Simultaneous Emulsification and Mixing

Abstract

Das Hochdruckhomogenisieren ist heute eine weitverbreitete Technik in der chemischen, kosmetischen oder pharmazeutischen, aber auch der Erdöl‐ und Lebensmittelindustrie. Allerdings ist diese Technik immer noch wenig verstanden. Die Folgen sind schwer steuerbare Produktqualitäten und ein unnötig hoher Energieverbrauch. Die neu entwickelte simultane Emulgier‐ und Mischtechnik (SEM‐Technik) wird vorgestellt. Mit ihr ist es möglich, ein besseres Verständnis der einzelnen Teilvorgänge beim Hochdruckhomogenisieren, wie dem Zerkleinern und dem Stabilisieren, zu gewinnen und so den Prozess zu optimieren. Dies ermöglicht die Entwicklung neuer Prozesse und Produkte und Energieersparnisse von bis zu 90 %.

Extending Applications of High-Pressure Homogenization by Using Simultaneous Emulsification and Mixing (SEM)—An Overview

“…In theory, ideal mixing occurs when all starting materials are equally distributed instantly. In reality, however, this rarely occurs, so that either the time needed for complete mixing (mixing time) or the degree of mixing after a certain time (mixing quality) is used for characterization of the mixing quality [18].…”

“…The SEM disruption unit however combines a simple homogenization orifice and a micromixer [4]. Two streams enter the SEM disruption unit (Figure 3): one stream which creates a turbulent jet and an additional mixing stream [18]. The first one, passing the valve or orifice, is often called the 'homogenization stream' as it is responsible for setting up flow conditions responsible for droplet or filament breakup.…”

“…The basic idea of the 'Simultaneous Emulsification and Mixing' process is to combine the unit operations mixing and emulsification in order to create synergies between them [18]. It should be noted that the SEM process is also named 'High Pressure Post Feeding' (HPPF) process in some publications [13,54,55].…”

“…The desired synergies between emulsification and mixing can only be achieved when the mixing stream is induced shortly after the disruptive unit where the disruptive flow conditions are fully built up [4,17,56,57]. The emulsion morphology produced by SEM can be influenced by geometrical parameters as well as process and material parameters [4,18,56,57]. According to Köhler [18], the SEM process can be operated in seven different operational modes (Figure 4).…”

“…This process is based on a modified disruption unit which combines the unit operations mixing and emulsification by inserting a micromixer shortly after the disruption unit [4,18,19].…”