DefinePK

Abstract

Recent literature comprises numerous investigations on the determination of bubble-particle collision probabilities inflotation systems based upon hydrodynamic models. This work aims to use CFD to simulate collision probabilities inquiescent flotation conditions as encountered in Flotation Columns. Euler-Lagrange approach is used for the calculationof collision probabilities of fine (10μm to 80μm) solid particles with bubbles having intermediate Reynolds number (i.e.2<Re<500; 0.1mm<db<1.5mm). In this work only two bubble sizes, 1.0 mm and 1.5 mm, are simulated. The simulationsare performed using both unstructured and structured meshes. The values of collision probabilities are compared withthose produced using the hydrodynamic models of Yoon & Luttrell and Weber & Paddock. The results of collisionprobabilities and their variations with bubble and particle sizes, obtained using structured mesh are in close agreementwith the published data.