No abstract

Power ultrasound is one means among others of mechanically producing emulsions. In spite of numerous publications on the basic principles of this technique, there is insufficient knowledge of continuous ultrasound emulsification processes and the main parameters of practical relevance. A comparison of this system with other continuous mechanical emulsifying devices is made. The effect of continuous phase viscosity on droplet disruption due to ultrasound is the subject of a more detailed investigation. Continuous phase viscosity is varied by means of water soluble stabilizers (o/w systems) and different oils (w/o systems). At constant energy density, droplet size decreases when adding stabilizers, whereas the viscosity of the oil in w/o emulsions has no effect. Qualitative investigations of the local distribution of cavitation have shown very small penetration depths of cavitation into the liquid. This emphasizes the need for improvement of apparatus design to optimize the emulsification process.

No abstract

Ultrasound is one means among others of producing emulsions mechanically. Droplet disruption in sonicated liquid-liquid systems is considered to be controlled by cavitation. Both hydrostatic pressure and gas content of the liquids influence the probability and intensity of cavitation. Continuous ultrasound emulsification experiments were carried out to elucidate the effect of these parameters on the result of droplet disruption. Maximum energy density in the apparatus decreases with increasing hydrostatic pressure, probably due to partial suppression of cavitation which is the main mechanism of power dissipation. At constant energy density there is no significant influence of hydrostatic pressure on the emulsification result, however. Corresponding results were obtained for the influence of the gas content. Gas saturation or partial degassing prior to emulsification lead to a shift in maximum energy density. But, again, at constant energy density no clear effect on the droplet size of the emulsion is observed.

No abstract