Effect of surface pore on bubble–solid surface collisional interaction and adhesion process

Abstract

ABSTRACT In low-rank and oxidized coal flotation, the pore structure on particle surfaces can significantly affect the bubble-particle collisional adhesion process, which in turn affects the flotation performance. In this study, to understand its mechanism, the collisional interaction process between bubbles and substrates with a single pore was observed throjugh a self-made system, and the interaction force was measured during the adhesion and detachment process. The results proved that the pore accelerated the kinetic energy dissipation of the bubbles after collision and largely shortened the induction time during the adhhesion process. The induction time on the perforated substrate was an order of magnitude shorter than that on the smooth surface. The interaction force measurement results showed that bubble interaction behavior on smooth and perforated surfaces was essentially the same, which suggests that the single pore on hydrophobic surface can accelerate bubble adhesion without affecting adhesion stability, thus strengthening bubble – particle adhesion.