A methodology to implement a closed-loop feedback-feedforward level control in a laboratory-scale flotation bank using peristaltic pumps

Paulina Quintanilla; Daniel Navia; Felipe Moreno; Stephen J Neethling; Pablo R Brito-Parada

doi:10.1016/j.mex.2023.102081

A methodology to implement a closed-loop feedback-feedforward level control in a laboratory-scale flotation bank using peristaltic pumps

MethodsX. 2023 Feb 16:10:102081. doi: 10.1016/j.mex.2023.102081. eCollection 2023.

Authors

Paulina Quintanilla¹, Daniel Navia², Felipe Moreno², Stephen J Neethling¹, Pablo R Brito-Parada¹

Affiliations

¹ Department of Earth Science and Engineering, Royal School of Mines, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom.
² Departamento de Ingeniería Química, Universidad Técnica Federico Santa María, Campus San Joaquín, Santiago, Chile.

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.

Keywords: 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.