Novel insight into the miniemulsification process: CFD applied to ultrasonication

Abstract

Miniemulsion and miniemulsion polymerization are experiencing a recent revival. However, in spite of the multitude of publications on miniemulsion, some fundamental aspects still remain unclear, like the influence on miniemulsion characteristics by a given emulsification device. In this work, Computational Fluid Dynamics, CFD, was used to further elucidate the miniemulsification process during sonication. The flow pattern given by CFD was used as input for the model of the evolution of droplet size distribution. The effect of the intensity of the ultrasound device, the effect of agitation, as well as the effect of the geometry of the system on the miniemulsion final droplet size distribution were analyzed.

Acknowledgements. The financial support from CICYT (PPQ2000–1185) and the University of the Basque Country is gratefully appreciated. M. do Amaral and A. Arevalillo acknowledge the fellowships from UCB Chemicals and the Basque Government, respectively.