Tomographic Analysis of Flocs and Flocculating Suspensions

C Selomulya, X Jia, and R A Williams

Institute of Particle Science and Technology

School of Process, Environmental, and Materials Engineering University of Leeds LS2 9JT United Kingdom, precs@leeds.ac.uk

ABSTRACT

Several analysis methods for flocculating systems in suspension or in sediment are briefly reviewed. 3D reconstruction of stationary flocs in water is reported through the use of confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) and x-ray microtomography (XMT). The methodology is described, along with an example of direct computation of fluid flux through a porous assembly with lattice-Boltzmann simulation, utilizing the data sets. Both CLSM and XMT presented unique challenges in sample handling and technical capability, but XMT has specifically demonstrated a potential to be used as a tool to characterise sediment structure and possibly, particulate aggregates in the future.

Keywords Aggregate, microstructure, sediment, x-ray tomography