Assessment of expert fuzzy controllers for conventional flotation plants

Many undesirable dynamic characteristics are present in conventional flotation plants that hinder the design and implementation of control systems. New expert and fuzzy control strategies for these processes are presented and assessed here via simulation. The algorithms are based on previous work, and they emulate current operating practices in an active copper flotation plant in Chile. The new controllers were able to achieve high recoveries and also avoid control saturation despite severe disturbances in the feed flowrate.