Flotation
Flotation consists of creating air or gas bubbles in the system, to which the solid particles attach and together float to the top surface. Here they accumulate and form a float which can be removed through skimming or other collection methods.
The capturing process can be described as the product of two probabilities: the probability of the collision between a bubble and a particle and the probability of adhesion of the bubble and the particle after collision has occurred (Uduman et al., 2010). The smaller the particle size, the more likely the particle can be levitated by the bubbles.
In terms of sustainability, flotation usually requires addition of flocculants – which as discussed above impact on the post-processing of the algae. Moreover, there is a need for a system with energy input to create the bubbles which might be difficult to implement in an open environment.
The capturing process can be described as the product of two probabilities: the probability of the collision between a bubble and a particle and the probability of adhesion of the bubble and the particle after collision has occurred (Uduman et al., 2010). The smaller the particle size, the more likely the particle can be levitated by the bubbles.
In terms of sustainability, flotation usually requires addition of flocculants – which as discussed above impact on the post-processing of the algae. Moreover, there is a need for a system with energy input to create the bubbles which might be difficult to implement in an open environment.
