The Application of Dynamic Operability Assessment to Flotation Circuit Design

The dynamic operability of a process plant reflects the ability with which it can be controlled. It is a function of its design and should thus be considered throughout all stages of a plant design. Previous methods of assessment are incapable of considering the effect of combinations of performance-limiting factors on dynamic operability. To overcome this, Swartz (1994) uses Q-parametrization theory to pose dynamic operability assessment as a numerical convex optimization problem. The approach is applied here to six alternative three-bank flotation circuit designs. The results, combined with steady-state recoveries, facilitate the screening of design alternatives and assist the design engineer to choose a design which is both operable and economical.