Particle capture by expanding droplets: effects of inner diffusion

Fast agglomeration by emulsion binders to capture fine, hydrophobic particles has been developed in the past few years as an alternative froth flotation small air bubbles. This new method consists of mixing a particle suspension and saltwater-filled droplets covered with semi-permeable oil layers. These expand due osmotic flux water caused presence salt inside droplets. To better understand physics underlying this novel method, we investigate binary interactions between particles. The current work examines dynamics rigid spherical drop that expands osmosis external, pure-extensional flow field. droplet is governed expansion-diffusion problem, which coupled set dynamical equations governing relative trajectory. By performing multiple trajectory simulations, calculate transient collision efficiencies, can be used determine kernel for population dynamics. We also use these simulations evolution microstructure determining behaviour pair distribution function. Our results indicate expansion increases efficiency system, especially very particles, are most difficult flotation. Moreover, although slow diffusion drops mitigate improvement, contribution may still considerable, even absence or other attractive forces.