Molecular Dynamics Simulation: Influence of External Electric Field on Bubble Interface in Air Flotation Process

Abstract

Molecular dynamics(MD) simulation was performed to investigate the influence of external electric field on the vapour-liquid interface of the bubble during the process of toluene separation by air flotation. The physico-chemical properties of vapour-liquid interface, surface tension, probability of a hydrogen bonding near the vapour-liquid interface and the viscosity of liquid phase caused by external electric field were analyzed. The results show that the angle between the water molecule dipole moment and the normal z axis in the vapour phase changes smaller when the external electric field is applied. The surface tension and the probability of hydrogen bonding near the vapour-liquid interface increase with the increase of electric field strength. And the viscosity also increases under an external electric field. The results confirm that the external electric field has a positive effect on the performance of bubbles in air flotation, which may provide useful guidance for the combination of electric field and air flotation technology.