Fractal dimensions and morphological characteristics of aggregates formed in different physico-chemical and mechanical flocculation environments

[Display omitted] Flocculation experiments were performed in a Taylor-Couette reactor in turbulent conditions characterized by the mean shear rate. A sequenced hydrodynamic protocol was applied which consists in low and high shear rates steps allowing to promote respectively aggregation and breakage...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Colloids and surfaces. A, Physicochemical and engineering aspects Physicochemical and engineering aspects, 2019-01, Vol.560, p.213-222
Main Authors: Guérin, Léa, Frances, Christine, Liné, Alain, Coufort-Saudejaud, Carole
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aggregates
Chemical and Process Engineering
Chemical engineering
Chemical Sciences
Engineering Sciences
Flocculation
Fractal dimension
Morphology
Shear rate
Taylor-Couette reactor
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Summary:[Display omitted] Flocculation experiments were performed in a Taylor-Couette reactor in turbulent conditions characterized by the mean shear rate. A sequenced hydrodynamic protocol was applied which consists in low and high shear rates steps allowing to promote respectively aggregation and breakage processes. The particle size distribution and the 3D fractal dimension were determined on line by laser diffraction while morphological parameters were characterized off line using an automated microscope coupled with image processing. After a first aggregation-breakage cycle, the flocs formed by charge neutralization have smaller sizes than during the first aggregation step when the main aggregation mechanism is the charge neutralization whereas coarser but more resistant aggregates can be produced by bridging mechanism. During the flocculation process, high shear rates calibrate the flocs, creating small flocs having a size close to the Kolmogorov microscale. These small flocs serve as bricks to form larger flocs when lower shear rates are applied and a full reproducibility is observed after one or two cycles of the sequence depending on the aggregation mechanism. A clear correspondence was put in evidence between the shear rate conditions and the volume base mean size or fractal dimension of flocs. The morphological fractal dimension, as well as the fractal dimension derived from laser measurements, are in good agreement with the mean trend of the morphological data but cannot represent the whole diversity of floc sizes and shapes. The 3D surface base area and perimeter distributions appear as a promising tool allowing a deeper analysis of the impact of physico-chemical and shear conditions on aggregate properties during a flocculation process.
ISSN:0927-7757
1873-4359
DOI:10.1016/j.colsurfa.2018.10.017