Estimation of Bubble Diameter in Flotation Columns from Drift Flux Analysis

Abstract

A method of calculating average bubble diameter in a flotation column from holdup and phase velocity data is described. Using a drift flux approach, bubble terminal rise velocity is determined, from which bubble diameter can be calculated using one of several correlations. The method is applicable to gas-slurry systems, where there is presently available no simple technique for bubble diameter measurement. Experimental data shows that drift flux measurements of bubble size in a gas-water system compare well with photographic measurements.