Machine-vision-based Online Measuring and Controlling Technologies for Mineral Flotation——A Review

Abstract

The real-time monitoring and control of mineral flotation process are difcult due to several facts/system characteristics: long flotation processes, wide distribution range, multiple-variable control system and undetectability of crucial production parameters. All these facts/system characteristics have greatly restricted the optimal operation and automation level of flotation process. However, the visual features of flotation froth surface play the indication role to illustrate the production states and degree. As a consequence, machine vision technology is employed to facilitate the control strategy design for mineral flotation process and to promote the resource recovery. This paper reviews the key technologies and the corresponding achievements associated to the system design of the flotation process monitoring and control. Concretely, those key technologies involve the skills to extract and characterize the key froth image features,detect and identify the process parameters and production states. Moreover, the realizations of froth image based mineral flotation process monitoring system are discussed. Finally, recommendations for future research encountered in the control strategy design for flotation process based on machine vision are suggested.