Chinese Journal of Chemical Engineering, Vol.10, No.5, 550-557, 2002
Theoretical approach to concentration distribution and adhesion efficiency of fine particles around a rising bubble in slurry systems
Quantitative prediction of distribution function and adhesion efficiency of particles around a rising bubble in slurry systems is presented in this work. By solving the convection-diffusion equation (Fokker-Planck equation), the influence of Brownian diffusivity of fine particles on concentration distribution and adhesion efficiency is demonstrated with the hydrodynamic force and van der Waals attractive potential between particles and bubble considered. It is found that two kinds of mechanism dominate the adhesion process of particles on bubble according to different Peclet number or size of particles and bubble, as well as other properties of the slurry systems. In addition, the viscosity ratio of bubble to the suspending fluid was found to have obvious influence on particle adhesion.