Reverse Enrichment in a Multi-stage Bubble Separator

Abstract

An unexpected phenomenon named "reverse enrichment" was observed, in which, contrary to the normal behaviour, isoelectric hemoglobin coagula concentrated in the bottom stage of a multistage bubble separator. The phenomenon was observed when the hemoglobin particles were highly concentrated, the bubble diameter was larger than one third of the hole diameter of the partition plate, and the superficial air velocity at the hole was high. Transient and final behaviours of the multi-stage bubble separator with the reverse enrichment were analyzed by assuming the rejection of particles from upward thin liquid streams.