Mathematical modeling and simulation of industrial flotation circuits

In context of simulation of industrial flotation circuits, mathematical models are identified to perform six primary tasks: (i) modeling flotation kinetics, (ii) feed characterization, (iii) scale-up and plant design, (iv) simulation of flotation circuits, (v) synthesis of optimal flotation circuits, and (vi) feed identification. Mathematical models for flotation kinetics have been categorised according to phase-species classification. Important models arc discussed. The rate constant is interpreted as a lumped kinetic parameter in a detailed multi-phase flotation model which explicitly incorporates bubble phase and froth stability index. Feed to flotation circuits is characterized by conjugate distributions of total mass and mineral mass in apparent flotation rate constant as the common attribute. Relevance and estimation of scale-up factor which may be used to design a continuous plant using laboratory batch data is discussed. Split or enhancement factors are formulated for different kinetics models. Simulation of steady st:ltc dynamics of flotation circuits, in terms of these factors, is described. Recent advances in the field of synthesis of optimal circuits based on rigorous quantitative analysis of alternate possibilities are mentioned. Role of mathematical modeling in feed identification from plant data is indicated.