Monitoring and control of a froth flotation plant

Apparatus for monitoring and controlling a froth flotation cell of a flotation plant, the apparatus including:

• an optical observation means for acquiring a series of digital images of froth in the flotation cell and emitting corresponding digital image signals,
• a computer for processing the digital image signals emitted by the optical observation means, calculating parameter values of a froth characteristic of froth in the flotation cell based oil thie digital image signals, emitting a parameter signal representative of the calculated parameter values, and generating a control signal in response to the parameter signal, and
• a control means responsive to the control signal for effecting variation in the froth characteristic of froth in the flotation cell,
• wherein the froth characteristic is selected from the group consisting of froth speed, froth stability and bubble size.

Apparatus for monitoring and controlling a froth flotation cell of a flotation plant, the apparatus including:

• an optical observation means for acquiring a series of digital images of froth in the flotation cell and emitting corresponding digital image signals,
• a computer for processing the digital image signals emitted by the optical observation means, calculating parameter values of a froth characteristic of froth in the flotation cell based on the digital image signals, emitting a parameter signal representative of the calculated parameter values, and generating a control signal in response to the parameter signal,
• a display means for displaying the parameter signal emitted by the computer, and
• a control means responsive to the control signal for effecting variation in the froth characteristic of froth in the flotation cell,
• wherein the froth characteristic is selected from the group consisting of froth speed, froth stability and bubble size.

A method of monitoring operation of a froth flotation cell of a flotation plant, comprising:

• acquiring a series of digital images of froth in the flotation call,
• processing the digital images and generating therefrom a parameter signal that represents a calculated value of a froth characteristic of froth in the flotation cell, and
• displaying the calculated value of the froth characteristic,
• wherein the froth characteristic is selected from the group consisting of froth speed, froth stability and bubble size.

A method of monitoring operation of a froth flotation cell of a flotation plant, comprising:

• acquiring a series of digital images of froth in the flotation cell,
• processing the digital images and generating therefrom a parameter signal that represents a calculated value of a froth characteristic of froth in the flotation cell,
• generating a control signal that represents difference between the calculated value of the front characteristic and a setpoint of the froth characteristic and effecting variation in the froth characteristic in response to the control signal to reduce said difference, and
• effecting variation in the froth characteristic in response to the control signal to reduce said difference,
• wherein the froth characteristic is selected from the group consisting of froth speed, froth stability and bubble size.

A method of monitoring operation of a froth flotation cell of a flotation plant, comprising:

• acquiring a series of digital images of froth in the flotation cell,
• processing the digital images and generating therefrom a parameter signal that represents a calculated value of a froth characteristic of froth in the flotation cell,
• generating a control signal that represents difference between the calculated value of the froth characteristic and a setpoint of the froth characteristic,
• displaying the calculated value of the froth characteristic, and
• effecting variation in the froth characteristic in response to the control signal to reduce said difference,
• wherein the froth characteristic is selected from the group consisting of froth speed, froth stability and bubble size.