Emulsification Processes

In general, emulsions can be found in process technology of the chemical, cosmetic, or food processing industry. In industrial processes emulsions occur as intermediate products within a manufacturing process as well as in formulated products. To obtain the desired product characteristics, emulsions are processed with different methods, e.g. batchwise with rotor-stator systems as well as stirred vessels and continuously using static mixers or homogenizers.

For the production of emulsions micro structured devices are applied as mixers as well as homogenizers depending on physical properties of raw materials, desired product properties of the emulsion and process characteristics. Micro structured devices open up new possibilities in parameter variation in emulsion processing, resulting in improved product properties and accompanying energy savings [Köhler 2007].