Imaging and control of flotation processes
Numcore's technology is also well suited to three-dimensional imaging of flotation processes. For the first time, it is now possible to see inside the flotation cell. With the CoreApus and CoreHydra technologies you can see inside the froth, image the air bubble and bubble size distributions and measure the solid matter content. This new information can be used to control the process, for example, by adjusting the air, frother or feed flows. The real-time 3D imaging and process control has a direct impact on improving the runnability and the outcome of the process.
The CoreApus and CoreHydra systems can measure without disturbing the flotation process. Compared to the existing camera technologies, CoreApus and CoreHydra can see inside the process, regardless the material opacity and, furthermore, is not just imaging the surface layer of the froth. This is a significant improvement over the existing technologies. Flotation cells of up to 500 mm in diameter can be imaged with the CoreApus sensors. In larger flotation cells, CoreHydra sensors can be used.
CoreApus in pilot tests at GTK, Outokumpu
During the year 2009, the CoreApus technology was used to image a column flotation cell in the Mineral Processing Laboratory of the Geological Survey of Finland (GTK) in Outokumpu, Eastern Finland. CoreApus technology is very useful in developing flotation for new and sometimes complicated ores. It is a completely new way of looking at the process in whole. The tomographic images yield new information on the time-dependent ore and air distributions in the flotation cell. This information can be used to predict the behavior of the flotation process, such as the collapse of the solid content in the froth bed. This is totally new and very useful information, not available before the CoreApus technology of Numcore.
Sample pictures
CoreApus 3D image reconstruction and trends from the air injection before stable process.
CoreApus 3D image reconstruction and trends during the flotation process.
The imaged area contains froth–liquid interface. These results can be used to predict the
collapse of the solid matter in the froth during the flotation process.
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