The correlation of cell disruption with homogenizer valve pressure gradient determined by computational fluid dynamics

doi:10.1016/S0009-2509(96)00354-5

Chemical Engineering Science

Volume 51, Issue 23, December 1996, Pages 5103-5110

https://doi.org/10.1016/S0009-2509(96)00354-5 Get rights and content

Abstract

Numerical investigations of the flow and pressure fields within a homogenizer valve have been conducted using the computational fluid dynamics code, PHOENICS 2.1. Results are obtained for two valve seat designs over a range of valve gaps. The dependence of valve gap on operating pressure is measured experimentally and compares well with numerical predictions. A simple expression that uses the numerical results and allows ready calculation of pressure gradient from homogenizer operating and design conditions is presented. Pressure gradient is shown to be a better independent variable for correlating cell disruption than operating pressure over a wide range of operating and design parameters.

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Citation Excerpt :
A large number of such studies have been presented since the early 1990s. CFD investigations have been carried out on many different valve designs but each study focuses on a single design rather than compare between alternative geometries (Casoli, et al. 2010; Floury et al., 2004; Guan, et al., 2020; Jiang, et al., 2019; Kleinig and Middelberg, 1996; Miller, et al., 2002; Pang and Ngaile, 2021; Stevenson and Chen, 1997). CFD has the advantage of allowing more fundamental insight into how variations in the valve geometry and operating conditions influence the turbulent field generated by the design.
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Chemical Engineering Science

Abstract

References (22)

A physical model of high-pressure disruption of bakers' yeast cells

Chem. Engng Sci.

A study of the cavitation effect in the homogenization of dairy products

J. Dairy Sci.

The cavitation theory of homogenization

J. Dairy Sci.

Mechanism of cell disruption in a high pressure homogenizer

Biotechnol. Bioengng

Further studies on the mechanism of cell disruption by extreme pressure extrusion

Biotechnol. Bioengng

Radial entry flow of a Newtonian fluid

J. Phys. D: Appl. Phys.

A hydrodynamic mechanism for the disintegration of Saccharomyces cerevisiae in an industrial homogenizer

Biotechnol. Bioengng

Disruption of microorganisms in high pressure flow devices

Disruption of Candida utilis cells in high pressure flow devices

Biotechnol. Bioengng

Entrance loss for turbulent flow without swirl between parallel discs

Bull. J.S.M.E.

Disrupton of baker's yeast in a high-pressure homogenizer: New evidence on mechanism

Enzyme Microb. Technol.

Cited by (64)

High pressure homogenization – An update on its usage and understanding

The effect of valve design on the pressure losses in a high-pressure homogenizer – An improved pressure drop correlation for estimating gap height

Towards best practice recommendations for turbulence modelling of high-pressure homogenizer outlet chambers – Numerical validation using DNS data

A hydrodynamic comparisons of two different high-pressure homogenizer valve design principles: A step towards increased efficiency

Numerical simulation analysis and structural optimization design of microspheres prepared by a high-pressure homogenizer

Chemistry of Functional Materials Surfaces and Interfaces: Fundamentals and Applications