PREDICTION OF BUBBLE-SIZE DISTRIBUTION IN MECHANICAL FLOTATION CELLS

A bubble population balance model is proposed for the prediction of Sa uter mean bubble diameters in mechanical notation cells. In the model, the notation cell is treated as two separate, statistically homogeneo us zones-the impeller zone, and the bulk tank zone. Balance functions for the rates of bubble breakage, coalescence, recirculation and inlet -outlet events are proposed based on classical chemical engineering re search in two- and three-phase fluid mixing systems. An initial simula tion of the population balance model shows trends in bubble size distr ibutions comparable to measured distributions in industrial mechanical notation cells.