Patent EA-004377-B1 (EA)
Title: Monitoring and control of a froth flotation plant
Inventor: DU PLESSIS FRANCOIS EBERHARD
IPC: B03D1/14
Filed: 2000-11-23
Abstract: 1. A monitoring arrangement for a froth flotation cell of a flotation plant, which arrangement includes an optical observation means adapted to observe digitally a series of images to extract froth characteristics in a mineral mixture flow in a froth flotation cell of a flotation plant and being further adapted to emit corresponding digital image signals; a computer for processing digital image signals received from the optical observation means and being adapted to emit parameter signals of calculated parameters of froth characteristics; digital image transmitting means adapted for transmitting digital image signals from the optical observation means to the computer; display means for displaying parameter signals received from the computer; and parameter signal transmitting means adapted for transmitting parameter signals from the computer to the display means. 2. A monitoring arrangement as claimed in claim 1, in which the froth characteristics are selected from a group including froth speed, froth stability and bubble size. 3. A monitoring arrangement as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, in which the parameter signals transmitted from the computer are converted to an analog industrial standard. 4. A monitoring arrangement as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, in which the parameter signals transmitted from the computer are converted to a digital industrial standard. 5. A monitoring and control arrangement for a froth flotation cell of a flotation plant, which arrangement includes an optical observation means adapted to observe digitally a series of images to extract froth characteristics in a mineral mixture flow in a froth flotation cell of a flotation plant and being further adapted to emit corresponding digital image signals; a computer for processing digital image signals received from the optical observation means and being adapted to emit parameter signals of calculated parameters of froth characteristics and being further adapted to produce control signals in response to parameter signals received for causing required variations in froth characteristics in a froth flotation cell; digital image transmitting means adapted for transmitting digital image signals from the optical observation means to the computer; control means for controlling froth characteristics in a froth flotation cell; and control signal transmitting means adapted for transmitting control signals from the computer to the control means for causing required variations in froth characteristics in a froth flotation cell. 6. A monitoring and control arrangement as claimed in claim 5, in which the froth characteristics are selected from a group including froth speed, froth stability and bubble size. 7. A monitoring and control arrangement as claimed in claim 5 or claim 6, in which the parameter signals transmitted from the computer are converted to an analog industrial standard. 8. A monitoring and control arrangement as claimed in claim 5 or claim 6, in which the parameter signals transmitted from the computer are converted to a digital industrial standard. 9. A monitoring and control arrangement for a froth flotation cell of a flotation plant, which arrangement includes an optical observation means adapted to observe digitally a series of images to extract froth characteristics in a mineral mixture flow in a froth flotation cell of a flotation plant and being further adapted to emit corresponding digital image signals; a computer for processing digital image signals received from the optical observation means and being adapted to emit parameter signals of calculated parameters of froth characteristics and being further adapted to produce control signals in response to parameter signals received for causing required variations in froth characteristics in a froth flotation cell; digital image transmitting means adapted for transmitting digital image signals from the optical observation means to the computer; display means for displaying calculated parameter froth characteristic signals received from the computer; parameter signal transmitting means adapted for transmitting parameter signals from the computer to the display means; control means for controlling froth characteristics in a froth flotation cell; and control signal transmitting means adapted for transmitting control signals from the computer to the control means for causing required variations in froth characteristics in a froth flotation cell. 10. A monitoring and control arrangement as claimed in claim 9, in which the froth characteristics are selected from a group including froth speed, froth stability and bubble size. 11. A monitoring and control arrangement as claimed in claim 9 or claim 10, in which the parameter signals transmitted from the computer are converted to an analog industrial standard. 12. A monitoring and control arrangement as claimed in claim 10 or claim 11, in which the parameter signals transmitted from the computer are converted to a digital industrial standard. 13. A method of monitoring a mineral mixture flow in a froth flotation cell of a flotation plant, which includes the steps of obtaining a series of digital images extracted of froth characteristics from a flotation cell of a flotation plant; of transmitting the digital images to a computer for processing thereof; of processing the digital images in the computer into parameter signals of digital parameter froth characteristics; and of transmitting the parameter signals to a display means for displaying the digital parameter froth characteristics obtained. 14. A method of monitoring as claimed in claim 13, in which the froth characteristics are selected from a group including froth speed, froth stability and bubble size. 15. A method of monitoring as claimed in claim 13 or claim 14, in which the parameter signals transmitted from the computer are converted to an analog industrial standard. 16. A method of monitoring as claimed in claim 13 or claim 14, in which the parameter signals transmitted from the computer are converted to a digital industrial standard. 17. A method of monitoring and controlling a mineral mixture flow in a froth flotation cell of a flotation plant, which includes the steps of obtaining a series of digital images extracted of froth characteristics from a flotation cell of a flotation plant; of transmitting the digital images to a computer for processing thereof; of processing the digital images in the computer into parameter signals of digital parameter froth characteristics; of producing control signals in response to parameter signals received for causing required variations in froth characteristics in a froth flotation cell; and of controlling the froth characteristics in the flotation cell in response to the control signals so as to cause required variations in the froth characteristics in the cell. 18. A method of monitoring and controlling as claimed in claim 17, in which froth characteristics are selected from a group including froth speed, froth stability and bubble size. 19. A method of monitoring and controlling as claimed in claim 17 or claim 18, in which the parameter signals transmitted from the computer are converted to an analog standard. 20. A method of monitoring and controlling as claimed in claim 17 or claim 18, in which the parameter signals transmitted from the computer are converted to a digital industrial standard. 21. A method of monitoring and controlling a mineral mixture flow in a froth flotation cell of a flotation plant, which includes the steps of obtaining a series of digital images extracted of froth characteristics from a flotation cell of a flotation plant; of transmitting the digital images to a computer for processing thereof; of processing the digital images in the computer into parameter signals of digital parameter froth characteristics; of transmitting the parameter signals to a display means for displaying the digital parameter froth characteristics obtained; of producing control signals in response to parameter signals received for causing required variations in froth characteristics in a froth flotation cell; and of controlling the froth characteristics in the flotation cell in response to the control signals so as to cause required variations in the froth characteristics in the cell. 22. A method of monitoring and controlling as claimed in claim 21, in which froth characteristics are selected from a group including froth speed, froth stability and bubble size. 23. A method of monitoring and controlling as claimed in claim 21 or claim 22, in which the parameter signals transmitted from the computer are converted to an analog industrial standard. 24. A method of monitoring and controlling as claimed in claim 21 or claim 22, in which the parameter signals transmitted from the computer are converted to a digital industrial standard.