Special Development in Self-Aspirating Aeration Reactors for Pneumatic Flotation and Other Applications

摘要

As a mechanical separation process for multi-phase systems, which is used in many industrial applications, flotation is dependent on the generation of extremely fine gas bubbles. These are generally produced by means of aeration reactors, which inject compressed air into the system. This process is, however, associated with a high energy input, which represents a commensurate cost factor. Self-aspirating aeration reactors, on the other hand, automatically aspirate air according to the venturi principle. In this case, after a certain minimum throughput of motive fluid - in this case water - is reached, an underpressure is generated, which causes gas (here: air) to be aspirated into the reactor. This paper shows how the geometry of the self-aspirating aeration reactor, the counter-pressure as well as the throughput of the motive fluid affects the gas throughput rate. Initial results were presented to the GDMB Committee on Flotation in Mittersill (2002) as well as at the 9th Balkan Mineral Processing. Congress in Istanbul (2001).