Title: One-step analysis of bubble-particle capture interaction in dissolved-air flotation

Authors: Anh V. Nguyen

Addresses: Division of Chemical Engineering, School of Engineering, The University of Queensland, Brisbane Queensland 4072, Australia

Abstract: The capture of particles by air microbubbles in dissolved air flotation has been analysed using a one-step (holistic) approach, which numerically solved the motion equation (with the inclusion of microhydrodynamic resistance functions and surface forces) for both the bubble-particle collision and attachment interactions. Model predictions with the inclusion of non-DLVO attractive surface force agreed with the experimental trajectories of latex particles. The non-DLVO attractive force reduced the force barrier between non-attaching particles and bubbles, and significantly increased the attractive net force between attaching particles and air bubbles.

Keywords: bubble-particle interaction; bubble-particle capture; dissolved air flotation; DAF; double-layer force; DLVO forces; hydrophobic attraction; microhydrodynamic resistance; non-DLVO forces; van der Waals force; air microbubbles; wastewater treatment; water pollution; environmental pollution.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEP.2007.014702

International Journal of Environment and Pollution, 2007 Vol.30 No.2, pp.231 - 253

Published online: 26 Jul 2007 *

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