Evolution of the emulsification kinetics and rheological properties of oil-in-water emulsions prepared with two different impellers

Abstract

This paper deals with the emulsification kinetics, rheological properties and droplet size distribution of oil-in-water emulsions, stabilised by non-ionic surfactant, using two different impellers, an anchor and a helical ribbon impeller. The geometric differences found between the impellers used produce a different flow pattern, that influences on the kinetics of emulsification, and so, on the droplet size distribution (DSD) and the rheological properties of the final emulsion. There are significant differences on DSD when the emulsion is processed with different impellers at low agitation speed. The mechanical spectrum of these emulsions can be explained taking into account their DSD. However, at higher agitation speeds, the mechanical spectrum can not be explained on basis their DSD.

Keywords

• agitation speed
• emulsion
• impeller
• kinetics
• rheology