A combined morphological and color based approach to characterize flotation froth bubbles

Flotation process monitoring and control are complex targets due to the highly non-linear behavior of the process and the large number of variables involved. Such a goal is generally achieved adopting a human based approach: experienced plant operators, observing the surface of flotation cells, suggest, on the base of their experience, control actions such as changing the cell level set points and/or modifying reactive doses. Main goal of the paper is to demonstrate as adopting a combined approach based on the evaluation of the morphological and morphometrical features of the froth bubbles, and their color characteristics, it is possible to perform a froth structure analysis. Froth structure modeling permits to derive useful information about the flotation process behavior. The structure analysis carried out by means of digital imaging procedures based on color, texture and morphometry of the froth enables the definition of froth classes that can be used to define mineral concentration by means of estimation models set up starting from the analysis of the flotation froth images. The paper describes how, adopting such an approach, it is possible to identify different froth classes and how to utilize the results inside estimation models.