Spargers for controlled bubble size by means of the multiple slot disperser (MSD)

Sparging technology is crucial in the dispersion of gases in liquids. In this work, it was demonstrated that an effective, controllable sparger can be made by assembling an array of flat parallel slot-nozzles which may offer new options for sparger design and operation. To illustrate the technique, a compact, 11cm2 'multiple slot disperser' (MSD) having a slot width of 120μm and a total slot length of 1.26 m was assembled from a series of 5-mm-thick graphite plates. In water containing a low concentration of frother, a dense three-dimensional bubble plume was produced. The MSD generated consistently narrow bubble size distributions with well-defined median bubble diameters in the range 2.6-3.1 mm, equivalent to a range of gas flow rate from 11 to 26 std l/min. The bubble sizes were readily predictable from established single slot bubble size correlations. The method of construction also allows for simple maintenance, repair and replacement of individual components as needed.