A methodology to implement a closed-loop feedback-feedforward level control in a laboratory-scale flotation bank using peristaltic pumps
Author(s)
Quintanilla, Paulina
Navia, Daniel
Moreno, Felipe
Neethling, Stephen J
Brito-Parada, Pablo R
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
This paper describes the implementation of a level control strategy in a laboratory-scale flotation system. The laboratory-scale system consists of a bank of three flotation tanks connected in series, which mimics a flotation system found in mineral processing plants. Besides the classical feedback control strategy, we have also included a feedforward strategy to better account for process disturbances. Results revealed that the level control performance significantly improves when a feedforward strategy is considered. This methodology uses peristaltic pumps for level control, which has not been extensively documented even though: (1) peristaltic pumps are commonly used in laboratory-scale systems, and (2) the control implementation is not as straightforward as those control strategies that use valves. Therefore, we believe that this paper, which describes a proven methodology that has been validated in an experimental system, can be a useful reference for many researchers in the field.•Preparation of reagents to ensure that the froth stability of the froth layer is representative of an industrial flotation froth.•Calibration of instruments - convert the electrical signal from PLCs to engineering units.•Tuning PI parameters using SIMC rules by performing step-changes in each flotation cell.
Date Issued
2023
Date Acceptance
2023-02-12
Citation
MethodsX, 2023, 10, pp.1-15
ISSN
2215-0161
Publisher
Elsevier
Start Page
1
End Page
15
Journal / Book Title
MethodsX
Volume
10
Copyright Statement
© 2023 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier B.V. This is an open access article under the CC BY license
(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
License URL
Identifier
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/36896313
PII: S2215-0161(23)00084-5
Subjects
Closed-loop level control
Feedback-feedforward control
Flotation control
Froth flotation
Integrating process
Laboratory-scale flotation bank
Level control of tanks in series using peristaltic pumps
SIMC tuning
Publication Status
Published
Coverage Spatial
Netherlands
Article Number
102081
Date Publish Online
2023-02-16