Research progress on predicting flotation operating conditions based on froth images

Flotation technology achieves mineral separation by exploiting differences in the surface wettability of mineral particles, where the visual characteristics of the froth directly reflect the operational status of the flotation process. Currently, many mineral processing plants in China still rely on manual observation to assess flotation conditions, which significantly hinders the popularization and advancement of flotation technology. Researchers worldwide have explored the application of machine vision for froth image recognition. This paper summarizes advancements in target image recognition, froth image features, and identification of flotation operating conditions. Applying image recognition technology to the flotation process not only enhances operational stability and optimizes control but also reduces substantial human and material resource consumption, holding immense significance for the future development of flotation technology.