ABSTRACT
Prior to the treatment of particle-bubble interactions, the dynamics of particles and bubbles in flotation are considered. Since the flotation separation process takes place in an aqueous medium, the interaction between particles and bubbles is strongly influenced by the hydrodynamic forces generated by the surrounding liquid and the relative motion between bubbles and particles. This chapter deals with the application of hydrodynamic theory to selected problems of transport phenomena involving particles and bubbles. Modem hydrodynamic concepts such as the theories of viscous fluid flow and turbulence are used to a considerable extent. It is not meant to be a scaled-down text on hydrodynamics applied to colloidal systems, but is intended to provide the tools needed to deal with the phenomena encountered in flotation. We have therefore assumed that the readers are familiar with the basic principles of hydrodynamics.
