Drop formation and rupture in shearing during processing of highly concentrated emulsions

Abstract

The purpose of emulsification process is to create numerous small droplets from a large and homogenous oil phase. The emulsion used for this study is new thermodynamically unstable multi-component water-in-oil (w/o) explosive type with an internal phase ratio of approximately 94% (wt), i.e. far beyond the close packing limit of spherical droplets of 74%. However, little work has been done for this system, pertaining to the literature explaining what physical phenomena plays a major role in the process of drop formation during highly concentrated emulsion (HGE) manufacturing. This thesis is devoted to develop an understanding of what parameters control drop formation and rupture during processing of highly concentrated emulsions. The material used for the study consisted of three Pibsa derivatives (MEA, IMIDE and UREA), one mixture (MEA/SMO, 10:1) and SMO. Two concentrations were used namely 8% and 14% and the two fuel phase material were Mosspar-H and Shell sol. The Pibsa IMIDE was carried out in both oil phases. To carry out the study, the Hobart N50 mixer coupled with a power and harmonic analyser to record power as a function of time was used to manufacture all samples for the study.