A novel flotation column for oily water cleanup

A novel multi-stage loop-flow flotation column (MSTLFLO(R)) was developed f or fine particle separations. The unique design feature of the MSTLFLO colu mn is the use of draft-tubes to achieve multi-stage configuration and minim ize back-mixing/entrainment in flotation. As a potential application, the c olumn was studied for its performance in separating emulsified oil from wat er. The separation efficiency was found to be highly dependent on the uniqu e hydrodynamic conditions provided in the column. The separation kinetic co nstants were therefore correlated with the hydrodynamic parameters, includi ng gas holdups, Sauter bubble sizes and liquid circulation rates. A classic tank-in-series model was successfully employed in the modeling of the proc ess. (C) 1999 Published by Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.