Title

VARGEM GRANDE PLANT FLOTATION PROCESS OPTIMIZATION: IFLOT SYSTEM

VARGEM GRANDE PLANT FLOTATION PROCESS OPTIMIZATION: IFLOT SYSTEM

Authorship

Castro, Emir Birro de; Horta, Frederico Ibrahim; Cruz, Marcello Rodrigues

Castro, Emir Birro de

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Horta, Frederico Ibrahim

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Cruz, Marcello Rodrigues

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DOI

10.5151/2594-357x-0037

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Abstract

This work started in the year 2005 when the possibility of using intelligent systems for flotation control were identified. Over the course of 2005 a number of works were conducted aimed at mapping control and process variables for Vargem Grande flotation plant, as well as to identify how an intelligent automated system would control these variables. In general, this system comprises a database containing flotation operations log over a long period of time, which allowed for defining an optimized performance curve for this system, and a software developed specifically for this application to control the flotation process' instrumentation-based supervisory system in order to control the process efficacy within the optimized curve. Qualitative tests were performed in 2007 using a prototype of this system, the results of which made it possible to frame industrial scale tests in 2008 for approximately three weeks. During the tests, it was noticed that the system drastically reduces the variance and the standard deviation of mass and metallurgical recovery results. Additionally, an increased average of mass and metallurgic recovery results was observed, the flotation concentrate being kept within product's specifications. The system's weakness is that it does not immediately and assertively interfere when the ore presents and atypical behavior in relation to i-Flot database.

This work started in the year 2005 when the possibility of using intelligent systems for flotation control were identified. Over the course of 2005 a number of works were conducted aimed at mapping control and process variables for Vargem Grande flotation plant, as well as to identify how an intelligent automated system would control these variables. In general, this system comprises a database containing flotation operations log over a long period of time, which allowed for defining an optimized performance curve for this system, and a software developed specifically for this application to control the flotation process' instrumentation-based supervisory system in order to control the process efficacy within the optimized curve. Qualitative tests were performed in 2007 using a prototype of this system, the results of which made it possible to frame industrial scale tests in 2008 for approximately three weeks. During the tests, it was noticed that the system drastically reduces the variance and the standard deviation of mass and metallurgical recovery results. Additionally, an increased average of mass and metallurgic recovery results was observed, the flotation concentrate being kept within product's specifications. The system's weakness is that it does not immediately and assertively interfere when the ore presents and atypical behavior in relation to i-Flot database.

Keywords

Flotation; Optimization; Mineral process; Simulation.

Flotation; Optimization; Mineral process; Simulation.