Scale-up of nanoemulsion produced by emulsification and solvent diffusion

Area of Science:

• Colloid and Surface Science
• Materials Engineering
• Chemical Engineering

Background:

• Nanoemulsions (NEs) are crucial in various industries, but their scale-up presents challenges.
• The emulsification and solvent diffusion process offers a method for NE production.
• Controlling NE droplet size is vital for their application efficacy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To achieve successful scale-up of nanoemulsions (NEs) using the emulsification and solvent diffusion method.
• To investigate the modulation of NE droplet size by altering process parameters.
• To establish novel power-law relationships governing NE formation.

Main Methods:

• Production of up to 1500 mL of NEs using various oils (olive, castor, almond, Arlamol™ E) and a Y-shaped mixer.
• Systematic variation of process parameters: Y-mixer internal diameter, flow rates of organic and aqueous phases, and experimental temperature.
• Analysis of NE droplet diameters (d(sc)) in relation to Reynolds number (Re) and shear rate (γ̇).

Main Results:

• NE droplet sizes were significantly reduced from 290 to 185 nm by optimizing process parameters.
• Decreasing mixer diameter, increasing flow rates, and raising temperature led to smaller NE droplet sizes.
• Novel power-law relationships were identified between NE diameter and turbulence metrics (Re and γ̇).

Conclusions:

• The scale-up of NE production via emulsification and solvent diffusion is feasible using a Y-shaped mixer.
• Process parameters, particularly turbulence, critically influence NE droplet size.
• The established power-law relationships offer new insights into NE formation dynamics.