The use of neural networks in combination with evolutionary algorithms to optimise the copper flotation enrichment process

Abstract

The paper presents a way of combining neural networks with evolutionary algorithms in order to find optimal parameters of the copper flotation enrichment process. The neural network was used in order to build a model describing the flotation process. The network learning was carried out with the use of samples from previous empirical measurements of the actual process. The model created in this way made it possible to find optimal parameters not only from among the measurement spaces, but also those that go beyond the measurements. Then, evolutionary algorithms were used in order to find optimal flotation parameters. The learned neural network previously described was used to calculate the criterion in the evolutionary algorithm.