Floating Ceramics vs. Floating Oils: Search for Appropriate Conditions

Abstract

Abstract Ceramic granules fabricated from Quaternary clay at 1200°C were tested for their flotation ability in a water model system containing silicone oil. The presence of oil in the liquid phase improved flotation of granules, probably due to sorption of oil by ceramics. Coating of granules with SiO2 resulted in decreased flotation ability, irrespectively of the presence of oil. Granules were shown to be appropriate for bacterial colonization.