A dynamic flotation model for rapid prototyping of industrial control and monitoring solutions

Abstract:

Dynamic flotation modelling is a valuable tool for designing process control and monitoring solutions for industrial application. However, flotation modelling is challenging, due to the complex interactions in the pulp and froth phases in a flotation cell, represented by hydrodynamic and kinetic relations. Dynamic flotation models published in literature are often not reproducible, due to a lack of sufficient detail (including parameter values and typical operating conditions), or do not consider specific relations of interest. In this work, a dynamic flotation model is developed for the purpose of rapid prototyping of industrial control and monitoring solutions, specifically such solutions that make use of pulp and froth sensors. These requirements determined the model complexity (e.g., including hydrodynamic and frother relations, while limiting the number of tunable parameters to allow easy calibration for new case studies). The goal is not a high-fidelity, high accuracy model, but a model that captures typical measurements, inputs, and interactions. A copper rougher case study with complete parameter and operating condition descriptions is provided, to promote reproducibility and further development of the model. Example applications of the dynamic flotation model to the design of advanced process control and frother advisor monitoring are also described.