Assessment of hyperspectral features and damage modeling in bitumen flotation process

• Main Author: Bhushan, Vivek
• Other Authors: Dr. M.G.Lipsett (Mechanical Engineering)
• Format: Others
• Language: en
• Published: 2011
• Subjects: Flotation process; Damage modeling; Hyperspectral analysis; Wear; Bitumen
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10048/1915

Flotation process is mineral processing technique used for separating valuable minerals from the gangue. The research presented in this thesis deals with assessing features that can help in measuring the performance (observing) bitumen flotation process and modeling damage in flotation units. A timely measure of oilsands and process stream contents can be used to observe and control the separation performance. To this end, flotation experiments were conducted and hyperspectral images of the ore and the process stream were taken to determine whether spectral information can predict the bitumen and fines content of ore samples and establish relationship a between these variables and the froth colour. Several features that appear to correspond to clay and quartz were present. Flotation cells are prone to wear damage by particles entrained in the slurry. A wear damage model was developed to predict the damage accumulated over a period of time. Particle image velocimetry experiments were conducted on physical flotation model to understand the flow behavior of the solid particles near the wall of the flotation unit. A preliminary wear test was conducted for qualitative assessment of wear. Recommendations were made for validating the damage model. === Engineering Management