Selectivity Index and Separation Efficiency Prediction in Industrial Magnetic Separation Process Using a Hybrid Neural Genetic Algorithm

It is essential to know the process efficiency in the industrial magnetic separation process under different operating conditions because it is required to control the process parameters to optimize the process efficiency. To our knowledge, there is no information about using artificial intelligence for modeling the magnetic separation process. Hence, finding a robust and more accurate estimation method for predicting the separation efficiency and selectivity index is still necessary. In this regard, a feed-forward neural network was developed to predict the separation efficiency and selectivity index. This model was trained to present a predictive model based on the percentage of iron, iron oxide and sulfur in mill feed and cobber feed, 80% passing size in mill feed and cobber feed and plant capacity. Therefore, this work aims to develop an intelligent technique based on an artificial neural network and a hybrid neural-genetic algorithm for modeling the concentration process. Results indicated that the values of mean square error and coefficient of determination for the testing phase were obtained 0.635 and 0.86 for selectivity index and of 4.646 and 0.84 for separation efficiency, respectively. In order to improve the performance of neural network, genetic algorithm was used to optimize the weights and biases of neural network. The results of modeling with GA-ANN technique indicated that the mean square error and coefficient of determination for the testing phase were achieved by 0.276 and 0.95 for selectivity index and of 1.782 and 0.92 for separation efficiency, respectively. The other statistical criteria for the GA-ANN model were better than those of the ANN model.