Method for Dewatering Micro-algae with a Bubble Column - 1999 Patent

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Method for Dewatering Micro-algae with a Bubble Column - 1999 Patent

Abstract
A process for dewatering an aqueous suspension of microalgae is disclosed in which the aqueous suspension of the algae is introduced into a bubble column or a modified bubble column for generating a froth of bubbles and adsorbed algal cells that can be separated from the aqueous suspension. In one advantageous embodiment, the bubble column is a multi-stage loop-flow flotation column that has three loop-flow zones, each of which is defined by a draft tube concentrically mounted in the column to divide each loop-flow zone into a riser and the downcomer. Fine bubbles of gas and brine are in cocurrent upward flow in the riser and in cocurrent downward flow the downcomer. A higher gas holdup is promoted in the riser than in the downcomer, thereby circulating the brine in loop-flow upwardly through the riser and downwardly through the downcomer. Liquid communication between adjacent loop-flow zones is substantially eliminated. A froth enriched in algae is generated that can be separated...

Patent number: 5910254
Filing date: Dec 20, 1996
Issue date: Jun 8, 1999
Inventors: Scott Arthur Guelcher, Jeffrey Scott Kanel
Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company

More info on this patent from here

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