Techniques for Increasing Accuracy in Mill Performance Calculations

Several techniques are presented to adjust small errors inherent in data collected from material balance measurements on the flotation process. The basic technique used is a Lagrange multiplier adjustment of the filtered data taken from the equipment measurements. The raw data are adjusted such that material balances are closed. The adjustments to each data point is inversely proportional to the square of the standard error of measurement. Problem areas in equipment utilization are discussed. Typical results from on-line measurements are presented. This technique can be applied to either on-line process measurements or metallurgical test data.