Froth collapse in column flotation: a prevention method using froth density estimation and fuzzy expert systems

This paper aims at describing the use of two well-known techniques, i.e. expert systems and soft sensors in order to develop a prevention method for the froth collapse problem. This will be achieved by monitoring concentrate froth solid-to-liquids ratio. This scheme is outlined like an alternative solution to artificial vision based methods, and it was tested by simulation under several perturbations affecting the metallurgical performance.