Journal articles on the topic 'Particle-bubble attachment efficiency'

The floatability of fine low-rank coal particles can be greatly influenced by their morphological characteristics, such as shape and surface roughness. In this study, the attachment efficiency and detachment amplitude of fine low-rank coal particles produced by various comminution methods onto/from the bubble surface were investigated using homemade bubble–particle wrap angle and bubble–particle attachment/detachment testing systems. Results showed that the length–diameter ratio of rod-milled products was smaller than that of crushed products. The wrap angle of particles obtained by the crushed method was larger than that obtained by the rod-milled method, i.e., particles with greater length–diameter ratio showed higher attachment efficiency onto the bubble surface. Meanwhile, particles with greater length–diameter ratio exhibited a larger detachment amplitude, which suggests that it is more difficult to be detached from the bubble surface. However, rod-milled products showed lower attachment onto the bubble surface. The flotation test confirmed that the floatability ratio of crushed products was higher than that of rod-milled products, consistent with evidence from experimental analyses. This study provides a fundamental understanding of particle shapes for low-rank coal flotation by a novel research method combining the attachment efficiency and detachment amplitude of bubble–particle combinations.

In this study, a kinetic model that describes bubble-particle transport and attachment in the contact zone of dissolved air flotation (DAF) process is presented. The kinetic model, which is based on the assumption that the contact zone is analogous to a chemical reactor, describes the particle removal rate as a first-order reaction with respect to the concentration of particles. It identified important parameters, such as the bubble-particle attachment efficiency (αPB). The theoretical first-order particle removal rate constant (kP), based on the mathematical model, was determined by varying αPB from 0.1 to 1.0. On the other hand, the experimental kP value was determined by measuring the mean residence time, the degree of mixing of particles, and the particle removal efficiency of the contact zone by conducting pilot-scale DAF experiments at different hydraulic loading rates and recycle ratios. The experimentally determined first-order particle removal rate constant was equal to the theoretical kP value when the bubble-particle attachment efficiency (αPB) was in the range of 0.35 to 0.55, which is considered typical for water treatment applications. The kinetic model can be used to predict DAF removal efficiencies provided that αPB is determined for the system under investigation and that the operating conditions applied in this research are used. However, independent experiments are required to verify the applicability of the proposed model.Key words: algae, bubble, coagulation, dissolved air flotation, flocculation, kinetic model, particle size distribution, water treatment.

The purpose of this paper is to examine how the efficiency of dissolved air flotation is affected by the size of bubbles and particles. The rise speed of bubble/particle agglomerates is modelled as a function of bubble and particle size, while the kinematics of the bubble attachment process is modelled using the population balance approach adopted by Matsui, Fukushi and Tambo. It is found that flotation, in general, is enhanced by the use of larger particles and larger bubbles. In particular, it is concluded that for the ultra-high surface loading rates of 25 m/hr or more planned for future flotation tanks, bubble size will have to be increased by a factor of two over the size currently employed in many facilities during dissolved air flotation.

Principles of dissolved air flotation (DAF) discussed include: bubble formation and size, bubble-particle interactions, measures of supplied air, and modeling of the reaction and clarification zones of the flotation tank. Favorable flotation conditions for bubble attachment or adhesion to particles requires a reduction in the charge of particles and production of hydrophobic particles or hydrophobic spots on particle surfaces. A conceptual model for the bubble-particle reaction zone based on the single collector collision efficiency is summarized and discussed. An alternative modeling approach is considered. Clarification or separation zone modeling is based on particle-bubble agglomerate rise velocities. The application of DAF in drinking water treatment is addressed beginning with summaries of design and operating parameters for several countries. DAF should not be considered as a separate process, but integrated into the design and operation of the overall treatment plant. This concept shows that flocculation ahead of DAF has different requirements regarding floc size and strength compared to sedimentation. The efficiency of DAF in removing particles and reducing particle loads to filters needs to be integrated into DAF plant design. The impact on filtration performance is illustrated. Finally, fundamental and applied research needs are addressed.

Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) models of dissolved air flotation (DAF) have shown formation of stratified flow (back and forth horizontal flow layers at the top of the separation zone) and its impact on improved DAF efficiency. However, there has been a lack of experimental validation of CFD predictions, especially in the presence of solid particles. In this work, for the first time, both two-phase (air–water) and three-phase (air–water–solid particles) CFD models were evaluated at pilot scale using measurements of residence time distribution, bubble layer position and bubble–particle contact efficiency. The pilot-scale results confirmed the accuracy of the CFD model for both two-phase and three-phase flows, but showed that the accuracy of the three-phase CFD model would partly depend on the estimation of bubble–particle attachment efficiency.

We investigate the role of depletion interactions in the particle–bubble interactions that determine the attachment capability of particles on the bubble surface in flotation. In this article, we propose a theoretical model that explains how this attractive interaction could enhance flotation efficiency. Two optimum conditions are determined for the concentration and molecular weight of the depletion agent. The optimum concentration can be determined through the extent of surface activity of the depletion agents. The magnitude of the depletion attraction increases as the concentration increases; however, an increase in the concentration simultaneously enhances its surface concentration. The bubble surface adsorption of the depletion agent results in polymer brushes on the bubble surface that produce a large repulsive interaction. In contrast, the optimal molecular weight of the depletion agents is given by the interaction between the depletion agent sizes, which is determined by its molecular weight and Debye length which is determined by the solution ionic strength. We demonstrate that exploiting this depletion interaction could significantly enhance the flotation efficiency and in principal could be used for any particle system.

Flotation technology is an effective method for the separation of oil from sand via gas-liquid-solid system. The mechanism of flotation lies in the generation of gas bubble that attaches itself to the hydrophobic particles. Therefore, one of the main parameters which could affect the efficiency of flotation is the bubble size distribution. This research aims to investigate the efficiency of nanobubbles (NBs) in the flotation process to remove high density bunker oil from oil/sand slurry in a laboratory-scale flotation cell. Experiments were carried out using NBs (approximate diameter of 200 nm) generated via ultrasonication for the flotation studies. In this investigation, four different variables including amplitude (sonication power), pH, duration of sonication (min) and input flowrate of NBs (ml/s) were studied. The second order response function was used for obtaining flotation efficiency, and was further optimized using response surface methodology (RSM) to maximize flotation efficiency within the experimentally studied range. The optimum parameters were found to be, 70% amplitude, pH 12, 10 min of flotation and an input flowrate of 57 ml/s to achieve the predicted maximum flotation efficiency of 19.83%. This was in agreement to the experimental results which show an optimum flotation efficiency of 19.98%. The test results indicated that the use of NBs alone provided unsatisfactory flotation. Even though NBs (larger surface area) are expected to increase the bubble-particle attachment and decrease the detachment probabilities, the low buoyancy/low rising velocity of NBs prevents efficient flotation despite the advantages they have. Future studies would include the optimization of bubble size to improve the flotation efficiency

The feasibility of the dissolved air flotation (DAF) process in treating chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) wastewater was evaluated in this study. Wastewater from a local semiconductor manufacturer was sampled and characterised. Nano-sized silica (77.6 nm) with turbidity of 130±3 NTU was found in the slightly alkaline wastewater with traces of other pollutants. Experimental results indicated removal efficiency of particles, measured as suspended particle or turbidity, increased with increasing concentration of cationic collector cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB). When CTAB concentration was 30 mg/L, pH of 6.5±0.1 and recycle ratio of 30%, very effective removal of particles (> 98%) was observed in saturation pressure range of 4 to 6 kg/cm2, and the reaction proceeded faster under higher pressure. Similarly, the reaction was faster under the higher recycle ratio, while final removal efficiency improved slightly as the recycle ratio increased from 20 to 40%. An insignificant effect of pH on treatment efficiency was found as pH varied from 4.5 to 8.5. The presence of activator, Al3 + and Fe3 + , enhanced the system performance. It is proposed that CTAB adsorbs on silica particles in polishing wastewater through electrostatic interaction and makes particles more hydrophobic. The increase in hydrophobicity results in more effective bubble-particle collisions. In addition, flocculation of silica particles through bridging effect of collector was found; it is believed that flocculation of particles also contributed to flotation. Better attachment between gas bubble and solid, higher buoyancy and higher air to solid ratio all lead to effective flotation.

Flotation in the mining industry is a very significant separation technique. It is known that fine and ultra-fine particles are difficult to float, leading to losses of valuable minerals, mainly due to their low collision efficiency with bubbles. Flotation of fine particles can be enhanced either by increasing the apparent particle size or by decreasing the bubble size. Literature review reveals that electroflotation resulted in higher recoveries of ultrafine particles as compared with dispersed-air flotation, because electrolytic bubbles are smaller in size. To this end, the best practical approach is to combine conventional air bubbles and micro-bubbles from water electrolysis. Therefore, the design, fabrication, and operation of a bench-scale micro-bubble generator through water electrolysis is proposed. Moreover, this electrolysis unit is adapted in a mechanical Denver-type flotation cell. The resulting hybrid flotation device is capable of producing bubbles within a wide range of diameters. The significance of this process is that micro-bubbles, attached tothe surface of fine particles, facilitate the attachment of conventional-sized bubbles and subsequently increase the flotation recovery of particles. Experimental flotation results so far on the hybrid device indicate the enhancement of fine particle recovery by approximately 10% with the addition of micro-bubbles.

Most of the water treatment plants applying the DAF process are faced with off-flavors control problems. For simultaneous control of particles of impurities and dissolved organics that cause pungent taste and odor in water, an effective method would be the simple application of powdered activated carbon (PAC) in the DAF process. A series of experiments were carried out to explore the feasibility for simultaneous removal of kaolin particles and organic compounds that produce off-flavors (2-MIB and geosmin). In addition, the flotation efficiency of kaolin and PAC particles adsorbing organics in the DAF process was evaluated by employing the population balance theory. The removal efficiency of 2-MIB and geosmin under the treatment condition with kaolin particles for simultaneous treatment was lower than that of the individual treatment. The decrease in the removal efficiency was probably caused by 2-MIB and geosmin remaining in the PAC particle in the treated water of DAF after bubble flotation. Simulation results obtained by the population balance model indicate, that the initial collision-attachment efficiency of PAC particles was lower than that of kaolin particles

Dissolved air flotation represents an important stage for wastewater treatment and was used during the last sixty years for different pollutants such as: suspended solids, greases, oils etc. Nowadays, the dissolved air systems are generally applied in industrial wastewater treatment plants, where the amount of pollutants is above the average (textile and leather industry). The research team members developed an innovative DAF unit and realized a laboratory demonstrator (figure 1). The laboratory installation was tested and the efficiency of wastewater treatment was demonstrated. The latest researches proved that flotation reagents have an essential role in the removal of different pollutants. The scientific literature demonstrates that these reagents can be used to remove the pollutants as sludge or foam, Reagents are divided into modifiers, flocculants, depressants, collectors and frothers, depending on their role the flotation process. Nanomaterial utilization in wastewater treatment has become an intensely studied topic. Collectors reagents, based on hydrophobic nanoparticles, can adsorb a larger quantity of pollutants due to the hydrophilic particle surfaces that facilitate the attachment of pollutants to air bubbles generated by the DAF unit. In the present paper, the researchers present that the role of nanoparticles is to facilitate particle-bubble attachment and/or to minimize detachment. The goal of the study is to consider the influence of nanoparticle parameters on the various stages of particle flotation to demonstrate the key role of nanoparticles in removal of pollutants from textile wastewaters.

This paper examines the transition process in a boundary layer similar to that present over the suction surfaces of aero-engine low-pressure (LP) turbine blades. This transition process is of significant practical interest since the behaviour of this boundary layer largely determines the overall efficiency of the LP turbine. Modern ‘high-lift’ blade designs typically feature a closed laminar separation bubble on the aft portion of the suction surface. The size of this bubble and hence the inefficiency it generates is controlled by the transition between laminar and turbulent flow in the boundary layer and separated shear layer. The transition process is complicated by the inherent unsteadiness of the multi-stage machine: the wakes shed by one blade row convect through the downstream blade passages, periodically disturbing the boundary layers. As a consequence, the transition to turbulence is multi-modal by nature, being promoted by periodic and turbulent fluctuations in the free stream and the inherent instabilities of the boundary layer. Despite many studies examining the flow behaviour, the detailed physics of the unsteady transition phenomena are not yet fully understood. The boundary-layer transition process has been studied experimentally on a flat plate. The opposing test-section wall was curved to impose a streamwise pressure distribution typical of modern high-lift LP turbines over the flat plate. The presence of an upstream blade row has been simulated by a set of moving bars, which shed wakes across the test section inlet. Further upstream, a grid has been installed to elevate the free-stream turbulence to a level believed to be representative of multi-stage LP turbines. Extensive particle imaging velocimetry (PIV) measurements have been performed on the flat-plate boundary layer to examine the flow behaviour. In the absence of the incoming bar wakes, the grid-generated free-stream turbulence induces relatively weak Klebanoff streaks in the boundary layer which are evident as streamwise streaks of low-velocity fluid. Transition is promoted by the streaks and by the inherent inflectional (Kelvin–Helmholtz (KH)) instability of the separation bubble. In unsteady flow, the incoming bar wakes generate stronger Klebanoff streaks as they pass over the leading edge, which convect downstream at a fraction of the free-stream velocity and spread in the streamwise direction. The region of amplified streaks convects in a similar manner to a classical turbulent spot: the leading and trailing edges travel at around 88% and 50% of the free-stream velocity, respectively. The strongest disturbances travel at around 70% of the free-stream velocity. The wakes induce a second type of disturbance as they pass over the separation bubble, in the form of short-span KH structures. Both the streaks and the KH structures contribute to the early wake-induced transition. The KH structures are similar to those observed in the simulation of separated flow transition with high free-stream turbulence by McAuliffe & Yaras (ASME J. Turbomach., vol. 132, no. 1, 2010, 011004), who observed that these structures originated from localised instabilities of the shear layer induced by Klebanoff streaks. In the current measurements, KH structures are frequently observed directly under the path of the wake. The wake-amplified Klebanoff streaks cannot affect the generation of these structures since they do not arrive at the bubble until later in the wake cycle. Rather, the KH structures arise from an interaction between the flow disturbances in the wake and localised instabilities in the shear layer, which are caused by the weak Klebanoff streaks induced by the grid turbulence. The breakdown of the KH structures to small-scale turbulence occurs a short time after the wake has passed over the bubble, and is largely driven by the arrival of the wake-amplified Klebanoff streaks from the leading edge. During this process, the re-attachment location moves rapidly upstream. The minimum length of the bubble occurs when the strongest wake-amplified Klebanoff streaks arrive from the leading edge; these structures travel at around 70% of the free-stream velocity. The bubble remains shorter than its steady-flow length until the trailing edge of the wake-amplified Klebanoff streaks, travelling at 50% of the free-stream velocity, convect past. After this time, the reattachment location moves aft on the surface as a consequence of a calmed flow region which follows behind the wake-induced turbulence.

Potassium ore contains readily sludgable water-insoluble silicate–carbonate impurities which actively adsorb cation collectors (primary alkylamines) used in sylvine flotation. This fact determines inclusion of multistage de-sludging flowsheets, with rougher and cleaning flotation of sludge in the processing technology. A prerequisite for flotation de-sludging of ore is pre-flocculation of sludge. Flotation of sludge in mechanical flotation machines is carried out with intensive mechanical stirring of the suspension, which impairs the selective separation of sludge into the flotation froth and leads to the partial destruction of sludge floccules, which causes an increased consumption of the flocculant. In column machines, flotation is carried out in a laminar-upward flow of finely dispersed air bubbles ejected into the suspension in the lower part of the column, and is characterized by the minimal hydromechanical effect on the mineral particle–air bubble attachment. An important feature of flotation in column machines is the adjustability of the foam layer height in a wide range of values (up to 0.5 m and more) and its washability, which makes it possible to increase the recovery selectivity of the floated material into the foam product. The design of column machines for enrichment of potash ores, which are water-soluble and floatable in rich salt solutions, should ensure elimination of crystallization of the aeration system for supplying air to the column machine. The tests of column flotation of sludge produced from potash ores of the Upper Kama deposit with different contents of water-insoluble impurities were carried out on the experimental installation of ERIEZ Flotation Division. The results of the comparison of flotation efficiency and selectivity in mechanical and column flotation machines are presented. The possibility of de-sludge flotation of potash ores with different contents of water-insoluble impurities (1.5–4%) with the significant improvement of flotation selectivity at the lower consumption of reagents is shown. The use of column flotation creates conditions for simplifying the instrumental and technological flowsheet of flotation.