BUBBLE-SIZE DISTRIBUTION IN A BUBBLE COLUMN APPLIED TO AQUACULTURE SYSTEMS

Bubble size distribution affects the gas-liquid mass transfer rates during aeration and foam fractionation processes employed in recirculating aquacultural systems. The effects of air flow rate, protein concentration and air stone pore size on bubble characterization were investigated. Bubble size was measured photographically in conjunction with image-processing techniques. The study indicated that bubble size increased with airflow rate and air stone pore size, but decreased with protein concentration. Within the tested range of these variables, the geometric diameters of the majority of the bubbles (90%) were within the range of 0.5-3.0 mm, and the bubble sizes followed a normal distribution.