Bubble movement in a rotating eddy: The implications for particle-bubble detachment

The role of the pulp-froth interface on particle detachment and selectivity

The region between the pulp and the froth also known as pulp/froth interface in mineral flotation processes separates the pulp from the froth. Various researchers suggest particle detachment occurs around this region significantly affecting mineral recovery and grade. One of the causes pointed out is sudden deceleration of bubble-particle aggregate upon collision with the interface while another theory suggests detachment to be caused by bubble coalescence. A possible cause of divergence in views may be in the different methods of investigation employed. Though, more than several researchers indicate that detachment occurs, it is not conclusive whether kinetic energy changes or bubble coalesce or a combination of the two is responsible for detachment if any. Thus, this review examines and presents work that has been done on the role of the pulp-froth interface on particle detachment and selectivity. The review also considers the behaviour of a bubble with various interface as found in literature with a view of inferring the dominant cause of detachment at the interface.

Impact Behavior of Hydrophilic Micron Particles on a Planar Gas-Liquid Interface

The behavior of hydrophilic micron particles impacting on the gas-liquid interface has been further experimentally studied using a high-speed camera at different surface tensions and dynamic viscosities of liquids. The results show that the impact behavior exhibits suspension and submergence modes, whose boundary cannot be clearly identified because the overlap between the impact velocity ranges occurs because of the unstable pinning of the three-phase contact line on the surface of hydrophilic particles. The liquid properties have little effect on the wettability of hydrophilic particles but greatly influence the hydrodynamic and capillary force exerted on the particles, leading to the expansion of the suspension mode range. In addition, the penetration probability changes little with the decrease in surface tension, while it significantly reduces with the increase in dynamic viscosity. A penetration probability model is predicted as an exponential function of the inertial and supporting forces, and the experimental values agree well with the predicted values. The outcomes of this research will be helpful for understanding the mechanism of particle-interface interaction and providing guidance for enhancing the separation of hydrophilic fine ash via a bubble scrubbing system.

Effect of Particle Size on the Rising Behavior of Particle-Laden Bubbles

The rising behavior of bubbles, initially half and fully coated with glass beads of various sizes, was investigated. The bubble velocity, aspect ratio, and oscillation periods were determined using high-speed photography and image analysis. In addition, the acting forces, drag modification factor, and modified drag coefficient were calculated and interpreted. Results show that the aspect ratio oscillation of the rising bubbles is similar, irrespective of the attached particle size. As the particle size is increased, the rising bubbles have a lower velocity and aspect ratio amplitude, with the time from release to each aspect ratio peak increasing. Higher particle coverage is shown to decrease the bubble velocity and dampen the oscillations, reducing the number of aspect ratio peaks observed. The highest rise velocities correspond to the lowest aspect ratios and vice versa, whereas a constant aspect ratio yields a constant rise velocity, independent of the particle size. Force analysis shows that the particle drag modification factor increases with the increased particle size and is greatest for fully laden bubbles. The modified drag coefficient of particle-laden bubbles increases with the increased particle size, although it decreases with the increased Reynolds number independent of the particle size. The drag force exerted by the particles plays a more dominant role in decreasing bubble velocities as the particle size increases. The results and interpretation produced a quantitative description of the behavior of rising particle-laden bubbles and the development of correlations will enhance the modeling of industrial applications.