Modelling flotation with a flexible approach – Integrating different models to the compartment model

•A comprehensive model structure for froth flotation is developed.•The compartment model was linked to a set of phenomenological models.•The phenomenological models and the whole structure were successfully calibrated.

In this work, a comprehensive model structure for froth flotation is developed by linking the compartment model (Savassi, 2005) to a set of phenomenological models describing the froth recovery, the water recovery and the entrainment factor. This model structure is successfully calibrated against experimental data from a pilot plant campaign with a copper ore.