Efficient chromium removal from aqueous solutions by precipitate flotation using rhamnolipid biosurfactants

In the present research study, the efficient removal of hexavalent chromium from aqueous solutions by precipitate flotation method was investigated. The experiments were carried out with the use of ferrous sulfate as a precipitating agent for chromium and rhamnolipid bio surfactant (RL) as a precipitate collector. The effects of rhamnolipid and co-precipitate concentrations, aeration rate, solution pH, and salt addition on the chromium removal were studied using a full factorial design. The chromium removal and water recovery to foam products were analyzed as process responses. Statistical analyses showed that the effects of all factors on the chromium removal followed a non-linear trend with a peak at the middle level. After the process optimization, the maximum chromium removal of 96.75±0.3% was obtained at pH value of 8, RL/Cr ratio of 0.01, Fe/Cr ratio of 3, and aeration rate of 50 cm3/min. Addition of salt with different cationic and anionic groups negatively influenced the removal efficiency. Kinetic studies suggested that the process of chromium removal by the precipitate flotation followed the first-order process with a rate constant of about 0.018 sec-1. Given the good removal capacity and kinetics, rhamnolipid biosurfactants can be a promising environmental-friendly bio collector for the removal of chromium ions from aqueous solutions

Introducing key advantages of intensified flotation cells over conventionally used mechanical and column cells

The present paper introduces the key advantages of ImhoflotTM, JamesonTM, and RefluxTM flotation cells over the conventionally used mechanical and column cells from different perspectives. The impact of slurry mean retention time, bubble size distribution, and energy input was studied for all cell types. The mean retention time of laboratory scale ImhoflotTM (V030-cell) and RefluxTM flotation cells (RFC100) were measured experimentally using KCl as a tracer. Also, initially a statistical and practical overview of previously installed ImhoflotTM, and JamesonTM cells was presented in this work. It was found that more industrial data is available for the JamesonTM cell. The diagnostic results showed that RefluxTM, JamesonTM, and ImhoflotTM functionally operate similarly based on providing intensive turbulence in the downcomer. They were initially applied to the Australian and the UK coal industries and installed in the cleaning stage of flotation circuits, while there are now more applications in a wide variety of minerals across the world in different flotation stages. First pilot trials on a Russian gold ore were reported operating both JamesonTM and ImhoflotTM cells at the rougher-scalper and cleaner stages providing superior results using the ImhoflotTM cell as rougher-scalper and the JamesonTM at the cleaner. Formation of sub-micron and micron-sized bubbles, effective hydrodynamic characteristics, and low capital and operating costs were reported as major advantages of intensified flotation cells over the conventionally used ones in improving the recoverability of ultra-fine particles. Literature data showed that these cells provide greater gas-hold-up values (40-60%) over the mechanical (5-20%) and column cells (5-25%) with substantially lower power inputs. It was indicated that low mean slurry retention time could lead to a potential enhancement in their throughputs, but further industrial measurements are required to prove this statement. The RefluxTM cell showed a plug-flow mixing regime, while ImhoflotTM V-Cell followed the trend of perfect mixing and plug-flow dispersion regimes