Using PCA In Controller Strategy Design for a Flotation Process

Abstract In this paper the use of principal component analysis in control strategy design is investigated. The paper concentrates on a rather specific problem in mineral flotation; however, the used methodology is not limited to this special application area but it can be used in similar situation where there are a lot of redundant data available and one has only a vague understanding how these measured variables are related to the controlled variables. If these relations are found they can easily be used as a priori information in control strategy design thus improving the possibilities of achieving a high quality control solution.