Abstract
Microbubble generators are used for aeration of liquids, in particular being used in water treatment, where the microbubbles are used to form free radicals (OH- ions) for waste-water disinfection, and in the dissolved air flotation of particulate. Microbubble aeration is also used in bacteria digestion and fermentation processes, and to oxygenate water for aquaculture.
For aeration applications, the size of bubbles has an important affect upon aeration performance. Large bubbles (e.g. >50 µm diameter) rise rapidly, spending less time within water, and so provide lower aeration performance. Nanobubbles (<1 µm diameter) are extremely stable due to the absorption of ions on their surface, which prevents the gas inside the nanobubble from being absorbed into the bulk liquid, allowing the nanobubble to last much longer, reducing aeration performance. Microbubbles (1 µm < diameter < 50 µm) have a higher internal pressure, shrink and dissolve in water, providing good aeration performance.
For aeration applications, the size of bubbles has an important affect upon aeration performance. Large bubbles (e.g. >50 µm diameter) rise rapidly, spending less time within water, and so provide lower aeration performance. Nanobubbles (<1 µm diameter) are extremely stable due to the absorption of ions on their surface, which prevents the gas inside the nanobubble from being absorbed into the bulk liquid, allowing the nanobubble to last much longer, reducing aeration performance. Microbubbles (1 µm < diameter < 50 µm) have a higher internal pressure, shrink and dissolve in water, providing good aeration performance.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Type | Patent |
| Number of pages | 22 |
| Publication status | Published - 21 Sept 2021 |