Signature Series - Associate Professor Pablo Brito-Parada, Department of Earth Science and Engineering, Imperial College (London, UK)

Signature Lecture: Enhancing flotation performance: insights from Positron Emission Particle Tracking (Wednesday 13 May 2026)

Presenter: Associate Professor Pablo Brito-Parada, Reader in Sustainable Minerals Processing, Editor-in-Chief Minerals Engineering, Department of Earth Science and Engineering, Imperial College London

Watch it here: 

Abstract:

A better understanding of the complex hydrodynamics in flotation cells is essential to characterising these systems and optimising metallurgical performance; however, achieving this remains a significant challenge. Positron Emission Particle Tracking (PEPT), a non-invasive technique that allows for the tracking of the motion of a radiolabelled tracer, offers a unique approach to investigating the dynamics of mineral particles in a flotation cell. By tracing the trajectories and velocities of individual particles, PEPT provides unprecedented insights into their behaviour within both the pulp and froth phases. Such insights are particularly relevant when assessing the hydrodynamic impact of changes in flotation cell design or when characterising novel flotation cells. This talk showcases the capability of PEPT to provide a deeper understanding of the fundamental mechanisms at play in froth flotation and highlights the current challenges and emerging opportunities for future research.

Presenter biography:

Pablo Brito-Parada is an Associate Professor (Reader) in the Department of Earth Science and Engineering at Imperial College London. A Chemical Engineer by training, his research focuses on mineral resources, from its extraction, processing, and use, to the links between critical raw materials and other resources, such as energy and water. His work combines novel experimental and modelling techniques for the optimisation of separation systems, in particular froth flotation. His team works on various aspects of flotation, including the modelling of pulp and froth phase phenomena, advanced control techniques, and experimental characterisation of flotation systems from bench to industrial scale. At industrial scale, the team has carried out optimisation testwork in mineral concentrators worldwide. Pablo is an Editor-in-Chief of Elsevier’s Minerals Engineering journal and serves on the International Mineral Processing Council (IMPC).

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The ARC Centre of Excellence for Enabling Eco-Efficient Beneficiation of Minerals (COEMinerals) regularly invites eminent scientists and industrialists from around the globe to present on a topic that relates to modern mineral processing in a friendly forum: our ​‘Signature Lecture’ Series. We make this guest lecture available to our wider community.