In this study, the macro-structure of quartz flocs was assessed from X-ray computed tomography images. An image segmentation workflow was established to identify the floc sub-units that comprised each macro-floc, which permitted the macro-structure to be defined in terms of the number, size, and connectivity of the sub-units. A simplified structural model of non-penetrating spheres was used to understand the scaling relationships of the macro-floc properties. It was found that although sub-unit size varied widely, there was a limiting volume (2.8 × 10⁶μm³), above which floc growth occurs only by sub-unit aggregation. This approach permits the quantification of macro-floc structure and composition in 3D on the scale of tens of μm to the mm scale. Knowledge of macro-floc structure allows a deeper understanding of the role of macro-floc breakage and re-arrangement in subsequent dewatering treatments such as thickening or filtration.

在这项研究中，石英絮状物的宏观结构是通过 X 射线计算机断层扫描图像评估的。建立了图像分割工作流程来识别包含每个宏观絮状物的絮状物子单元，这允许根据子单元的数量、大小和连接性来定义宏观结构。非穿透球体的简化结构模型用于理解宏观絮凝物特性的缩放关系。发现虽然亚单位尺寸变化很大，但存在一个限制体积（2.8 × 10 ⁶ μm ³)，高于此值的絮凝体生长仅通过亚单位聚集发生。这种方法允许在几十微米到毫米尺度的 3D 中量化宏观絮凝体的结构和组成。了解大絮凝体结构可以更深入地了解大絮凝体破碎和重新排列在后续脱水处理（如增稠或过滤）中的作用。