Advances in Flotation Bubble Size Measurement

The generation, control, and measurement of bubble sizes is very important in the froth flotation process. The sizes of bubbles is known to control crucial sub-process that influence the recovery of particles viz. bubble–particle collision, attachment, and detachment in conventional flotation process. Recent research in coarse particle flotation has also indicated that reducing bubble sizes to the nanoscale can improve the recovery of coarse particles. In the froth phase, the sizes of bubbles are also important as a signature or an indicator of the performance of the flotation cell; therefore, the estimation or measurement of bubble sizes is a crucial  part of the machine vison control in flotation. Important froth parameters that are critical to understanding the froth (i.e., froth stability and mobility) can be inferred from bubble size and shape. Furthermore, the sizes of bubbles also indicate the available surface area for particles to attach in the froth.

Several methods have been developed to measure bubble sizes in both the froth phase and the pulp phase of the flotation process. The majority of these methods are based on image analyses, with the remainder based on the electrical, optical and magnetic resonance properties of bubbles/foams. The purpose of this Special Issue is to highlight the development and application of bubble size measurement techniques in froth flotation. The Issue covers bubble size measurement in both the froth phase and the pulp phase. Further, the advancements in algorithms for segmentation for the estimation of bubble sizes are also important. The application of bubble size measurement methods to understand the flotation process and for flotation process control is critical to advancing the adoption of some of the methods of measuring bubble sizes in froth flotation, and therefore related articles will be included in the Special Issue. The aim of the Issue is to showcase the current research on the measurement and application of bubble size measurement tools in froth flotation.

Dr. Clayton Bhondayi
Prof. Dr. Willie Nheta
Dr. Fardis Nakhaei
Guest Editors

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• froth phase bubble size measurement
• image analysis for bubble size measurement
• development in image segmentation for bubble size
• in situ bubble size measurement
• bubble size measurement for flotation control
• nano- and microbubble size measurements
• application of bubble size measurement in industry
• bubble sizes in machine vision
• application of bubble size measurement for flotation advancement