Numerical Simulation of Air–Water–Flake Graphite Triple-Phase Flow Field in a Homemade Double-Nozzle Jet Micro-Bubble Generator

Abstract

The essential part of the flake graphite flotation apparatus is a micro-bubble generator. Developing a micro-bubble generator with a reasonable structure and superior self-absorption performance is crucial to improving flake graphite sorting. In this study, to realize the integrated treatment of the grinding and mineralization of flake graphite, the development and manufacturing of a double-nozzle jet micro-bubble generator were based on the concepts of shear-type cavitation water jets and jet pumps, among other theories. A numerical simulation of the air–water–flake graphite triple-phase flow field of the generator was conducted using the CFD method. The goal was to investigate the grinding and mineralization process of flake graphite by analyzing the distribution of the air phase’s volume percentage and the speed distribution of the air–water–flake graphite triple-phase flow field. The findings indicate that the air-phase volume percentage produced by the generator ranges from 98.3% to 99.9%, and the air-phase volume percentage is evenly distributed within the steady flow tube, achieving the mineralization function. Additionally, the flake graphite particles are dissociated from the flake graphite under the combined effect of friction shear and cavitation of the internal nozzles, thereby achieving the grinding function.