Relating Froth Vision to Cell Operating Performance in Industrial Flotation Plants
In the flotation process it is clearly recognised that there are two distinct particulate systems prevailing: a pulp phase and a froth phase. Only recently (in the past two decades) has the froth zone been recognised as a region which contributes to the overall flotation performance. Increasingly digital imaging is being embraced by flotation operations to characterise froth behaviour. The extent to which froth imaging may be used as a tool to correlate operating performance to froth colour and morphology in a meaningful way has been investigated at a number of industrial flotation plants. Experiences with a number of different flotation cell types, operating under different duties are discussed. The impact of solids loading in the froth on froth descriptors is illustrated indicating the need to understand role of particles on the micro-scale sub processes occurring in the froth such as bubble coalescence. Analysis of froth characteristics down a flotation bank has shown the dependence of froth descriptors (such as bubble size, colour and texture) on the operating performance of a cell and the measured froth stability. The froth imaging methodologies being developed present new opportunities for incorporating imaging techniques into metallurgical diagnostics in industrial flotation plants.