Student practical training / Bachelor theses / Master theses / Diploma theses

Froth flotation is a separation process which plays a major role in the mining industry. Bubble-particle interactions are the very heart of this process, largely used for the capture of valuable commodities such as rare earth metals. The Institute of Fluid Dynamics of the research centre Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (Germany) is making a bold move towards investigating the capture of mineral particles by rising bubbles. The Institute seeks a student to deploy high-speed imaging techniques and to observe the collision and attachment of particles falling on a bubble surface.

Tasks:

•Literature survey on particle attachment to bubble surface and froth flotation
•Visualisation with a high-speed camera of the attachment of falling solid particles on the surface of bubble
•Image processing of particle-bubble interactions

Duration: 6 Months

Financial compensation: yes

Language course: The HZDR offers German courses free of charge (not compulsory)

International applications: Yes, we welcome international applicants. It is preferable if the present internship is a compulsory part of your studies.

References
[1] Lecrivain G., et al., Attachment of solid elongated particles on a gas bubble surface. International Journal of Multiphase Flow 71, p. 83-93, 2015
[2] Lecrivain G., et al., Direct numerical simulation of a particle attachment to an immersed bubble. Physics of Fluids 28, 083301, 2016

•Interest in fluid mechanics
•High level of autonomy
•Enthusiasm for experimental work