Molecular Dynamics Simulation: Influence of External Electric Field on Bubble Interface in Air Flotation Process

• Published in: Chemical research in Chinese universities 2018-12, Vol.34 (6), p.939-944
• Main Authors: Wu, Leichao, Han, Yong, Zhang, Qianrui, Zhu, Lin, Zhang, Chuanxin, Zhao, Ruikuan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Analytical Chemistry; Chemical properties; Chemistry; Chemistry and Materials Science; Chemistry/Food Science; Dipole moments; Electric field strength; Electric fields; Flotation; Hydrogen bonding; Inorganic Chemistry; Liquid phases; Molecular dynamics; Organic Chemistry; Phase transitions; Physical Chemistry; Surface tension; Toluene; Vapor phases; Viscosity; Water chemistry
• ISSN: 1005-9040; 2210-3171
• DOI: 10.1007/s40242-018-8195-x

Molecular dynamics(MD) simulation was performed to investigate the influence of external electric field on the vapour-liquid interface of the bubble during the process of toluene separation by air flotation. The physico-chemical properties of vapour-liquid interface, surface tension, probability of a hydrogen bonding near the vapour-liquid interface and the viscosity of liquid phase caused by external electric field were analyzed. The results show that the angle between the water molecule dipole moment and the normal z axis in the vapour phase changes smaller when the external electric field is applied. The surface tension and the probability of hydrogen bonding near the vapour-liquid interface increase with the increase of electric field strength. And the viscosity also increases under an external electric field. The results confirm that the external electric field has a positive effect on the performance of bubbles in air flotation, which may provide useful guidance for the combination of electric field and air flotation technology.