Mechanism and Kinetics of Separation of Oil From Oil-in-Water Emulsion by Air Flotation

Abstract

The authors investigate the application of air flotation for the removal of oil from oil-in-water emulsion using a flotation column of diameter 3.5 cm and height 106 cm. Several parameters affecting the separation efficiency such as effect of adding sodium chloride, effect of flotation time, and effect of air flow rate were investigated. The experimental data were also analyzed in terms of first-order kinetic rate model. Using this model flotation constant k and correlation coefficient r were determined. An equation relating flotation rate constant and the concentration of sodium chloride was developed. The maximum oil removal efficiency at optimized operating condition was found to be around 98.23%.