scholarly journals Modeling the Separation of Microorganisms in Bioprocesses by Flotation

Processes ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (10) ◽  
pp. 184 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefan Schmideder ◽  
Christoph Kirse ◽  
Julia Hofinger ◽  
Sascha Rollié ◽  
Heiko Briesen

Bioprocesses for the production of renewable energies and materials lack efficient separation processes for the utilized microorganisms such as algae and yeasts. Dissolved air flotation (DAF) and microflotation are promising approaches to overcome this problem. The efficiency of these processes depends on the ability of microorganisms to aggregate with microbubbles in the flotation tank. In this study, different new or adapted aggregation models for microbubbles and microorganisms are compared and investigated for their range of suitability to predict the separation efficiency of microorganisms from fermentation broths. The complexity of the heteroaggregation models range from an algebraic model to a 2D population balance model (PBM) including the formation of clusters containing several bubbles and microorganisms. The effect of bubble and cell size distributions on the flotation efficiency is considered by applying PBMs, as well. To determine the sensitivity of the results on the model assumptions, the modeling approaches are compared, and suggestions for their range of applicability are given. Evaluating the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) of a dissolved air flotation (DAF) system shows the heterogeneity of the fluid dynamics in the flotation tank. Since analysis of the streamlines of the tank show negligible back mixing, the proposed aggregation models are coupled to the CFD data by applying a Lagrangian approach.

Author(s):  
Stefan Schmideder ◽  
Christoph Kirse ◽  
Julia Hofinger ◽  
Sascha Rollié ◽  
Heiko Briesen

Bioprocesses for the production of renewable energies and materials lack efficient separation processes for the utilized microorganisms such as algae and yeasts. Dissolved air flotation (DAF) and microflotation are promising approaches to overcome this problem. The efficiency of these processes depends on the ability of microorganisms to aggregate with microbubbles in the flotation tank. In this study, different new or adapted aggregation models for microbubbles and microorganisms are compared and investigated for their range of suitability to predict the separation efficiency of microorganisms from fermentation broths. The complexity of the heteroaggregation models range from an algebraic model to a 2D population balance model (PBM) including the formation of clusters containing several bubbles and microorganisms. The effect of bubble and cell size distributions on the flotation efficiency is considered by applying PBMs, as well. To determine the impact of the model assumptions, the modeling approaches are compared and classified for their range of applicability. Evaluating computational fluid dynamics (CFD) of a DAF system shows the heterogeneity of the fluid dynamics in the flotation tank. Since analysis of the streamlines of the tank show negligible backmixing, the proposed aggregation models are coupled to the CFD data by applying a Lagrangian approach.


2006 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 271-278 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heung-Joe Jung ◽  
Jae-Wook Lee ◽  
Do-Young Choi ◽  
Seong-Jin Kim ◽  
Dong-Heui Kwak

1997 ◽  
Vol 36 (12) ◽  
pp. 223-230 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hak Chung Tai ◽  
Yeon Kim Doo

An experimental study was conducted to identify the effect of each operating variable on the liquid-solids separation efficiency using a bench scale batch flotation system and waste activated sludge. Interpretation of the experimental results was performed by use of the characteristic constants of an empirical equation proposed. Minimum A/S ratio for reliable operation of dissolved air flotation should be greater than 0.009. However, unstable sludge rising took place at the initial clarification stage due to excessive shear and turbulence when the pressure was high in spite of high A/S ratio. The efficiency increased as the A/S ratio increased except a case of high pressure coupled with high A/S ratio. High recirculation flow with a saturator pressure less than 5 atm is recommended for stable and efficient operation. The pore size of a diffuser did not affect the thickening efficiency significantly. Concentration gradient of the float solids became larger as flotation continued. Skimming of a top layer or a long skimming interval is desirable for high thickening efficiency.


2015 ◽  
Vol 72 (5) ◽  
pp. 762-769 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dong-Heui Kwak ◽  
Mi-Sug Kim

The effect of chemical coagulation and biological auto-flocculation relative to zeta potential was examined to compare flotation and sedimentation separation processes for algae harvesting. Experiments revealed that microalgae separation is related to auto-flocculation of Anabaena spp. and requires chemical coagulation for the whole period of microalgae cultivation. In addition, microalgae separation characteristics which are associated with surfactants demonstrated optimal microalgae cultivation time and separation efficiency of dissolved CO2 flotation (DCF) as an alternative to dissolved air flotation (DAF). Microalgae were significantly separated in response to anionic surfactant rather than cationic surfactant as a function of bubble size and zeta potential. DAF and DCF both showed slightly efficient flotation; however, application of anionic surfactant was required when using DCF.


2003 ◽  
Vol 48 (3) ◽  
pp. 89-96
Author(s):  
M. Ljunggren ◽  
L. Jönsson

This study presents practical implications for particle separation in Dissolved Air Flotation (DAF). The objectives were to localise where particles are separated from the water phase and to determine what particles, in terms of size, are removed by the DAF-process. Both pilot- and full-scale plants were investigated. Particle sizes were analysed with a light-blocking particle counter and an optical borescope was used for visualisation of particle-bubble aggregates. It was found that particles are preferably separated upstream in the process, i.e. close to the contact zone. Furthermore, separation efficiency for particles increased with increasing particle size.


2015 ◽  
Vol 72 (7) ◽  
pp. 1111-1118 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Lakghomi ◽  
Y. Lawryshyn ◽  
R. Hofmann

Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) models of dissolved air flotation (DAF) have shown formation of stratified flow (back and forth horizontal flow layers at the top of the separation zone) and its impact on improved DAF efficiency. However, there has been a lack of experimental validation of CFD predictions, especially in the presence of solid particles. In this work, for the first time, both two-phase (air–water) and three-phase (air–water–solid particles) CFD models were evaluated at pilot scale using measurements of residence time distribution, bubble layer position and bubble–particle contact efficiency. The pilot-scale results confirmed the accuracy of the CFD model for both two-phase and three-phase flows, but showed that the accuracy of the three-phase CFD model would partly depend on the estimation of bubble–particle attachment efficiency.


2001 ◽  
Vol 43 (8) ◽  
pp. 35-41 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. A. Crossley ◽  
M. T. Valade ◽  
J. Shawcross

The paper describes the method that led to the design of the 1,500 Ml/day dissolved air flotation (DAF) water treatment plant for Boston's water supply. In particular, the topics of flocculation techniques, floated solids removal and DAF recycle as they relate to very large capacity plant design are covered in detail. The use of mathematical models, including computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software, to refine the design is described.


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