A SIMULATION OF EMULSIFICATION BY TURBULENT STIRRING

We present a simulation of the formation of moderately concentrated oi l-in-water emulsions generated by turbulent stirring using an ionic su rfactant as emulsifier. The simulation is based on a stochastic model in which the mass transfer between the droplets is induced by breakups and coalescences until statistical equilibrium is established. Breaku ps and coalescences are controlled by probability functions in which t he influence of the emulsifier is introduced through efficiency factor s. These factors account for the competition between the main conflict ing forces acting on the droplets during turbulent stirring. The model has only two adjustable parameters. With a single pair of values, the droplet distribution can be predicted for a variety of emulsification conditions. In this paper, it is shown that the minimum amount of emu lsifier required to produce the finest droplet size distributions of v arious emulsions can also be successfully predicted.