Mixed solid/dispersed phase particles in multiphase fluidised beds, Part I: Free energy of stability due to interfacial tension

Long-term stabilization of foams and emulsions with in-situ formed microparticles from hydrophobic cellulose

We report a simple method to produce foams and emulsions of extraordinary stability by using hydrophobic cellulose microparticles, which are formed in situ by a liquid-liquid dispersion technique. The hydrophobic cellulose derivative, hypromellose phthalate (HP), was initially dissolved in water-miscible solvents such as acetone and ethanol/water mixtures. As these HP stock solutions were sheared in aqueous media, micron sized cellulose particles formed by the solvent attrition. We also designed and investigated an effective and simple process for making HP particles without any organic solvents, where both the solvent and antisolvent were aqueous buffer solutions at different pH. Consequently, the HP particles adsorbed onto the water/air or water/oil interfaces created during shear blending, resulting in highly stable foams or foam/emulsions. The formation of HP particles and their ability for short-term and long-term stabilization of interfaces strongly depended on the HP concentration in stock solutions, as well as the solvent chemistry of both stock solutions and continuous phase media. Some foams and emulsion samples formed in the presence of ca. 1 wt% HP were stable for months. This new class of nontoxic inexpensive cellulose-based particle stabilizers has the potential to substitute conventional synthetic surfactants, especially in edible, pharmaceutical and biodegradable products.

In situ fluidization for peat bed rupture, and preliminary economic analysis

This study concerns in situ fluidization (ISF), a new remediation method with potential application to the remediation of NAPL and heavy metal contaminants, by their release from the fluidized zone generated by a water jet. The present study examines the effect of ISF on layers of peat, of significance owing to its role as an important NAPL and metal contaminant trap. Once trapped, such contaminants are not readily accessible by most remedial methods, due to the low permeability and diffusivity of the peat. A simple tank experiment is used to demonstrate rupture of a peat layer by ISF, with removal of the peat as elutriated fines and segregated peat chunks. The application of ISF in the field is then examined by three field trials in uncontaminated sands, in both saturated and unsaturated conditions. Fluidized depths of up to 1.9 m in the saturated zone (with refusal on a peat layer) and 2.5 m in the unsaturated zone (no refusal) were attained, using a 1.9-m-long, 50 mm diameter jet operated at 5-13 1 s(-1). Pulses of dark turbidity and shell fragments in the effluent indicated the rupture of peat and shelly layers. The experiments demonstrate the hydraulic viability of ISF in the field, and its ability to remove peat-based contaminants. The issues of appropriate jet design and water generation during ISF are discussed, followed by a preliminary economic analysis of ISF relative to existing remediation methods.