A Theoretical Model of Flotation Deinking Efficiency

The associated probabilities of each microprocess occurring in flotation deinking are employed in the development of a kinetic or population balance-type model of the overall flotation process. The overall model contains two kinetic constants: The first, k 1 , governs the overall probability of a free ink particle successfully being intercepted by and adhering to an air bubble; the second, k 2 , is a measure of the probability that a particle/bubble aggregate pair will become unstable and split to yield a "new" free ink particle. The solution to the kinetic model is presented in terms of k 1 and k 2 , which are themselves functions of system parameters such as bubble and particle physical properties (e.g., diameter, density) and fluid properties (e.g., viscosity, surface tension). From this solution, a definition of theoretical flotation efficiency is presented, as well as definitions of other system performance parameters, and selected predictions are displayed.