Effects of low-amplitude forced oscillation on the rate of mass transfer to circulating liquid droplets

Scott, Timothy C.

doi:10.1021/ie00012a016

Cited by 2 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 24 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…An alternative approach to mechanical emulsification is the use of electric forces. − The electric-field-assisted emulsification is reported to be more efficient and economical than conventional mechanically agitated systems, especially when the suspending phase is poorly conducting and highly viscous. In such systems, the energy required per unit volume of the dispersed phase to create an emulsion by application of electric field can be less by 2 orders of magnitude compared to that of mechanically agitated systems. , Apart from efficient formation of emulsions, the droplets undergo oscillations, in pulsed electric fields, that greatly enhance mass transfer. − Electrostatic methods for production of ultrafine powders, printing, paint spraying, and crop spraying are important applications that have been developed over the years . Emulsion phase contactor for liquid–liquid extraction and dispersion reactors for multiphase reactive systems − are other applications of electric field-assisted emulsification in chemical processing.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Electroemulsification in a Uniform Electric Field

2015

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Emulsification using electric fields is an easy alternative to flow-induced drop breakup, and the former is reported to be more effective and economical than the latter, especially when the medium phase is poorly conducting and highly viscous. The emulsification of a coarse water-in-oil emulsion in a uniform electric field is studied. We perform a detailed experimental analysis of the effect of applied electric field strength and the duration of applied electric field on the drop size distribution. The average diameter as well as the time for emulsification decreases with an increase in the intensity of the electric field. Moreover, a narrow size distribution is observed. An average size of a few microns of the dispersed phase could be achieved. New breakup mechanisms at play in the emulsification process are discussed. Identified mechanisms involve charged lobe disintegration, charged drop breakup, chain formation in which several water droplets are interconnected by thin water bridges, electrospraying and charge transfer, and coalescence. The study shows that charged drop disintegration could be the key mechanism of fine emulsification of an initially electrically neutral coarse emulsion.

show abstract