INFLUENCE OF PROCESS VARIABLES ON THE MECHANISM OF EMULSIFICATION BY INVERSION

Abstract: Phase inversion of an abnormal emulsion is a low energy process used to produce a fine emulsion with viscous oils. Provided that the formulation conditions are appropriate, the continuous addition of a phase into another under continuous stirring, would result in the formation of a so-called abnormal emulsion which would invert at some point into a normal and stable one. The mechanism of inversion may involve or not the formation of a transient multiple emulsion, an occurrence which is of paramount importance in practice. The present paper reports the influence of process variables such as the addition rate, stirring, and vessel volume, as well as formulation on the type of inversion mechanism