Publikationsrepositorium - Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf

The role of laboratory-scale flotation test work for improving process understanding is unquestionable. Yet, to a large extent, laboratory routines are not standardized and may lead to considerable human errors. Operators have to simultaneously perform multiple tasks, and most data generated is often not saved, or saved without a proper structure. Laboratory assistants can potentially be used to overcome these issues. Yet, most options available are either dedicated to other scientific fields or cannot be easily tailored for flotation test work. Besides, sensors compatible with these solutions are often costly. Here, we introduce an open-source laboratory assistant tailored for flotation test work, which provides not only guidance for users, but also collects and orderly saves information from a series of affordable sensors (e.g., froth camera, pH, temperature, Eh, etc.). Benefits of using the laboratory assistant are demonstrated on two case studies: a reagent- and a flotation cell hydrodynamics-specific investigation.