An analysis of the dynamic characteristics of flotation circuits by time-series analysis

Time-series analysis techniques are used to investigate the dynamic characteristics of the flotation circuits on the Renison tin concentrator in Tasmania. Routine plant-operating data provide information on the variability of feed streams, the disturbances resulting from normal manual operation, the suitability of certain locations for sitting instruments, and some simple time delays in the circuit. It is also shown how plant upsets and abnormal conditions caused by large perturbations to the operation can prove useful in such studies. Finally, a dynamic experiment is described which shows that disturbances higher in frequency than those in the feed are induced in the roughing and scavenging operations, but that these are filtered out again in the cleaner circuit. The uses and limitations of these techniques are discussed.