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Sizing of emulsion droplets under flow using flow-compensating NMR-PFG techniques
1Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Cambridge, Pembroke Street, Cambridge CB2 3RA, United Kingdom. mlj21@cheng.cam.ac.uk
Journal of Magnetic Resonance (San Diego, Calif. : 1997)
|February 1, 2002
Summary
Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) pulsed field gradient (PFG) techniques can now measure emulsion droplet size in flowing systems. This allows quantification of how flow and velocity shear affect droplet size distribution in emulsions.
Area of Science:
- Physical Chemistry
- Colloid Science
- Fluid Dynamics
Background:
- Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) pulsed field gradient (PFG) is a powerful technique for determining droplet size distribution in emulsions.
- Characterizing emulsions under dynamic flow conditions presents significant challenges for traditional methods.
Purpose of the Study:
- To extend the NMR-PFG technique for droplet size analysis in flowing emulsions.
- To quantify the impact of velocity shear on oil-in-water emulsion droplet size distribution.
Main Methods:
- Development and application of a flow-compensating NMR-PFG technique.
- Measurement of oil droplet-size distribution in an oil-in-water emulsion flowing through a narrow tube.
- Comparison of droplet size distribution under flowing versus non-flowing conditions.
Main Results:
- Successfully adapted NMR-PFG to analyze droplet size in flowing emulsions.
- Quantified the changes in oil droplet-size distribution due to flow and velocity shear.
- Demonstrated the technique's efficacy at various flow rates.
Conclusions:
- The flow-compensating NMR-PFG technique is effective for characterizing flowing emulsions.
- Velocity shear significantly influences the droplet size distribution of oil-in-water emulsions.
- This method provides crucial insights into emulsion behavior under dynamic conditions.