The thin film pressure balance (TFPB) technique were used to study the stability of single foam films produced in the presence of n-alkyl polyoxyethylene (CnEOm) homologues. The results showed that films thin faster than predicted by the classical DLVO theory, which considers contributions from the van der Waals-dispersion and double-layer forces to the disjoining pressure of the film. The discrepancy may be attributed to the presence of hydrophobic force, the magnitude of which has been estimated using the Reynolds lubrication approximation. It has been found that the attractive hydrophobic force was substantially larger than the attractive van der Waals force, which may explain the faster film thinning kinetics. With a given non-ionic surfactant, the hydrophobic force decreased with increasing surfactant concentration, which explained the slower kinetics observed at higher concentrations and hence the increased foam stability. At concentrations where the hydrophobic force became comparable to or smaller than the van der Waals force, the foam films were stabilized by the increased elasticity of the foam films. The film elasticity of the surfactant solutions were measured using the oscillating drop analysis technique at different frequencies. The measurements were conducted in the presence of CnEOm surfactants with n=10-14 and m=4-8, and the results were analyzed using the Lucassen and van den Tempel model (1972). There was a reasonable fit between the experiment and the model predictions when using the values of the Gibbs elasticity calculated from the Wang and Yoon model (2006). From this exercise, it was possible to determine the diffusion coefficients (D) of the CnEOm surfactants. The D values obtained for CnEOm surfactants were in the range of 2.5x10-10 to 6x10-9 m2s-1, which are in general agreement with those reported in the literature for other surfactants. The diffusion coefficient decreased with increasing alkyl chain length (n) and increased with increasing chain length (m) of the EO group. These findings are in agreement with the results of the dynamic surface tension measurements conducted in the present work. The TFPB studies were also conducted on the foam films stabilized in the presence of a mixture of C12EO8 and sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS) at different ratios. The results showed that the hydrophobic force increased with increasing C12EO8 to SDS ratio. Thus, the former was more effective than the latter in decreasing the hydrophobic force and hence stabilizing foam films. The C12EO8 was more efficient than SDS in increasing the elasticity of the single foam films and stabilizing foams. The TFPB studies were also conducted in the presence of n-octadecyltimethyl chloride (C18TACl) and polymers, i.e., polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and polystyrene sulfonate (PSS). The effect of polymer on the film elasticity was strongest in the presence of PSS, which can be attributed to the charge-charge interaction. Nano-sized silica and poly methyl methacrylate (PMMA) particles were used as solid surfactants to stabilize foams. It was found that the foam stability was maximum at contact angles just below 90o. The TFPB studies conducted with silica nano-particles showed that the kinetics of foam films became slower as the contact angle was increased from 30o to 77 o , indicating that foam films becomes more stable with more hydrophobic particles. The extra-ordinary stability observed with the hydrophobic silica nano-particles may be attributed to the possibility that the particles adsorbed on bubble surfaces retard the drainage rate and prevent the films to reach the critical rupture thickness (Hc). Confocal microscope and SEM images showed that hydrophobized nano-particles adsorbed on the surfaces of air bubbles, and that some of the nano-particles form aggregates depending on the particle size and hydrophobicity. The dynamic surface tension measurements conducted with PMMA and silica nano-particles showed that the latter has higher diffusion rates than the former, which may be due to the differences in particle size and hydrophobicity. / Ph. D.

Fundamental studies of surface forces in foam films are carried out to explain the stability of foams and froths in froth flotation. The thin film pressure balance (TFPB) technique was used to study the surface forces between air bubbles in water from equilibrium film thickness and dynamic film thinning measurements. The results were compared with the disjoining pressure predicted from the Derjaguin-Landau-Verwey-Overbeek (DLVO) theory. The contribution from the non-DLVO force was estimated by subtracting the electrostatic double-layer and van der Waals forces from the total force (or pressure) measured. The results obtained in the present work suggest that a strong attractive force (referred to as hydrophobic force) exists at very low surfactant concentrations, and that it decreases with increasing surfactant and/or electrolyte concentrations. In contrast, pH changes have only minor effects on the hydrophobic force. The changes in the hydrophobic force observed at low surfactant concentration region have been related to foam stability in flotation. In addition, an analytical model applicable to a broad range of surfactant concentration was developed to calculate film elasticity from surface tension. The model finds, however, that the film elasticities change little at low surfactant concentrations. It is, therefore, suggested that bubble coalescence and foam stability at low surfactant concentrations may be largely affected by hydrophobic force. The TFPB technique was also used to study the surface forces in the foam films stabilized with various frothers such as pentanol, octanol, methyl isobutyl carbinol (MIBC), and polypropylene glycol (PPG). The results were compared with the foam stabilities measured using the shake tests and the film elasticity calculated using the model developed in the present work. It was found that at a low electrolyte concentration foam stability is controlled by film elasticity and surface forces, the relative contributions from each changing with frother concentration and type. It is, therefore, proposed that one can control the foam stability in flotation by balancing the elasticities of foam films and the disjoining pressure in the films, particularly the contributions from the hydrophobic force. / Ph. D.

A technique for generating microbubble foams from a dilute surfactant solution using a column packed with millimeter sized glass beads is examined. The investigation requires the fabrication of a test unit capable of producing microbubble foam at 40 L/min and design and fabrication of a packed bed device. The work also introduces an improved method for photographing and viewing microbubble foams immediately after they are formed. This method can be used to quantitatively characterize the bubbles in the foam. Microbubble foams with a majority of bubbles less than 90 microns (μ) in diameter and with few bubbles greater than 150 μ were produced with the packed column device. The experimental results indicate that increased shearing forces resulting from increased volumetric flowrate and increased air fraction, enhance the generation of bubbles less than 90 μ in size. Further, stable microbubbles can be produced with surfactant (sodium dodecylebenzenesulfonate) concentrations as low as 200 ppm; and, the use of recycle produces a dramatic decrease in the size of all bubbles produced. Economically, the packed bed technique is superior to the spinning disk technique, the current microbubble foam generation method. This fact is partially due to the absence of an adequate large scale spinning disk device. In application, surfactant costs hamper the feasible use of a packed bed generation device. If, however, an application is used which begins with a surfactant laden solution, then the packed bed method becomes competitive. / Master of Science

Graphite foams have high bulk thermal conductivity and low density, making them an excellent material for heat exchanger applications. This research focused on the characterization of graphite foams under various processing conditions (different foaming pressures and particle additions), specifically studying the effects of porosity on the thermal properties. The characterization of the foams included measuring cell sizes, percent open porosity, number of cells per square inch, bulk density, Archimedes density, compression strength, thermal conductivity, thermal resistance, and permeability. Several relationships between the structure and properties were established, and a recommendation for the processing conditions of graphite foams for the use in heat exchangers was determined. / Master of Science

No description available.

by Chung Wai Ki. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1992. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 110-120). / Acknowledgments --- p.i / Abstract --- p.ii / Table of Content --- p.iii / Chapter 1. --- Introduction --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1 --- Sewage Treatment --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1.1 --- Overview --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1.2 --- Types of Treatment --- p.2 / Chapter 1.2 --- Activated Sludge Process --- p.3 / Chapter 1.2.1 --- Overview --- p.3 / Chapter 1.2.2 --- Biology of Activated Sludge --- p.3 / Chapter 1.2.3 --- Operation of the Activated Sludge Process --- p.4 / Chapter 1.2.4 --- Floe Formation in Activated Sludge Process --- p.10 / Chapter 1.2.5 --- Operational Problems Associated with the Activated Sludge Process --- p.12 / Chapter 1.2.5.1 --- Bulking --- p.12 / Chapter 1.2.5.2 --- Foaming --- p.14 / Chapter 1.3 --- Foaming in Activated Sludge Process --- p.15 / Chapter 1.3.1 --- Overview --- p.15 / Chapter 1.3.2 --- Causes of Foaming --- p.16 / Chapter 1.3.2.1 --- Biology of Nocardia --- p.18 / Chapter 1.3.2.2 --- Growth Strategy of Nocardia --- p.18 / Chapter 1.3.2.3 --- Metabolic Specialization of Nocardia amarae --- p.19 / Chapter 1.3.3 --- Controls of Foaming --- p.20 / Chapter 1.4 --- Microbial Lipid and Bacterial Foaming --- p.23 / Chapter 1.4.1 --- Overview --- p.23 / Chapter 1.4.2 --- Fatty Acids in Bacteria --- p.24 / Chapter 1.4.3 --- Analytical Techniques --- p.25 / Chapter 1.4.3.1 --- Chromatography --- p.25 / Chapter 1.4.3.2 --- Gas Chromatography - Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) --- p.26 / Chapter 1.4.4 --- Significance of Fatty Acids to Foaming --- p.27 / Chapter 1.5 --- Disinfection --- p.29 / Chapter 1.5.1 --- Overview --- p.29 / Chapter 1.5.2 --- Types of Disinfectants --- p.30 / Chapter 1.5.3 --- Mechanism of Disinfection --- p.31 / Chapter 1.5.4 --- Disinfection with Chlorine and Hypochlorite --- p.31 / Chapter 1.5.5 --- Chemistry of Chlorine Disinfection --- p.32 / Chapter 2. --- Objectives of Study --- p.35 / Chapter 3. --- Materials and Methods --- p.37 / Chapter 3.1 --- Sample Collection: --- p.37 / Chapter 3.2 --- Biological Studies of Activated Sludge Samples --- p.37 / Chapter 3.2.1 --- Microscopic Examination --- p.37 / Chapter 3.2.2 --- Isolation of Foam-Causing Filamentous Bacteria --- p.38 / Chapter 3.3 --- Physiology Studies of Nocardia amarae --- p.39 / Chapter 3.3.1 --- Growth Kinetics --- p.40 / Chapter 3.3.2 --- Effects of Fatty Acids on Nocardia amarae --- p.40 / Chapter 3.3.2.1 --- Fatty Acids as Sole Carbon Source --- p.41 / Chapter 3.3.2.2 --- Growth Stimulation --- p.42 / Chapter 3.3.2.3 --- Foam Test --- p.43 / Chapter 3.4 --- Fatty Acids Analysis --- p.43 / Chapter 3.4.1 --- Fatty Acid Extraction --- p.43 / Chapter 3.4.2 --- GC Analysis --- p.45 / Chapter 3.4.3 --- GC-MS Analysis --- p.46 / Chapter 3.5 --- Laboratory-Scale Activated Sludge Unit --- p.46 / Chapter 3.5.1 --- Set Up --- p.46 / Chapter 3.5.2 --- Performance Assessment of Laboratory-Scale Unit --- p.52 / Chapter 3.5.2.1 --- Physical Parameters --- p.52 / Chapter 3.5.2.2 --- Chemical Parameters --- p.54 / Chapter 3.5.2.3 --- Biological Parameters --- p.55 / Chapter 3.5.3 --- Anoxic Condition --- p.56 / Chapter 3.6 --- Toxicity Studies --- p.56 / Chapter 3.6.1 --- Comparative Toxicity Studies in Pure Culture --- p.56 / Chapter 3.6.2 --- Chlorination Studies of the Laboratory-Scale Unit --- p.58 / Chapter 3.6.3 --- Residual Chlorine Measurement --- p.58 / Chapter 3.7 --- Scanning Electron Microscopy --- p.60 / Chapter 4. --- Results --- p.61 / Chapter 4.1 --- Biological Studies of Activated Sludge --- p.61 / Chapter 4.1.1 --- Microscopic Examination --- p.61 / Chapter 4.1.2 --- Isolation of Foam-Causing Filamentous Bacteria --- p.61 / Chapter 4.2 --- Physiological Studies of Nocardia amarae --- p.65 / Chapter 4.2.1 --- Growth Kinetics --- p.65 / Chapter 4.2.2 --- Effects of Fatty Acids on Nocardia amarae --- p.69 / Chapter 4.2.2.1 --- Fatty Acids as Sole Carbon Source --- p.69 / Chapter 4.2.2.2 --- Growth Stimulation --- p.69 / Chapter 4.2.2.3 --- Foam Test --- p.69 / Chapter 4.3 --- Fatty Acids Analysis --- p.75 / Chapter 4.4 --- Laboratory-Scale Activated Sludge Unit --- p.80 / Chapter 4.4.1 --- Assessment of Performance of the Laboratory-Scale Unit --- p.80 / Chapter 4.4.2 --- Under Anoxic Condition --- p.80 / Chapter 4.5 --- Toxicity Studies --- p.85 / Chapter 4.5.1 --- Comparative Toxicity Studies in Pure Culture --- p.85 / Chapter 4.5.2 --- Chlorination Studies of Laboratory-Scale Unit --- p.85 / Chapter 4.5.3 --- Residual Chlorine Measurement --- p.91 / Chapter 5. --- Discussion --- p.94 / Chapter 5.1 --- Biological Studies of Activated Sludge Samples --- p.94 / Chapter 5.1.1 --- Microscopic Examination --- p.94 / Chapter 5.1.2 --- Isolation of Foam-Causing Filamentous Bacteria --- p.95 / Chapter 5.2 --- Physiological Studies of Nocardia amarae --- p.96 / Chapter 5.2.1 --- Growth Kinetics --- p.96 / Chapter 5.2.2 --- Effects of Fatty Acids on Nocardia amarae --- p.96 / Chapter 5.2.2.1 --- Fatty Acids as Sole Carbon Source --- p.96 / Chapter 5.2.2.2 --- Growth Stimulation --- p.97 / Chapter 5.2.2.3 --- Foam Test --- p.98 / Chapter 5.3 --- Fatty Acids Analysis --- p.99 / Chapter 5.4 --- Laboratory-Scale Activated Sludge Unit --- p.101 / Chapter 5.4.1 --- Assessment of Performance of the Laboratory-Scale Unit --- p.102 / Chapter 5.4.2 --- Under Anoxic Condition --- p.103 / Chapter 5.5 --- Toxicity Studies --- p.103 / Chapter 5.5.1 --- Comparative Toxicity Studies in Pure Culture --- p.103 / Chapter 5.5.2 --- Chlorination Studies of the Laboratory-Scale Unit --- p.105 / Chapter 6. --- Conclusion --- p.107 / Chapter 7. --- Summary --- p.108 / Chapter 8. --- References --- p.110

The use of foam-forming surfactants offers promise to improve sweep efficiency and mobility control for enhanced oil recovery (EOR). This thesis provides an in depth understanding of transport of surfactant and foam through porous media using a combination of laboratory experiments and numerical simulations. In particular, there are several issues in foam EOR processes that are examined. These include screening of surfactant adsorption onto representative rock surfaces, modeling of foam flow through porous media, and studying the effects of surface wettability and porous media heterogeneity. Surfactant adsorption onto rock surfaces is a main cause of foam chromatographic retardation as well as increased process cost. Successful foam application requires low surfactant adsorption on reservoir rock. The focus of this thesis is natural carbonate rock surfaces, such as dolomite. Surfactant adsorption was found to be highly dependent on electrostatic interactions between surfactants and rock surface. For example, the nonionic surfactant Tergitol 15-S-30 exhibits low adsorption on dolomite under alkaline conditions. In contrast, high adsorption of cationic surfactants was observed on some natural carbonate surfaces. XPS analysis reveals silicon and aluminum impurities exist in natural carbonates, but not in synthetic calcite. The high adsorption is due to the strong electrostatic interactions between the cationic surfactants and negative binding sites in silica and/or clay. There are a number of commercial foam simulators, but an approach to estimate foam modeling parameters from laboratory experiments is needed to simulate foam transport. A one-dimensional foam simulator is developed to simulate foam flow. Chromatographic retardation of surfactants caused by adsorption and by partition between phases is investigated. The parameters in the foam model are estimated with an approach utilizing both steady-state and transient experiments. By superimposing contour plots of the transition foam quality and the foam apparent viscosity, one can estimate the reference mobility reduction factor (fmmob) and the critical water saturation (fmdry) using the STARS foam model. The parameter epdry, which regulates the abruptness of the foam dry-out effect, can be estimated by a transient foam experiment in which 100% gas displaces surfactant solution at 100% water saturation. Micromodel experiments allow for pore-level visualization of foam transport. We have developed model porous media systems using polydimethylsiloxane. We developed a simple method to tune and pattern the wettability of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) to generate porous media models with specific structure and wettability. The effect of wettability on flow patterns is observed in gas-liquid flow. The use of foam to divert flow from high permeable to low permeable regions is demonstrated in a heterogeneous porous micromodel. Compared with 100% gas injection, surfactant-stabilized foam effectively improves the sweep of the aqueous fluid in both high and low permeability regions of the micromodel. The best performance of foam on fluid diversion is observed in the lamella-separated foam regime, where the presence of foam can enhance gas saturation in the low permeable region up to 45.1% at the time of gas breakthrough. In conclusion, this thesis provides new findings in surfactant adsorption onto mineral surfaces, in the methodology of estimating foam parameters for reservoir simulation, and in micromodel observations of foam flow through porous media. These findings will be useful to design foam flooding in EOR processes.

Open celled micro and nano foams fabricated from polymers and metals have attracted tremendous attention in the recent past because of their applications in numerous areas such as catalyst carriers, filtration media, ion exchange membranes and tissue engineering scaffolds. In this study open celled polymer micro- and nano foams with controllable pore size and porosity were fabricated via solid state foaming of immiscible blends. The polymer foams were used as templates for fabricating nickel foams using an ethanol based electroless plating process. Thermal conductivity of micro- and nano foams was studied as a function of pore size and porosity using finite element and molecular dynamics based models. The effect of pore size and porosity on performance of phase change material infiltrated metal foams for thermal management was investigated via numerical models. Open celled micro foams were fabricated via solid state foaming of ethylene acrylic acid (EAA) and polystyrene (PS) co-continuous blends. Blending temperature was the main parameters affecting the formation of co-continuous structure. Gas saturation and foaming studies were performed to determine ideal processing conditions for the blend. The results indicated that saturation pressure and foaming temperature were major process parameters determining the porosity of the foamed samples. Open celled polymer templates were obtained by selective extraction of PS phase using dichloromethane (DCM). Foaming resulted in faster extraction of PS and also in a higher porosity. Open celled nano foams were fabricated via solid state foaming of polyetherimide (PEI) and polyethersulfone (PES). The effect of process parameters namely saturation pressure and temperature, desorption time, and foaming temperature and time on porosity and pore size was studied. A high gas concentration and foaming temperature were required to obtain nano pore-sized foams. Throughout the cross section there existed regions with varying pore size and porosity and solid skins at the surface regions of the foam. A solvent surface dissolution process using dimethylformamide (DMF) was employed to access the internal porous structure. Micro- and nano cellular nickel foams were fabricated from EAA and PES templates via electroless plating. The structure of the nickel foams was an inverse of the polymer templates. Ethanol based electroless plating solutions were used to ensure infiltration into the porous structure because of the small pore sizes. Finite element and molecular dynamics based models were developed to predict thermal conductivity of polymer foams as a function of pore size and porosity. Pore sizes ranging from 1 nm to 1 mm were studied. Models were partially validated using experimental data. The results showed that pore size has significant effect on thermal conductivity even for microcellular and conventional foams. When the pore size is reduced to the nanometer scale, the thermal conductivity of the nano foam dramatically reduces and the value could be lower than that of air for certain porosity levels. The extremely low thermal conductivity of polymer nanofoams is possibly due to increased phonon-phonon scattering in the solid phases of the polymer matrix in addition to low thermal conductivity of gas trapped in nano sized pores. Finite element based models were also developed to study the effect of pore size and porosity on performance of phase change material infiltrated metal foams for thermal management applications. The results showed that foams with smaller pore sizes can delay the temperature rise of the heat source for an extended period of time by rapidly dissipating heat in the phase change material. The lower temperatures resulting from the use of a smaller pore size metal foam could significantly increase the lifetime of IC chips. / text

Made available in DSpace on 2014-12-17T15:01:23Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 SuzianiCMD_DISSERT.pdf: 1628830 bytes, checksum: 0dae9562578f76707994b6859cfb7472 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010-10-15 / Coordena??o de Aperfei?oamento de Pessoal de N?vel Superior / This study aimed to investigate the foam mat drying process of pineapple and mango pulp, as well as to evaluate the final product quality. Initially, the selection of fruit and additives was conducted based on density and stability determinations of mango, seriguela, umbu and pineapple foams. After selecting pineapple and mango for further studies, the fruit pulps and fruit foams were characterized in regard to their physicochemical composition. The temperature (60oC or 70oC) and the foam thickness (4 and 11 mm) were evaluated in accordance to the obtained drying curves and after model adjustment. Mango and pineapple powders obtained at the best process conditions were characterized in regard to their physicochemical composition, solubility, reconstitution time. Yoghurts were prepared with the addition of pineapple and mango powders and they were evaluated for their sensory acceptance. Results show that the best drying rates were achieved by using 70o C and layers 4mm thick for both fruits. The Page model successfully fitted the drying experimental data and it can be used as a predictive model. Pineapple and mango powders showed acid pH, high soluble solids content, low water activity (approx. 0.25), lipids between 1.46% and 2.03%, protein around 2.00%, and ascorbic acid content of 17,73 mg/100g and 14.32 mg/100g, for mango and pineapple, respectively. It was observed higher ascorbic acid retention for pineapple and mango powders processed at 70o C, which would be explained by the lower drying time applied. The fruit powders exhibited high solubility and fast reconstitution in water. The sensory acceptance indexes for yoghurts with the addition of both fruit powders were higher than 70%, which reflect the satisfactory product acceptance / O presente trabalho teve como objetivo estudar o processo de secagem das polpas de abacaxi e manga atrav?s do processo foam-mat, avaliando-se a qualidade do produto final obtido. Inicialmente foi realizado a sele??o das frutas e dos aditivos a serem empregados a partir da determina??o da densidade e estabilidade das espumas preparadas com polpas de manga, seriguela, umbu, e abacaxi . Definidas as frutas, manga e abacaxi os aditivos, Liga Neutra Artesanal e Emulsificante e a formula??o, tanto as polpas como as espumas foram caracterizadas quanto a composi??o f?sico-qu?mica. Estudou-se o efeito da temperatura (60 e 70?C) e espessura da camada de espuma (4 e 11 mm) sobre a secagem , avaliando-se o comportamento das curvas de secagem e ajustando-se modelos da literatura ao dados experimentais. Para os p?s de manga e abacaxi obtidos nas melhores condi??es de processo foi realizada a caracteriza??o f?sico qu?mica, a determina??o da solubilidade e tempo de reconstitui??o e a an?lise sensorial de iogurtes saborizados com os mesmos. Conforme os resultados as condi??es que favoreceram as melhores taxas de secagem foi a temperatura de 70?C e espessura da camada de espuma de 4 mm para ambas as frutas. O modelo de Page se ajustou de forma bastante satisfat?ria aos dados experimentais das curvas de secagem podendo ser utilizado para fins preditivos. Os p?s de manga e abacaxi processados na temperatura de 70?C apresentaram pH ?cido, s?lidos sol?veis elevados, baixa atividade de ?gua (0,25 em m?dia), teor de lip?dios entre 1,46% e 2,03% e prote?na em torno de 2%,.al?m de teor de vitamina C de 17,73 mg/100g para manga e 14,32 mg/100g para abacaxi. Avaliando-se o impacto da temperatura sobre a a vitamina C, observou-se que os p?s de abacaxi e manga desidratados a 70? C apresentaram maior reten??o de ?cido asc?rbico devido ao menor tempo de exposi??o das espumas ao calor. Os produtos em p? apresentaram elevada solubilidade e r?pida reconstitui??o em ?gua. A avalia??o sensorial dos iogurtes saborizados apresentaram ?ndices de aceita??o de todos os quesitos avaliados superiores a 70% demonstrando a boa aceita??o do produto

Foam fractionation is an economical and environmentally friendly separation method for surface active material using a rising column of foam. The system of foam fractionation column with reflux is selected since such a system can improve the enrichment of the product collected from the top of the column. Due to the reflux, it is assumed that there is more surface active material (surfactant and/or protein) in the Plateau border than that in the foam lamella, so that the Plateau border acts as a surfactant/protein reservoir. The aim of this thesis is to investigate the adsorption and transport of surface active material such as surfactant and/or protein onto the surface of a lamella in a foam fractionation column with reflux using mathematical simulation. There are two steps involved in adsorption of surface active material onto a bubble surface within foam, which are diffusion from the bulk solution into the subsurface, a layer next to the interface, followed by adsorption of that material from the subsurface onto the interface. The diffusion follows the Fick's second law, while the adsorption may follow the Henry, Langmuir or Frumkin isotherms, depending on the properties of the surface active material. The adsorption of mixed protein-surfactant follows the Frumkin isotherm. When there is a competition between protein and surfactant, the protein arrives onto the interface at a later time due to a slower diffusion rate and it displaces the surfactant molecules already on the surface since protein has a higher affinity for that surface than surfactant. The surfactant transport from a Plateau border onto a foam lamella is determined by the interaction of forces applied on the lamella surface, such as film drainage, due to the pressure gradient between the lamella and the Plateau border, the Marangoni effect, due to the gradient of surface tension, and surface viscosity, as a reaction to surface motion. In this thesis, there are two different models of film drainage. One approach uses assumption of a film with a mobile interface and the other model assumes a film with a rigid interface. In the absence of surface viscosity, the Marangoni effect dominates the film drainage resulting in accumulation of surfactant on the surface of the foam lamella in the case of a lamella with a rigid interface. In the case of a film with a mobile interface, the film drainage dominates the Marangoni effect and surfactant is washed away from the surface of the lamella. When the drainage is very fast, such as that which is achieved by a film with a mobile interface, the film could be predicted to attain the thickness of a common black film, well within the residence time in a foam fractionation column, at which point the film stops draining and surfactant starts to accumulate on the lamella surface. The desirable condition in operation of a foam fractionation column however is when the Marangoni effect dominates the film drainage and surfactant accumulates on the surface of a foam lamella such as the one achieved by a film with a rigid interface. In the presence of surface viscosity and the absence of film drainage, the surface viscous forces oppose the Marangoni effect and reduce the amount of surfactant transport onto the foam lamella. A larger surface viscosity results in less surfactant transport onto the foam lamella. In addition, the characteristic time scale required for surfactant transport is shorter with a shorter film length.