SIZE FRACTIONATION OF GAS-FILLED MICROSPHERES BY FLOTATION

A dynamic model has been developed for the size fractionation process of gas-filled microspheres by flotation. The aim of this dynamic model is to control the fractionation process in an Nycomed Imaging AS Info son(TM) production plant. A general population balance is established for the dispersed phase that is later simplified for the specific part icle suspension and process equipment used. This dynamic model has bee n tested against experimental data and shows a good correlation betwee n the predicted and measured values. This paper describes both the phy sical phenomena and the modeling method.