Modeling surfactant removal in foam fractionation: II — Experimental investigations

Experiments were conducted to evaluate a mathematical model developed for surfactant removal by foam fractionation. Concentration changes of proteins which were believed to be the major surfactants in fish culture water were analyzed for different fractionator operating conditions. Experimental results indicate that a foam fractionator operated under batch conditions can be treated as a completely mixed reactor. The diffusion coefficient of proteins as surfactants was in the order of 10−12 m2/s. Protein removal rate by a foam fractionation process was proportional to the protein concentration in bulk solution and air flow rate. Other pertinent parameters that were also evaluated included bubble size and bubble rising velocity. Predictions of protein removal rates were given for fractionators operating at batch mode conditions.