General Survey of Adsorptive Bubble Separation Processes

In this article we present a general survey of adsorptive bubble separation processes. These separation methods involve the use of selective adsorption at gas-liquid interfaces, the interfaces being generated by gas bubbles in aqueous media. A variety of processes based on this mechanism have been developed, and these methods are described in this review. The underlying concepts in this field are then explored so that the similarities between the methods can be seen. Engineering applications, as well as our own work on analytical applications, are presented. Suggestions are also made as to future potentialities for these adsorptive bubble separation processes. Finally, to place these methods in proper perspective, the techniques are compared to such widely used processes as ion exchange and liquid-liquid extraction.