Sparger status sensor system

A network of sensor systems for spargers for injection of bubbles into a flotation system, comprising:

• a plurality of spargers that each comprise a housing with an inlet configured to receive a flow of compressed gas;
• a movable rod assembly within each housing comprising a nozzle and a rod within said nozzle, said rod connected to a diaphragm that is further connected to a spring such that compressed air entering said housing acts on said diaphragm to compress said spring and retract said rod from said nozzle;
• each said sparger comprising a sensor system, wherein each said sensor system further comprises a sensor and a target that move relative to each other, wherein one of said sensor and said target is located in said housing the other is located or attached to said movable rod assembly, said sensor for measuring parameters of motion, position, and vibration relative to said target based on the movement of said movable rod assembly, a flow measurement device in line with said inlet, and said sensor system for determining operating parameters of the sparger based on analysis of the measured motion, position, and vibration of said sensor relative to said target and flow measurements from said flow measurement device;
• and
• each sensor and each flow measurement device outputs a signal to a signal processor and said signal processor generates a signal output to a central control unit, wherein said central control unit aggregates and analyzes each said signal to display operating parameters of each corresponding said sparger and provide overall system performance data.