Emulsification processes: on-line study by multiple light scattering measurements

The use of ultrasound in various processes of the chemical industry has bee n a subject of research and development for many years. As regards in emuls ification, apart from formulation variables, power is the most important pa rameter. Efficiency of emulsification processes may be followed and evaluat ed by measuring particle size distribution, which mainly governs the kineti c stability of such dispersions. Unfortunately, this kind of measurement mu st be performed at high dilution (low volume fraction of dispersed phase). The present work is devoted to the on-line study of ultrasound emulsificati on by means of a newly developed apparatus based on multiple light scatteri ng, which allows us to determine average droplet diameter and its variation s directly on concentrated media. The model system was an oil (kerosene)-in -water emulsion stabilized by a polyethoxylated sorbitan monostearate. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.