Skip to main content
Log in

Model-based feedforward control scheme for flotation plants

  • Published:
Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Conventional control schemes in use today are not able to produce satisfactory control when high-frequency disturbances are present in the flotation feed. An advanced model-based control scheme is presented here as a promising solution to this control problem. The main feature of this control scheme is the real time identification of the unknown disturbances in the first few cells of the flotation circuit. This information is used to control the rest of the flotation plant in a feedforward fashion. This control scheme also provides flexibility to meet any metallurgical, economical, or management objective.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Bascur, O.A., 1982, “Modeling and Computer Control of a Flotation Cell,” PhD Dissertation, University of Utah, Salt Lake City.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bascur, O.A., and Herbst, J.A., 1982, “Dynamic Modeling of Flotation: With a View Toward Automatic Control”, Preprints, 14th International Mineral Processing Congress, Toronto, Canada.

  • Bascur, O.A., and Herbst, J.A., 1984, “On Development of a Model-Based Control Strategy for Copper-Ore Flotation,” Proceedings, Workshop of Flotation of Sulphide Minerals, Stockholm, Sweden, June.

  • Brown, R.G., 1983, Random Signal Analysis and Kalman Filtering, John Wiley and Sons, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Derjaguin, B.V., and Dukhin, S.S., 1961, “Theory of Flotation of Small and Medium Size Particles”, Bulletin, Institution of Mining and Metallurgy. Vol. 70, p. 221.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hales, L.B., and Pate, W.T., 1985, “Supervisory and Optimal Control Strategies for Mineral Processing Plants,” 24th Annual Conference of Metallurgists, Canadian Institute of Mining & Metallurgy, Vancouver.

  • Hartland, S., and Barber A.D., 1974, “A Model for the Cellular Foam,” Transactions, The Institute of Chemical Engineers, Vol. 52, pp. 43–62.

    Google Scholar 

  • Herbst, J.A., and Bascur, O.A., 1983, “Evaluation of Control Alternatives for Coal Flotation,” SME Preprint 83–145, SME-AIME Annual Meeting, Atlanta, GA, March.

  • Herbst, J.A., Rajamani, K., and Pate, W.T., 1980, “Identification of Ore Hardness Disturbances in a Grinding Circuit Using a Kalman Filter,” Proceedings,3rd IFAC Symposium on Automation in Mining, Mineral and Processing, J. O’Shea and M. Polis, eds., Pergamon Press, Oxford, England, pp. 333–347.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jaswinski, A.H., 1970, Stochastic Process and Filter Theory, Academic Press. New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kalman, R.E., 1960, “A New Approach to Linear Filtering and Prediction Problems,” Journal of Basic Engineering, ASME, pp. 35–45, March.

  • Klasen, V.I., and Tikhonov, S.A., 1964, “On the Mechanical Separation of Slime Particles During Flotation”, Tsvetnye Metally, Vol. 5, No. 9, pp. 4–8.

    Google Scholar 

  • Maybeck, P.S., 1979, Stochastic Models, Estimation and Control, Vol. 1, Academic Press, New York.

    MATH  Google Scholar 

  • McKee, D.J., et al., 1976, “Computer Control of Chalcopyrite Flotation at Mount Isa Mines Limited,” Froth Flotation, M.C. Fuerstenau ed., AIME, New York, pp. 999–1026.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mika, T.S, and Fuerstenau, D.W., 1968, “A Microscopic Model of the Flotation Process,” 8th International Mineral Processing Congress, Vol. 2, Mechanobr, Leningrad, USSR.

  • Paakineen, J.E., and Cooper, H.R., 1979, “Flotation Process Control,” Computer Methods of the 80’s, A. Weiss, ed., AIME, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rajamani, K., 1979, “Optimal Control of Closed-Circuit Ball Mill Grinding,” PhD Dissertation, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wells, C.H., 1971, “Application of Modern Estimation and Identification Techniques to Chemical Process,” Journal, American Institute of Chemical Engineers, Vol 17, pp. 966–973.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zaragoza, R., 1987, “Modeling and Computer Control of Flotation,” PhD Dissertation, University of Utah, Salt Lake City.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Additional information

SME preprint 87–156, SME Annual Meeting, Denver, CO, February 1987. M&MP paper 87–645. Discussion of this paper must be submitted, in duplicate, prior to Jan. 31, 1989.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Zaragoza, R., Herbst, J.A. Model-based feedforward control scheme for flotation plants. Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration 5, 177–185 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03402507

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03402507

Navigation