Stabilized Water-in-Oil Emulsions via Droplet Size Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for forming water-in-oil emulsions with light fuel oils result in unstable emulsions that separate over time, making them unsuitable for long-term storage and large-scale production, especially when no emulsifying additives are used, and existing solutions are ineffective for light oils with low viscosity.
Innovation Solution
Reducing the particle size distribution and mean size of water particles in the emulsion to 200 nm or less, either with or without emulsifying additives, using a process that includes primary mixing and particle size reduction through atomization or a 2-stage homogenizer, to create a stable water-in-oil emulsion of light fuel oils.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional emulsification processes are used with light fuel oils, then emulsion can be formed quickly, but the emulsion stability deteriorates rapidly with separation occurring within days
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the critical parameter of water droplet size from conventional ranges to specifically 0.5 micron or smaller, and optimizes the water content to 10-30% by volume. This parameter transformation fundamentally alters the emulsion stability characteristics, allowing light fuel oil emulsions to maintain stability for months rather than days without requiring excessive additives.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by creating a specific structural characteristic within the emulsion - water droplets with uniform 0.5 micron size distribution dispersed throughout the light fuel oil. This localized control of droplet size and concentration creates regions of enhanced stability that prevent phase separation while maintaining the overall emulsion structure.
2Stability of the object's composition
If emulsifying additives are added to improve stability, then emulsion stability improves, but the complexity of the formulation increases and may create unwanted side effects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the emulsion system to stabilize itself through physical parameters rather than chemical additives. By controlling water droplet size to 0.5 micron and water content to 10-30% by volume, the emulsion achieves inherent stability through reduced interfacial area and optimized phase distribution, eliminating the need for external emulsifying agents and their associated complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the emulsifying additives from the formulation entirely, relying instead on the physical parameters of droplet size and phase ratio to maintain stability. This removal of chemical additives simplifies the formulation while achieving the desired emulsion stability through purely physical control mechanisms.
3Stability of the object's composition
If water droplet size is reduced to 0.5 micron or smaller, then emulsion stability improves dramatically, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-establishing the water droplet size at 0.5 micron or smaller during the emulsification process itself, rather than attempting to achieve this precision through post-processing. The emulsification step is designed to directly produce the required droplet size distribution, and the subsequent mixing maintains this precision without requiring additional refinement steps.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The process achieves stable emulsions that can be stored for several months to a year, significantly improving the stability and shelf life of light fuel oil emulsions, even without additives, and allows for continuous in-line production, enhancing their usability in various applications.
Implementation Method 1
the particle size of the water particles in said emulsion are reduced in a particle size reducing step in order to stabilize said emulsion
Implementation Method 2
particle size reduction through atomization or a 2-stage homogenizer
Data Source
AI summary
A water-in-oil emulsion of light fuel oil, and a process for the stabilization of a water-in-oil emulsion of a light fuel oil are described.