Numerical simulation of a self-absorbing microbubble generator for a cyclonic-static microbubble flotation column

The Cyclonic-Static Microbubble Flotation Column (FCSMC) is currently a widely used, novel type of flotation device. The self-absorbing microbubble generator is the core component of this device. The structure of the microbubble generator directly influences flotation column performance by affecting bubble size and distribution as well as gas holdup in the column. However, the complicated flow inside the generator results in high R&D costs and difficulty in testing. Thus, the CFD software, FLUENT, was used to simulate the gas-liquid two-phase flow inside a self-absorbing microbubble generator. The effect of area ratio, a key structural parameter, was studied in detail. Critical flow-field parameters including velocity, turbulent kinetic energy, minimum static pressure and gas holdup were obtained. The simulation results demonstrate that the optimum area ratio is 3.