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An investigation into the use of froth colour as sensor for metallurgical grade in a copper system
Bibliography: leaves 91-92.
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| Other Authors: | |
| Format: | Thesis |
| Language: | English |
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Department of Chemical Engineering
2015
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| _version_ | 1867613232920788993 |
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| access_status_str | Open Access |
| author | Heinrich, Glen Sean |
| author2 | Bradshaw, Dee |
| author_browse | Bradshaw, Dee Heinrich, Glen Sean |
| author_facet | Bradshaw, Dee Heinrich, Glen Sean |
| author_sort | Heinrich, Glen Sean |
| collection | Thesis |
| description | Bibliography: leaves 91-92. |
| format | Thesis |
| id | oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/15427 |
| institution | University of Cape Town (South Africa) |
| language | eng |
| last_indexed | 2026-06-10T12:32:52.713Z |
| license_str | Not specified — see source repository |
| provenance_str_mv | Harvested via OAI-PMH from UCTD — University of Cape Town Open Access Repository |
| publishDate | 2015 |
| publishDateRange | 2015 |
| publishDateSort | 2015 |
| publisher | Department of Chemical Engineering |
| publisherStr | Department of Chemical Engineering |
| record_format | dspace |
| source_str | UCTD — University of Cape Town Open Access Repository |
| spelling | oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/15427 An investigation into the use of froth colour as sensor for metallurgical grade in a copper system Heinrich, Glen Sean Bradshaw, Dee Chemical Engineering Bibliography: leaves 91-92. In recent years the development of Machine Vision systems has opened up new possibilities for non-intrusive process performance sensors and process control. There are currently various Machine Vision systems on notation plants worldwide (Metso at Kennecott, Frothcam at Escondida). Extensive research has been done on using froth image analysis in closed loop control (Hyotyniemi et aI, 2000; Kittel et aI, 2001; Holtham and Nguyen, 2002; Cipriano et aI, 1998) and recently plants have been using these systems to control the air or level of a flotation cell as a means of controlling mass pull using the froth velocity output. As yet no flotation plants have reported the use of froth colour in their control strategies, however it is well accepted that an experienced operator can judge the metallurgical state of a flotation cell by the appearance of the froth, using colour as a key descriptor of grade, particularly in the case of copper froths. For this reason an investigation was undertaken to evaluate whether a relationship existed between concentrate grade and the froth colour obtained using a Machine Vision system. This relationship could be used to control reagent addition or for system diagnostics. Both would be invaluable tools for the flotation industry. A Machine Vision system called SmartFroth has been developed at University of Cape Town (VCT) as a research tool to investigate the relationships between froth surface indicators and metallurgical parameters. The relationship between froth colour and % solids was also investigated as it was believed that solids loading could be reflected by froth colour. This work was aimed at evaluating the empirical relationship between froth colour and copper grade in the laboratory and then investigating whether a similar relationship existed on plant. Various colour spaces were examined to find one appropriate for the copper flotation froths in order to allow for accurate colour analysis. It also evaluated the use of calibration objects in the colour analysis of flotation froths. This work also evaluated relating froth colour to % solids on plant. Two batch flotation campaigns were done using different ores as well as a preliminary plant trial. 2015-11-27T11:14:12Z 2015-11-27T11:14:12Z 2003 Master Thesis Masters MSc (Eng) http://hdl.handle.net/11427/15427 eng application/pdf Department of Chemical Engineering Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment University of Cape Town |
| spellingShingle | Chemical Engineering Heinrich, Glen Sean An investigation into the use of froth colour as sensor for metallurgical grade in a copper system |
| thesis_degree_str | Master's |
| title | An investigation into the use of froth colour as sensor for metallurgical grade in a copper system |
| title_full | An investigation into the use of froth colour as sensor for metallurgical grade in a copper system |
| title_fullStr | An investigation into the use of froth colour as sensor for metallurgical grade in a copper system |
| title_full_unstemmed | An investigation into the use of froth colour as sensor for metallurgical grade in a copper system |
| title_short | An investigation into the use of froth colour as sensor for metallurgical grade in a copper system |
| title_sort | investigation into the use of froth colour as sensor for metallurgical grade in a copper system |
| topic | Chemical Engineering |
| url | http://hdl.handle.net/11427/15427 |
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