Integrated flotation control system design using computer vision

In this study, an integrated control system supported by image processing was designed, especially for the automation of flotation systems widely used in the mining industry. Flotation is an ore enrichment method based on buoyancy, and form of the froth in the process, plays a major role in whether the flotation process is efficient or not. In the study, the froth speed was determined by processing the flotation process froth image. A fuzzy logic-based controller design has been made by manipulating the classical PID method, which is used as a standard for froth level and air flow rate, affecting the form of the froth formed in the flotation cell. Ultimately, an integrated structure was designed that controls the process parameters depending on the froth speed. Industrial products and standards were used during the design. The source codes of the design were loaded into the industrial PLC (Siemens S7-1513-1), which operates in real time, and simulation and verification were carried out.