. Using market-leading Prompt Gamma Neutron Activation Analysis (PGNAA) technology or Pulsed Fast Thermo Neutron Activation (PFTNA) technology, it uniformly and precisely measures a wide range of industrially relevant elements, for entire raw material process streams. CB Omni Agile analyzer is lightweight, highly configurable, and easy to install. It allows miners and minerals processors, cement and steel manufacturers to reduce sampling and manual analysis, minimize environmental footprint, drive up process efficiency and boost profitability.


Features

Delivering reliable, continuous measurement, for every process

The CB Omni Agile Online Elemental Cross-Belt Analyzer is fully customizable with respect to key parameters such as neutron source, detector number, physical dimensions/geometry, and software. Our experience and expertise are crucial in using this flexibility to create a tailored solution for each application, one that will integrate within the existing plant or an evolving plant design, that will operate reliably, and that will help ensure the required accuracy and precision for your application. 

Configure analyzer with a choice of neutron sources 

PGNAA involves bombarding a sample with thermal neutrons and then measuring the prompt gamma rays released as excited nuclei return to their baseline state. A starting point is therefore the neutron source: either a radioactive isotope or a neutron generator. 

 

Our technical experts have the freedom to configure the CB Omni Agile Analyzer with either Californium-252 (Cf252) or an electrically driven neutron generator depending on the material of interest and the specific application. Electrically driven neutron generators utilize the technique of PFTNA. 

Matching detectors to your application needs

With PGNAA each element produces a prompt gamma ‘fingerprint’. The overall signal in a PGNAA measurement is therefore a function of the elements present and their relative abundance.

 

We use one, two or four large volume NaI scintillation gamma ray detectors for highly sensitive measurement depending on the application needs. We match detector(s) and source to deliver the accuracy and precision needed, given the elements present and their concentration.

Seamless process integration

The CB Omni Agile Analyzer has a lightweight modular design for easy installation and relocation. It fits all types of belts, including those that are steel corded, across a width range of 600 – 1800 mm. Tunnel height is adaptable to process needs. Innovative electronics and multiple options for plant connectivity facilitate integration with existing plant control hierarchies.


Applications

Measuring the elements that are critical for you

The real-time elemental data that the CB Omni Agile Analyzer provides a foundation for better manual control, automated control, and rapid upset detection, for a wide range of processes. The periodic table to the left, which shows ten-minute threshold of detectability data, highlights the elements that PGNAA is suitable for. Check those of interest for your process to assess its potential.
 

Cement

Raw mill

By measuring and controlling the LSF of the feed to the cement kiln, the CB Omni Agile Analyzer allows cement manufacturers to efficiently control the raw mix to the kiln to stabilize operation, thereby preserving refractory life and cutting energy consumption, while simultaneously minimizing raw material cost.

Stockpile management

By measuring the ore exiting the mine grade of stockpile feeds, the CB Omni Agile Analyzer allows mineral processors to reliably reconcile mine-to-mill and quickly respond to ore mis-routings or grade control sampling errors. By measuring stockpile Lime Saturation Factor (LSF) and other parameters such as C3S, it allows cement manufacturers to reduce variability and simultaneously make smarter use of available raw material. 

Sinter

Basicity control

By measuring the basicity of the entire sinter feed stream, the CB Omni Agile Analyzer allows steel producers to ensure a stable, optimized feed to the sintering process, and by extension the blast furnace, despite variability in the incoming iron ore and other raw feedstocks.

Mining

Bulk ore sorting

By measuring the grade of ore exiting the mine, the CB Omni Agile Analyzer allows mineral processors to optimally route material to the primary mill, to waste, to leaching, or alternative processing to achieve effective feed preconcentration with minimal loss of valuable material.

Stockpile and mill feed optimization

By measuring the composition of the incoming feed, the CB Omni Agile Analyzer enables mill operators to responsively manipulate mill variables to minimize energy utilization, maximize throughput and optimize downstream operations. 


Service

We understand that CB Omni Agile systems lie at the heart of operations that work to exacting onstream targets; unplanned downtime is prohibitively expensive.

 

Our global network of experts delivers services and support tailored to your business requirements. These plans control costs while at the same time simplifying in-house maintenance requirements. We are proactive, knowledgeable, experienced and responsive. Partner with us to keep your CB Omni Agile Online Elemental Cross-Belt Analyzer working reliably, 24/7, year after year with minimal effort.

Service plans - Cross belt analyzer instruments

Optimize instrument performance with service and support for online sampling and elemental instruments.

Preventive maintenance

Protect your investment with regular, scheduled care to maintain optimal system performance and reduce operating costs. During a preventive maintenance visit, a field service engineer will review, inspect, and test the system, replace worn parts, complete instrument safety checks, and backup system software.

Remote support

Our experienced global Technical Support team is available to provide troubleshooting assistance and regular monitoring services. In addition, the team monitors key performance indicators and runs diagnostics using a secure remote connection to the system.

Operator training

Optimize your instruments' use and expand your operators' skills with our training options spanning routine maintenance to more advanced needs. We are here to help you be as self-sufficient as you want while remaining available for any additional needs.

Calibration services

Ensure repeatable results with calibration services, including a periodic review of equipment accuracy using customer-provided samples, regression, review of calibration equations, and consultation with the instrument operator when applying new equations, if applicable.

Certified parts

We only use original manufacturers' certified parts to operate your system at maximum productivity. In addition, all our parts are guaranteed to perform to our instruments' rigorous design specifications.

Priority response time

Skip the queue and get priority in resolving any issue. Our team is committed to providing the fastest response time possible. In addition, if a problem cannot be resolved remotely, our service plan customers can access priority onsite support.

Radiation services

We team up with your Radiation Safety Officer to protect your people and location. Our essential radiation services include radiation inspections (leak checks), source installation, source removal & disposal, and repairs.

Instrument performance management (IPM)*

Thermo Scientific Instrument Performance Management (IPM) Software helps maintain production uptime and reduce unplanned maintenance. The cloud-based service platform actively monitors instrument health, status, and performance to intelligently identify critical issues in near real-time.

 

 *Not available on all instrument models; contact the service team to learn more.

With a service plan, you're covered in more ways than ever. You are the expert in your business, and we know how to keep your instrument running at top performance – together, we can build a partnership to achieve your production goals. Customers who partner with us for their service needs have access to our highest level of support and are investing in the longevity of their instrument. A service plan proactively protects instruments, maximizes uptime, manages yearly service expenditures, and allows you to focus on your core business.

 

Service plan highlights:

  • Proactive: regularly scheduled preventive care
  • Safety: radiation service options for safety, maintenance, and repairs
  • Convenience: easy access to a highly experienced technical service team
  • Control: cost control with corrective maintenance features

Premium plans

For customers that want preferential treatment for their scheduled & unscheduled maintenance to limit interruptions.

Advanced plans

For customers that want hassle-free service & corrective maintenance management with a predictable budget for their operations.

Preventive plans

For customers that require support to keep their instruments at optimal performance and have limited technical staff availability.

Service plan descriptions

 

Premium

Advanced

Preventive

Preventive services

Preventive maintenance (PM)

Radiation inspection1,5

Optimization & performance check1

Static calibration2

10% off

Dynamic calibration support2

10% off

Operator training3

Radiation services

Radiation source

10% off (option to include)

10% off (option to include)

5% off

Neutron generator repair6

10% off

10% off

5% off

Installation and removal of radiation source1,6

Disposal of the radiation source

Option

Option

Option

Corrective maintenance and instrument optimization

Remote technical support5

24/7

Business hours (Option-24/7)

Business hours  

Targeted onsite response4

Top priority

High priority

Priority

Labor & travel

10% off

Spare parts

10% off

10% off

System audit & consultancy

Option

Option

Option

Additional onsite application support

10% off

10% off

 

Software upgrades

 

System upgrades

10% off

10% off

 

  1. During PM, only radiation sources/neutron generators are excluded.
  2. Conditions apply.
  3. Up to 8 hours per year during scheduled site visits.
  4. During a PM visit, after a vital part was replaced.
  5. Actual targeted response time varies by region.
  6. If applicable to the customer's equipment

Software

Generating the metrics you need for process control

Thermo Scientific Omni View GUI is the primary user interface for the CB Omni Agile Online Elemental Cross-Belt Analyzer. Flexible and highly configurable, it allows multiple users to simultaneously access, process, and display data to meet individual and process requirements. With a multi-year database for data archiving and the ability to track system health, Omni View helps users to realize the full value that CB Omni Agile Analyzer can deliver.

 

Software packages for specific applications 

RAMOS Raw Mix Optimization Software

Thermo Scientific RAMOS Raw Mix Optimization Software is a powerful and flexible solution for blend proportioning. It allows users to automatically adjust raw mix feed flows based on real-time elemental analysis data to deliver a consistent blend of predefined composition, while minimizing cost and meeting process goals. RAMOS is the key to minimizing variability in the cement kiln feed and in the sinter strand and delivers gains in the form of higher kiln throughput, longer refractory life, lower fuel consumption, better use of less expensive raw materials, and extended quarry life.  

PREBOS Pre-Blending Optimization Software

Thermo Scientific PREBOS Pre-Blending Optimization Software is a powerful and flexible solution for stockpile quality control. It allows users to automatically adjust feed rate percentages for multiple raw materials based on real-time elemental analysis to meet stockpile composition targets, simultaneously minimizing stockpile variability and costs. PREBOS is the key to highly effective stockpile composition control (blending or non-blending type), whether manual or automated. PREBOS delivers gains by reducing or eliminating the need for active blending in homogenization silos, optimizing the use of different raw materials and minimizing the chemical variability of plant feed, thereby stabilizing plant operation.

AccuLINK Software Package

Thermo Scientific AccuLINK Software Package continuously compares online analytical data with results from the lab, automatically calibrating online measurements to gold standard lab methods. AccuLINK software helps to ensure online measurements have lab standard accuracy, with minimal manual intervention, thereby safeguarding operation at the optimal setpoint for maximum profitability. AccuLINK software is also a highly effective diagnostic tool for troubleshooting. 

Resources

Learn more about the CB Omni Agile Analyzer and PGNAA technology

 Visit the PGNAA Technology Learning Center and browse our diverse range of documents, videos, webinars, and other resources below to see how you can cross-belt analyzers work for your specific application.


Webcasts

For Research Use Only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.