Skip to main content
Log in

Size distribution measurement for densely binding bubbles via image analysis

  • Letter
  • Published:
Experiments in Fluids Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

For densely binding bubble clusters, conventional image analysis methods are unable to provide an accurate measurement of the bubble size distribution because of the difficulties with clearly identifying the outline edges of individual bubbles. In contrast, the bright centroids of individual bubbles can be distinctly defined and thus accurately measured. By taking this advantage, we developed a new measurement method based on a linear relationship between the bubble radius and the radius of its bright centroid so to avoid the need to identify the bubble outline edges. The linear relationship and method were thoroughly tested for 2D bubble clusters in a highly binding condition and found to be effective and robust for measuring the bubble sizes.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7

References

  • Bailey M, Gomez C, Finch J (2005) Development and application of an image analysis method for wide bubble size distributions. Miner Eng 18:1214–1221

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Beucher S (1992) The watershed transformation applied to image segmentation. Scanning Microscopy-Supplement: 299–299

  • Bongiovanni C, Chevaillier JP, Fabre J (1997) Sizing of bubbles by incoherent imaging: defocus bias. Exp Fluids 23:209–216

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Burns S, Zhang M (1999) Digital image analysis to assess microbubble behavior in porous media. J Comput Civil Eng 13:43–48

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Clift R, Grace JR, Weber ME (1978) Bubbles, drops, and particles. Academic press, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Feng W (2011) A study of rhamnolipid microbubble dispersion for bioremediation applications: dispersion properties and bacteria/surfactant/contaminant interactions. Dissertation, University of Auckland

  • Hernandez-Aguilar J, Gomez C, Finch J (2002) A technique for the direct measurement of bubble size distributions in industrial flotation cells Proceedings of the 34th Annual Meeting of the Canadian Mineral Processors. CIM, Ottawa, pp. 389–402

  • Kracht W, Emery X, Paredes C (2013) A stochastic approach for measuring bubble size distribution via image analysis. Int J Miner Process 121:6–11

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Leiva J, Vinnett L, Contreras F, Yianatos J (2010) Estimation of the actual bubble surface area flux in flotation. Miner Eng 23:888–894

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Miskovic S (2011) An Investigation of the gas dispersion properties of mechanical flotation cells: an In-Situ approach. Dissertation, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

  • Onofri FA, Krzysiek M, Mroczka J, Ren K-F, Radev S, Bonnet J-P (2009) Optical characterization of bubbly flows with a near-critical-angle scattering technique. Exp Fluids 47:721–732. doi:10.1007/s00348-009-0649-y

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Otsu N (1975) A threshold selection method from gray-level histograms. Automatica 11:23–27

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The research project has been funded by the Australia Coal Association Research Program (ACARP C20022) and the Australian Research Council (LP120100662). The authors are grateful for the help from the technicians in the laboratory of the Geotechnical Engineering Centre and Julius Kruttschnitt Mineral Research Centre at the University of Queensland. We sincerely thank the anonymous reviewer for the constructive comments.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ye Ma.

Additional information

Ye Ma and Guanxi Yan have contributed equally to this work.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Ma, Y., Yan, G., Scheuermann, A. et al. Size distribution measurement for densely binding bubbles via image analysis. Exp Fluids 55, 1860 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00348-014-1860-z

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00348-014-1860-z

Keywords

Navigation