# Size Configuration

Navigation: User Guide - General -> Project Configuration (cfg File) -> Size Configuration

Related Links: Size Distribution (PSD), Size Distribution Definition

# Edit Configuration Step 2 of 2 - Size Data Configuration Tabs

## Introduction

There are three tabs for size data configuration:

These tabs will only be visible if:

• You have the Size Distribution add on; and
• You have selected the size distribution dll or group in the Model selection (see Model Selection)

## Workflow

To add a new size distribution, the work flow is as follows:

1. On the Size Distribution tab:
• Press the "Add Distribution" button (if not renaming the default "Std" distribution).
• Rename the Distribution and set the relevant parameters (Bottom size, Interpolation Method, Species).
2. On the Sieve Series tab:
• Select the new Distribution from the list.
• Define the sizes for the new size distribution using one of the predefined methods or manually.
3. On the Measurements tab:
• Select the new Distribution from the list.
• Define the desired measurements for the new size distribution.

## Sieve Series

 Distribution Each Size Distribution has it's own sieve series. If more than one Size Distribution is available, click on this list box to choose the correct size distribution for sieve series definition. Sieve Series Specification Units: You may change the default engineering units for the sieve series by using the Units list box. Manual Allows the user to manually enter size intervals. The user may add or remove sizes from the series by clicking on the 'Add' or 'Remove' buttons. The user may also change a size by double clicking on the value in the Size series and then entering the required value. Q Creates a series from the minimum and encompassing the maximum values based where the ratio between series is based on the following formulae: $d_{i+1} = d_i \times R$ where $R = 2^{1/3Q}$. Volumes are thus in the ratio $2^{1/Q}$, and if $Q=1$, each consecutive particle volume (or mass) is double the previous one. Q is the number of bins per doubling of particle mass. If MidPt is selected then the start value is $Minimum/(1+0.5(R-1))$ else the start value is Minimum. If the user is planning to use the Alumina Precipitator 3 with PSD , then use the Q option, with Q = 1.0. Sqrt(2) Each interval is √2 times previous interval. Ratio Each interval is Ratio times previous interval. Arithmetic Linear intervals separated by 'A'. Tyler Mesh The full Tyler Mesh series. The user may truncate the series by adjusting the minimum and maximum values. US Mesh The full US Mesh series. The user may truncate the series by adjusting the minimum and maximum values. To Manual By clicking on this button the user transfers the series data to Manual and changes the specification type to Manual. This allows the user to select one of the other methods of size series specification and then modify it as required. Minimum the minimum value for the Sieve Series. NOTE: This is the upper value of the smallest size interval. The absolute smallest size possible (lower value of the smallest size interval) is "Bottom Size" defined on the Size Distribution tab page. The Bottom Size must be less than the Minimum value for the distribution. If the Minimum is set to a value equal to or lower than the Bottom Size, then the Bottom Size will be adjusted to half of the Minimum. Maximum the maximum value used when determining the Sieve Series. Depending on the method, this may not be the upper value of the largest size interval. Number of Points Displays number of Intervals. Decimals For non manual types you can specify 0,1,or 2 decimal places. Copy to Clipboard - This button copies the current sieve series onto the Windows clipboard, allowing it to be pasted into external programs such as Excel. Paste from Clipboard - This button is only available if Manual is selected. It allows the user to copy a sieve series from an external program such as Excel and paste it into the sieve series box.

NOTES:

1. For the smallest size interval the upper value is the smallest value in the sieve series and the lower value is not zero, it is defined by the user as "Bottom Size" on the Size Distribution tab page.
2. When using size separation units, such as Screens and Cyclones the calculated efficiency curve is dependent on the user defined sieve series. Because efficiency curves are usually steep, it is recommended that the user defines as many size fractions around the cut-sizes of interest as possible.
3. If the user wishes to use more than one sieve series in a project, then it is recommended that all of the sieve series have the same number of size intervals. This makes reporting and setting values simpler.
4. Ctrl+C and Ctrl+V will not work in the sieve series box, use the Copy to Clipboard and Paste from Clipboard buttons instead.

## Size Distribution

Each Size Distribution has it's own sieve series. If a new size distribution is added, the Sieve Series Tab should be used to configure the size data.

 Distributions Name If more than one Size Distribution is available, click on this list box to choose the correct size distribution for Distribution Specification. Add Distribution Button Adds a new distribution with a default name. User can double click on the name and type a more descriptive name. You may define any number of size distribution series using this button. Each Size Distribution has it's own sieve series. If a new size distribution is added, the Sieve Series Tab should be used to configure the size data. Remove Distribution Button Removes a distribution from the list. Selected Distribution Specification Units This value is displayed only, you may not change it here. It was defined when the Sieve Series was set up previously. Top Size This value is displayed only, you may not change it here. It was defined when the Sieve Series was set up previously. Bottom Size You may define the bottom size for the size distribution, which is used as the lower value for the smallest size interval. This bottom size will be used in some model calculations, in particular it used in calculating the geometric mean of the smallest size interval. NOTE: the bottom size must be less than the Minimum value specified on the Sieve Series tab for the distribution. If the Minimum is set to a value equal to or lower than the Bottom Size, then the Bottom Size will be adjusted to half of the Minimum. Interpolation Method Linear Linear interpolation is used when performing size distribution calculations. TSpline TSpline interpolation is used when performing size distribution calculations. A spline is a special function defined piecewise by polynomials. LogLog Linear interpolation of the natural logarithm of the size distribution values is used when performing size distribution calculations. LogLogTSpline TSpline interpolation of the natural logarithm of the size distribution values is used when performing size distribution calculations. Select Solid Species Species Selects one or more solid species to contain size data. All solid components are displayed in the Species List, at least one solid component must be defined in the species database and selected here to contain size data. Species are selected or deselected by double clicking. Each selected species will have their own size distribution data. non-selected species will follow the size distribution of the default species. Default species The default species is the one that SysCAD will use to allocate to unspecified solids. (see example below) If a stream contains only solid species that have NOT been selected to contain size data, then the user will not be able to assign size data to those solids. In the example above, solid components Ore1 and Ore2 are selected to have size distribution data and Ore1 will have the default size distribution. Example Using the data shown in the above window: Total solids flow = 100t/h Ore1 = 50t/h Ore2 = 30t/h Ore3 = 20t/h SysCAD must allocate a size distribution to the 20t/h of Ore3. In this case, SysCAD will use the size distribution allocated to Ore1. So, if Ore1 has a d50 = 10mm, then Ore3 will also have a d50 = 10mm.

## Measurements

This page allows the user to specify which measurements they wish to be calculated for each stream species that has a size distribution associated with it. These measurements appear on the MSz tab page when viewing the Access pages.