Joint special session explores electric field-driven nanobubble generation at ELKIN2024 in Seville
AquaB Nanobubble Innovations, in collaboration with Aramco, organised a special research session at the 15th International Symposium on Electrokinetics (ELKIN2024) in Seville, Spain. The session showcased advances in electric field-driven nanobubble generation technology and its industrial applications.
The symposium, organised by the International Electrokinetics Society (IES), brought together leading researchers and practitioners in electrokinetics to discuss both theoretical developments and practical applications. The AquaB-Aramco session focused specifically on the role of electric fields in nanobubble physics and transport.
Key Technical Insights
During the session, Prof. Niall English, AquaB's Chief Technology Officer, presented research on the electric field genesis of denser nanobubbles, a process that the company has successfully implemented at industrial scale. The presentation highlighted several advantages of electric field-generated nanobubbles:
- Enhanced stability: significantly longer lifespan compared to mechanically generated nanobubbles
- Greater density: producing what the research team describes as "thick-skinned" nanobubbles with superior mechanical properties
- Improved controllability: precise adjustment of nanobubble characteristics through field parameters
The research demonstrates that applying electric fields during nanobubble generation results in populations with enhanced longevity and stability, opening new possibilities for industrial deployment.
The presentation included performance metrics of AquaB's commercial nanobubble generators, emphasising three critical parameters:
- Nanobubble population density
- Lifespan and stability characteristics
- Functional performance in target applications
Understanding these metrics is essential for optimising nanobubble technology across diverse sectors including water treatment, energy production, and various industrial processes where gas-liquid interactions play a crucial role.
The Art of Nanobubble Engineering
The concept of "nanobubble engineering" emerged as a central theme; the ability to precisely control nanobubble characteristics through electric field manipulation represents a fundamental shift from previous generation methods. This level of control enables the tailoring of nanobubble properties to specific application requirements, a capability that distinguishes electric field-based approaches from conventional mechanical generation techniques.
Future Directions
While significant progress has been achieved with breakthrough electric-field methods in nanobubble generation, substantial opportunities remain for exploration. Many potential applications could benefit from this enabling platform technology, particularly in sectors facing challenges related to gas solubility, mass transfer, and energy efficiency.
The collaboration between AquaB and Aramco continues to advance both the fundamental understanding and practical implementation of electric field nanobubble technology. As industrial adoption grows and new use cases are identified, the field of nanobubble engineering is poised for continued expansion.
About ELKIN2024
The International Symposium on Electrokinetics serves as the premier global forum for researchers and practitioners working on electrokinetic phenomena and their applications. The 2024 edition in Seville provided an ideal platform for interdisciplinary collaboration and knowledge exchange among experts from academia and industry.
