The interaction between particles and bubbles

The processes by which particles and bubbles interact capture many of the c entral concepts of colloid science and hydrodynamics. This area of research embraces hydrodynamics, interfacial (including capillary) forces, particle and bubble behaviour and solution chemistry. In this review, we discuss co llision, attachment and stability efficiencies. We deal with the identifica tion of a flotation "domain", the deformation of a bubble surface upon inte raction with a solid surface, the kinetics of three phase contact line expa nsion and the determination of attachment efficiencies through to the direc t measurement of bubble-particle interaction forces. We have recently carri ed out a test of collision theory where the latter embraces both inertial a nd centrifugal forces. The results, concepts and implications of this work are discussed. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.