Application of Image Analysis Systems in flotation process

Authors

1 Department of Mining & Metallurgical Engineering, Amirkabir University of Technology, Tehran, Iran

2 Department of Mining Engineering, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

Froth flotation is the most widely used technique for the separation of valuable minerals from gangue ones. Changeable nature of feed, interaction of variables and weakness of accurate measurement equipment have made the development of monitoring methods and continues control of flotation circuits to an important issue. Today with the advance of technology, machine vision systems based on image processing methods are considered a rapid, cheap and safe detection device in mineral processing industries. The appearance of flotation froth surface consists of significant information process which easily distinguishes the process operation condition. Size distribution of froth bubbles is the reflection of froth stability and velocity and is the best criterion for the efficiency estimation of flotation operation. This paper is the updated review of the most common methods of size estimation of flotation froth bubbles along with their benefits and shortcomings and ideas for future studies in this area. Likewise, the correlation between concentrate grade and recovery with the froth bubble size is investigated.

Keywords