Abstract
The minimum achievable droplet sizes created by a simple in-line Kenics Static Mixer (KSM) under various flow rates and mixing time in oil in water (O/W) emulsion were investigated through turbulent flow system. First, a Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) method is utilized to predict final droplet sizes in different Reynolds number. Then, an experimental setup was used in order to validate CFD results. The droplet size was monitored using Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) technique by means of a Malvern zetasizer machine. Breakup/coalescence of droplets under constant volume fractions of oil was studied when flow rate was varied from 36.7 to 85 ml/s. Results showed that droplet size distribution highly depends on flow rate and mixing time. Droplets break more easily and faster at higher flow rates. The results proved that the obtaining small enough droplets using static mixer in less than 40 minutes at the flow rates above 36.7 ml/s at moderate concentration of oil volume fraction.
Highlights
Over recent years a great deal of attention has been paid to the formation and stability of micro/nano scale emulsions and precise control of droplet size and size distribution [1]
One might theorize that at higher flow rates, more energy is input into the system allowing breaking up large droplets
Droplet breakage using Kenics Static Mixer (KSM) has been simulated by means of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) technique
Summary
Over recent years a great deal of attention has been paid to the formation and stability of micro/nano scale emulsions and precise control of droplet size and size distribution [1]. A CFD code is used to calculate the flow in the KSM and results are validated by means of DLS measurements of a final droplets diameter in a specific time.
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