Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Figure 7.1
Visual information-based flotation control strategy evaluated at Newcrest Mining's Ca-
dia Valley Operations
In crushing, grinding and flotation control there are numerous applications in
each of the categories. Before presenting various industrial products that make use
of these approaches, we briefly review the fundamental ideas behind them [25].
7.3.1 Intelligent Control
In engineering, knowledge is formulated in terms of mathematical models based on
the laws of physics or chemistry that are generally expressed as ordinary or partial
differential equations or difference equations. These models are used to quantita-
tively analyze the behavior of processes or systems either through analytical studies
or, where that is not possible, via simulation-based numerical studies. If the models
are dynamic they can be employed to develop automatic control algorithms, strate-
gies or systems [26].
Although model-based methodologies have a solid foundation, in many cases
mineral processing plant operators resort with considerable success, to decisions
based on their own experience or that of colleagues or supervisors. Such empirical
knowledge may be formulated as decision rules of the type
IF antecedent THEN consequent
In automatic control applications, the antecedent generally includes comparisons
between variables measured by the sensors and reference values or operating limits
as well as logical operations between linguistic variables defined by partitioning into
sets the operating ranges of a measured variable. The consequent usually implies
assigning to manipulated variables values that are sent to the actuators [27].
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