The effect of hydrodynamic parameters on the production of Pickering emulsions in a baffled stirred tank

Abdulrasaq U. K., Ayranci İ.

AICHE JOURNAL, vol.65, 2019 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 65
  • Publication Date: 2019
  • Doi Number: 10.1002/aic.16691
  • Journal Name: AICHE JOURNAL
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Keywords: droplet size, emulsification, liquid-liquid mixing, Pickering emulsions, power per mass, stirred tank, DROP SIZE DISTRIBUTION, IMPELLER TYPE, FLOW, DISPERSION, PARTICLES, VISCOSITY, BREAKUP, COALESCENCE, STABILITY, TURBULENT
  • Middle East Technical University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Pickering emulsions are potential industrial scale alternatives to surfactant-based emulsions. The stability of Pickering emulsions depends on the physicochemical nature of the liquid-particle interface and the hydrodynamic conditions of the production process. This article investigates the effect of hydrodynamic conditions on the drop size of concentrated Pickering emulsions in baffled stirred tanks. Oil in water emulsions composed of silicon oil, water, and hydrophilic glass beads as stabilizing particles were produced. Two impellers were used at different sizes: Rushton turbine (RT) and pitched blade turbine. The effects of power per mass, Reynolds number, tip speed, and Weber number on the droplet sizes were studied. The energy dissipated around the impeller and the size of the impeller high shear zone were found to be critical to the emulsion droplet sizes. The breakup and droplet-particle contact mechanism of the RT was found to be more favorable for the production of the Pickering emulsions.