Patent ID: 7651620

Claim:
A method for generating microbubbles using a pressurized water releasing nozzle in a flotation plant, the method comprising the steps: forming within the nozzle a first pressure reduction stage defined by an inlet and an axially displaced diaphragm having at least one orifice; forming within the nozzle an intermediate transfer chamber downstream and adjacent to the first diaphragm; forming within the nozzle a second pressure reduction stage axially displaced downstream of the intermediate transfer chamber and defined by a second diaphragm having at least one orifice and a space immediately downstream of the a second diaphragm; forming a cylindrical outlet pipe section connected to the second pressure reduction stage, the pipe section formed with a minimum length corresponding to the distance between the second diaphragm and a cylindrical end portion of the pipe section; further forming, downstream of the at least one orifice in the second diaphragm, a diverging jet from the at least one orifice, the divergence angle with respect to an axis of the orifice being between 3° and 12°; the hydraulic diameter of the at least one orifice of the first stage diaphragm being greater than the hydraulic diameter of the at least one orifice of the second stage diaphragm; immersing the nozzle in liquid of the flotation plant; supplying pressurized water to the nozzle inlet; performing a preliminary pressure reduction at the first pressure reduction stage by absorbing 5 to 20% of available pressure therein; subjecting the pressurized water to transition in the intermediate chamber wherein the water therein approaches saturation pressure by absorbing 5 to 30% of available pressure in the intermediate chamber; performing most of the pressure reduction in the second pressure reduction stage, for causing pressurized water to pass from a saturation pressure to a nozzle outlet pressure; and subjecting water to further pass through the outlet pipe wherein is it subjected to a sudden pressure reduction and cavitation.