An expert system fo r shaking table diagnostics

Abstract An expert system, for fault diagnosis of shaking table operations, is presented. The system is designed as one element of an integrated, computer-based method for plant enhancement, for application in the mineral processing industry. The relationship between expert and conventional software techniques is discussed. The system is based on production rules and has been written in the PROLOG language. Diagnostics are at three levels: the first assessing the known table set-up parameters and the deeper levels providing more detailed analysis in identifying the root cause of the problem. The reasoning, at each level, is developed making reference to fragments of PROLOG code abstracted from the computer program. The system is capable of identifying over 120 faults in tabling operation and has been deployed at two commercial productions plants.