| Abstract: | Colloidal gas aphrons (CGAs), generated from dilute solutions of four surfactants, were used to clarify palm oil mill effluent (POME), suspensions of microalgae and suspensions of three inorganic minerals. In POME and the algal suspensions, each CGA was most effective at a pH value close to the pK value of the surfactant concerned. This effect was not tested in the inorganic suspensions. The efficiency of air utilization was directly related to the concentration of solids in the suspensions, the size, density and nature of the solids having secondary effects. Comparison with data in the literature led to a general correlation embracing a variety of suspensions and flotation systems. Shedding of collected material from the foam layer was also a direct function of solids concentration. CGAs offer advantages over other systems of air-assisted flotation in relation to the requirements for equipment and to the management of process operations. |
