SEPARATION OF NEUTRALLY BUOYANT MATERIALS FROM WATER

摘要

Described herein are methods of separating phase separated, neutrally buoyant materials from liquids and apparatuses for carrying out the methods. The methods and apparatuses employ nanobubbles. In certain embodiments, the nanobubbles may be formed in solutions of hydrophobically modified water soluble polymers. The methods result in removal of 90% by weight or more of neutrally buoyant materials from liquids. The methods are useful in certain embodiments for separating neutrally buoyant oily mixtures from water produced by mining operations.

主权项

1. A method of separating a neutrally buoyant material from a liquid, the method comprising
(a) pressurizing a first liquid with a gas at a first pressure to form a pressurized liquid; and (b) contacting the pressurized liquid with a second liquid, the second liquid including a neutrally buoyant material dispersed therein, the second liquid being maintained at a second pressure that is lower than the first pressure, wherein the contacting includes a gradient pressure change from the first pressure to the second pressure, such that the gradient pressure change results in the formation of nanobubbles having an average diameter of about 10 nm to 100 nm.