Track: Industry Solutions

Abstract

Lime can be hazardous to human health if inhaled. Workers are exposed to airborne lime particles with the current dosing system as they manually add lime from 25kg bags onto a moving conveyor belt during gold processing. A dosing system is essential to accurately and consistently add precise amounts of substances to various processes or products. Manual dosing systems frequently run into several technical issues too, such as inaccuracies, inconsistent results, operator mistakes, security issues, and problems with monitoring and control. By using an Arduino microcontroller to create an automated lime dosing system for Bulawayo Mining Company, this research project addressed these problems. To create a program that enables the microcontroller to communicate with various sensors and hardware elements, the Arduino IDE software is used. A pH sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, a servo, a liquid crystal display (LCD), and a DC pump are some of the components of the circuit. The DC pump automatically activates to bring the pulp's pH value back to 9 when the pH level rises above a predetermined threshold. The LCD shows the pH readings and the water level, giving operators access to information in real time. This research presents the design and implementation of an automated lime dosing system using an Arduino microcontroller to address the issues with manual dosing systems. The system reduces downtime, offers precise and consistent dosing, and prevents operator exposure to lime. By using lime in solution form, the solution also benefits the environment.