Abstract |
A continuous bubble fractionation system consisting of vertical tube provided with a source of air bubbles, means of continuous liquid feed, overflow, and bottom effluent has been studied. The study primarily involves an examination of the effects of variables, such as gas rate, liquid rates, solute concentration and column size, on the effectiveness of the system for separating an organic solute from a dilute aqueous solution. The effects of gas and liquid rate on the performance have generally followed the results expected from an equilibrium adsorption of a surfactant on the gas-liquid interface described by Gibbs' equation and material balances. An increase in gas rate increased the effectiveness of the system by providing more adsorption surface. The adverse transfer of the solute by the eddy diffusion, caused by rising bubbles, was found to be the factor limiting the effectiveness of the system. Part II of the report considers effects of variations in the height and diameter of the column upon solute concentration profile and effectiveness of the column. Column heights above 30 cm were found to have little effect upon performance, and increases in column diameter greatly reduced effectiveness. (WRSIC abstract) |