EP1108463A1

EP1108463A1 - Emulsifying method and device for realising the same

Info

Publication number: EP1108463A1
Application number: EP98920744A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Nikolai Ivanovich Selivanov
Original assignee: Advanced Molecular Technologies LLC
Current assignee: Advanced Molecular Technologies LLC
Priority date: 1998-01-13
Filing date: 1998-01-13
Publication date: 2001-06-20
Also published as: WO1999036164A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to an emulsifying method and to an emulsifying device in which liquids are processed together by applying a mechanical action. The liquids to be processed are fed into the chamber (1) of a rotating working wheel (2) that comprises a plurality of vanes. The liquid mixture is then removed from the working wheel chamber through a series of outlet openings (8) formed in said wheel and further supplied into an annular chamber (5) located between the annular peripheral wall (20) of the working wheel and the opposite coaxial wall (21) of a stator (4). The emulsion is then discharged from the annular chamber towards the outlet opening of the stator either directly or through a series of draining openings (11) which can be formed in the coaxial opposite wall (21) of said stator. The method also comprises complying to the preferred following empirical relations: R = 1,1614 K (mm), ΔR = 1,1614 C (mm) and n - 3,8396 K^-1,5 x 10⁶ (rev./min.), wherein R is the radius of the peripheral surface of the working wheel. ΔR is the radial dimension of the annular chamber, n is the rotation speed of the working wheel, K is the number of outlet openings in the working wheel and C is an integer ranging from 1 to K/5. This invention provides simple and highly efficient technical means for producing high-dispersion and long-stability emulsions from liquids which cannot dissolve into one another. These emulsions can be used in numerous applications such as in crude-oil extraction, in the conversion of petroleum products, in thermal power-plants, in fuels, in road construction as well as in many other branches of the industry.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to technology of preparation of high-dispersion long-stability emulsion of at least two mutually insoluble fluids, and is directly concerned with the method and device for emulsification of such fluids and, particularly, of hydrocarbon fluids and water, through their joint processing with the help of mechanical action. The field of industrial application of the invention covers mainly oil production, oil refining, heat power, fuel, highway construction and allied branches of industry, as well as any other branches associated with the production and/or utilization of emulsions of similar kind.
From the state of art, and particularly from Inventor's Certificate of the USSR No.986475 of 1983 a mixing device is known for desalination of oil with flushing water before further processing. This device comprises a rotor with a working wheel made as a disc with a peripheral annular wall, wherein a series of slit-like openings is provided for letting out the water-oil mixture. The device comprises also a stator, whose wall, concentric to the working wheel, adjoins the peripheral annular wall of the latter with a minimum clearance and has a series of by-pass openings for passing through the mixture being processed. The stator is provided also with an intake opening for feeding the water-oil mixture being processed into the working wheel cavity and with a discharge opening for discharging the emulsion.
The water-oil mixture flowing interruptedly through the outlet openings of the rotating working wheel and the by-pass openings of the stator undergoes forced mechanical audio frequency oscillations, which contribute to the process of dispersion of the flushing water in oil and correspondingly to desalination of the latter. Such a device features technical simplicity and is characterized by a relatively high throughput, but dispersivity of water in the obtained water-oil emulsion is not high, while stability of the latter to breaking in this case is non-critical and even undesirable, since directly after desalination the water-oil emulsion is subjected to dehydration before subsequent processing.
From Inventor's Certificate of the USSR No.1236287 of 1986 a device is also known for a three-staged preparation of a water-fuel oil emulsion comprising a means for preparation of an initial coarse-dispersion mixture of water and fuel oil by its multiple stirring, a high-pressure pump for pre-emulsification of a water-fuel oil mixture by grinding and a homogenizer for a final emulsification by forcing the emulsion through a capillary grate. Dispersivity of water in fuel oil constitutes several tens of micrometers after pre-emulsification and several micrometers after final emulsification. However, high dispersivity is achieved here by complex technical means at low throughput. Stability of emulsion to breaking in this case is non-critical, since the prepared emulsion is fed directly to the atomizing burner.
From the USA Patent No.4915509 of 1988 a mixer is also known for mixing at least two free-flowing substances comprising a rotor containing a shaft running in bearings and rigidly attached to the shaft at least one working disc with a double series of pins normal thereto equidistant along the circumference, and at least one blade-type working wheel; a stator enclosing said working disc and working wheel, and having at least one wall normal to the rotor axis with a double series of pins normal thereto, concentrically subtending relative to the double series of pins of the working disc, as well as intake openings for feeing the fluids being processed to concentric subtending series of pins of the working disc and stator and a discharge opening for letting out the emulsion communicating with the outlet of the blade-type working wheel; a circular chamber limited in the radial direction by the outer series of pins of the stator and subtending concentric wall thereof and communicating with the inlet of the blade-type working wheel; a means for driving the rotor. In so far as here the working disc precedes the blade-type working wheel in the flow, such a mixer featuring one working disc and one working wheel ensures dispersivity of the obtained emulsion of the order of several tens of micrometers, which is insufficient from the point of view of stability of emulsion to breaking, and with the aim of increasing the dispersivity, it is necessary to increase the number of the working discs and working wheels correspondingly, i.e. to complicate appreciably such a device in the technical sense. With the increased number of the working discs and working wheels hydrodynamic resistance of the system rises correspondingly, which limits appreciably the possibility of increasing of the capacity of such a device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Based on the foregoing, the present invention is aimed at solving the problem of devising such a method and such a device for emulsification by joint processing of mutually insoluble fluids by means of mechanical action, which would make it possible' to obtain high-dispersion long-stability emulsions using simple and highly efficient technical means.
This problem is solved, according to the invention, by that the joint processing of fluids is effected by means of mechanical action thereupon of the process of rotary motion at a definite linear velocity on a definite radius of rotation with superposition of mechanical oscillations of a definite frequency.
For this purpose, in the method of emulsification according to the basic embodiment of the invention are effected: feeding of at least two kinds of fluids to be processed into the cavity of the blade-type working wheel rotating inside the stator; letting out of the mixture of fluids being processed from the cavity of the rotating working wheel into the circular chamber formed by the peripheral surface of the working wheel and subtending coaxial surface of the stator, this procedure being effected through a series of outlet openings equidistant along the peripheral surface of the working wheel; discharging of emulsion from the circular chamber to the discharge opening of the stator; in this case the radius R of the peripheral surface of the working wheel and the frequency of rotation n thereof are preset depending on the selected number K of the outlet openings of the working wheel according to the following empirical relationships: R = (1.05 ... 1.28) K (mm), n = (3.6 ... 4.1) K-1.5 x 10 (r.p.m.).
In selecting the parameters R and n within the ranges above, such a mechanical action is mainly produced onto the fluids being processed that with even one blade-type working wheel employed dispersivity of produced emulsion of the order of 10 micrometers can be attained. This effect of intensive emulsification can be explained, without making any pretence of a comprehensive analysis of the internal physical processes, not only by a conventional mechanical dispersing of the components being processed, but also by some destructive conversion of intra-fluid bonds at molecular level taking place under the initiating influence of mechanical oscillations of a definite frequency and harmonics thereof exerted onto the liquid medium rotating at a definite velocity. Beyond said ranges of parameters R and n the noticed effect, as has been determined experimentally, does not manifest itself with ample definiteness.
In the preferred embodiment of the method of emulsification according to the invention the nominal values of the parameters R and n are preset depending on the parameter K according to the following empirical relationships: R = 1.1614 K (mm), n = 3.8396 K-1.5 x 106 (r.p.m.).
In selecting said nominal values of parameters R and n, determined experimentally,the above effect of emulsification shows up at a still greater extent.
In the most preferred embodiment of the method of emulsification according to the invention the discharge of emulsion from the circular chamber to the stator discharge opening is effected through a series of by-pass openings equidistant on the coaxial surface of the stator, which during rotation of the working wheel become sequentially arranged opposite to the outlet openings thereof.
In this form of the method the effect of emulsification manifests itself at utmost, since in this case the fluids being processed are subjected to a more intensive oscillatory action.
The method of emulsification according to the invention is effected with the help of a device described below, forming an integral part of the inventor's general intention.
A device for emulsification by joint processing of fluids by means of mechanical action effecting the above-described method of emulsification in the basic embodiment comprises a rotor containing a shaft running in bearings and at least one blade-type working wheel attached to the shaft and made as a disc with a peripheral annular wall, wherein a series of outlet openings is made equidistant along the circumference; a stator enclosing the working wheel and having a coaxial wall thereto, an intake opening for feeding the fluids being processed communicating with the working wheel cavity, and a discharge opening for letting out of emulsion; a circular chamber limited in the radial direction by the peripheral annular wall of the working wheel and coaxial wall of the stator and communicating with the stator discharge opening; a means for driving the rotor at a preset number of revolutions; in this case the external radius R of the peripheral annular wall of the working wheel and the radial size ΔR of the circular chamber constitute: R = (1.05 ... 1.28) K (mm), ΔR = (1.05 ... 1.28) B (mm), where
K is the selected number of the working wheel outlet openings,
B is the selected integer in the range of 1 ... K/2.
In the preferred embodiment of the device for emulsification according to the invention the nominal values of sizes R and ΔR constitute: R = 1.1614 K (mm), ΔR = 1.1614 C (mm), where
C is the selected integer in the range of 1 ... K/5.
In the most preferred embodiment of the device for emulsification according to the invention the stator has a cavity for admission of emulsion from the circular chamber communicating with the discharge opening of the stator for letting out of emulsion, said stator cavity communicating with the circular chamber through by-pass openings made in the stator coaxial wall in the plane of arrangement of a series of the working wheel outlet openings and equidistant along the circumference, the number of the stator by-pass openings being 1 ... K.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Below the invention will be described in more detail by examples of practical embodiment thereof with reference to schematic drawings, wherein are particularly presented:

Fig. 1 -: longitudinal section taken on line I - I of a device for emulsification in the basic embodiment (Fig. 3),
Fig. 2 -: cross-section taken on line II - II of a device
Fig. 3 -: partial section taken on line III - III of a device for emulsification in the basic embodiment (Fig. 1),
Fig. 4 -: longitudinal section taken on line IV - IV of a device for emulsification in the most preferred embodiment (Fig. 6),
Fig. 5 -: cross-section taken on line V - V of a device for emulsification in the most preferred embodiment (Fig. 4),
Fig. 6 -: partial section taken on line VI - VI of a device for emulsification in the most preferred embodiment (Fig. 4).

In the basic embodiment of the method of emulsification according to the invention (Fig. 1, 2, 3) the fluids to be processed of at least two kinds are supplied conjointly into a cavity 1 of a blade-type working wheel 2 through an intake opening 3 of a stator 4. In the course of rotation of the working wheel 2 the mixture of the fluids being processed is let out from the cavity 1 thereof into a circular chamber 5 formed by a peripheral surface 6 (Fig. 3) of the working wheel 2 and a subtending coaxial surface 7 (Fig. 3) of the stator 4 through a series of outlet openings 8 equidistant along a peripheral surface 6 of the working wheel 2. Within the limits of the circular chamber 5 the mixture of the fluids being processed continues rotating relative to the central axis 9 according to free-flow laws and undergoes hereat mechanical oscillations induced by the interaction of elementary flows pouring from the outlet openings 8 of the working wheel 2 with the coaxial surface 7 of the stator 4. The processed mixture of fluids is discharged in the form of emulsion from the circular chamber 5 through a discharge opening 10 of the stator 4.
The radius R of the peripheral surface 6 and the frequency of rotation n of the working wheel 2 are set depending on the selected number K of the outlet openings 8 of the working wheel 2 according to the following empirical relation- R = (1.05 ... 1.28) K (mm), n = (3.6 ... 4.1) K-1.5 x 106 (r.p.m.).
In the preferred embodiment of the method for emulsification according to the invention the nominal values of parameters R and n are set depending of the parameter K according to the following empirical relationships: R = 1.1614 K (mm), n = 3.8396 K-1.5 x 106 (r.p.m.).
In the most preferred embodiment of the method of emulsification according to the invention (Fig. 4, 5, 6) emulsion is conveyed from the circular chamber 5 to the discharge opening of the stator 4 through one, several or series of by-pass openings 11 equidistant on the coaxial surface 7 (Fig. 6) of the stator 4. In the course of rotation of the working wheel 2 the by-pass openings 11 become arranged sequentially opposite to the outlet openings thereof, in consequence of which periodical disturbances of the flow are induced in the fluid medium and the corresponding mechanical audio frequency oscillations. Emulsion flowing out of the by-pass openings 11 enters the admission cavity 12 of the stator 4 and is discharged therefrom through the discharge opening 13 of the stator 4.
The device for effecting the above-described method of emulsification in the basic embodiment of the invention (Fig. 1, 2, 3) comprises a rotor 14 with a shaft 15 running in bearings 16 and 17 and provided with a packing 18. The rotor 14 comprises also at least one working wheel 2 rigidly attached to the shaft 15 and made as a disc 19 having a peripheral annular wall 20. A series of openings 8 equidistant along the circumference for discharging the mixture of fluids being processed is made in the peripheral annular wall 20 of the working wheel 2. The stator 4 containing the working wheel 2 has a wall 21 coaxial there to, an intake opening 3 for feeding the fluids to be processed communicating with the cavity 1 of the working wheel 2, and a discharge opening 10 for letting out of emulsion. To ensure a simultaneous separate supply of the fluids being processed, an intake branch 22 with individual inlet branches can be provided. The circular chamber 5 for the admission of the mixture of the fluids being processed is limited in the radial direction by the peripheral annular wall 20 of the working wheel 2 and coaxial wall 21 of the stator 4 and communicates with the discharge opening 10 of the stator 4 for letting out of emulsion. The characteristic geometric dimensions of the device in the basic embodiment constitute: R = (1.05 ... 1.28) K (mm), ΔR = (1.05 ... 1.28) B (mm), where
R is the external radius of the peripheral annular wall 20 of the working wheel 2,
ΔR is the radial size of the circular chamber 5,
K is the selected number of the outlet openings 8 of the working wheel 2 and
B is the selected integer in the range of 1 ... K/2.
In the preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention the nominal values of sizes R and ΔR make up: R = 1.1614 K (mm), ΔR = 1.1614 C (mm), where
C is the selected integer in the range of 1 ... K/5.
In the most preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention (Fig. 4, 5, 6) the stator 4 has a cavity 12 for the admission of emulsion from the circular chamber 5 communicating with the discharge opening 13 for letting out of emulsion. The admission cavity 12 of the stator 4 communicates with the circular chamber 5 through the by-pass openings 11 made in the coaxial wall 21 of the stator 4. The by-pass openings 11 lie in the arrangement plane of the outlet openings 8 of the working wheel 2 and are equidistant on the circumference. The number of the by-pass openings 11 constitutes from 1 to K, the number of these openings exceeding K being inexpedient.
In all embodiments of the device according to the invention the shaft 15 of the rotor 14 is connected, via a coupling 23, to a means of driving the rotor 14 at a preset frequency of rotation n, for example, to an electric motor 24. The drive for the rotor 14 can be effected also from other suitable motors of the known types either directly, or with the use of known reduction gears, including those featuring the possibility of control of frequency of rotation in the known manner.
For solving common practical problems of emulsification, the use of a device having one blade-type working wheel 2 will suffice. But in cases of difficult-to-process initial fluids and/or more stringent requirements placed upon properties of emulsion the rotor 14 can contain two and more working wheels 2, sequentially connected along the fluid flow, fitted on the common shaft 15 in a conventional manner.
The number K of the outlet openings 8 of the working wheel 2 is selected depending on the desired audio frequency F of forced oscillations in the fluid medium with regard to optimim for particular practical cases of overall dimensions of the device and reasonable frequency of rotation n of the rotor 14. The frequency F of audio oscillations is determined by the following empirical relationship: F = 63.993 K-0.5 (kHz).
The selection of the number of by-pass openings 11 of the stator 4 is effected depending on the desired relationship between the required volumetric efficiency of the device for emulsification and optimum properties of the obtained emulsion. The width of the outlet openings 8 of the working wheel 2, measured on the peripheral surface 6 thereof in the circumferential direction, constitutes preferably half of their circumferential pitch. The width of the by-pass openings 11 of the stator 4 measured on the coaxial surface ? of stator 4 in the circumferential direction, irrespective of their number, should not preferably exceed that of the outlet openings 8 of the working wheel 2. An identical shape of the openings 8 and 11, prolate in parallel to the central axis 9, is preferred.
The device for emulsification described above operates as follows:
In the basic embodiment of the device for emulsification according to the invention (Fig. 1, 2, 3) the fluids to be processed are supplied separately and in a proportioned way in the direction of the arrows through an intake branch 22 and intake opening 3 of the stator 4 into the cavity 1 of the rotating working wheel 2. The rotor 14 with the working wheel 2 is driven via the coupling 23 at a rated frequency of rotation n with the help of the electric motor 24. From the cavity 1 of the working wheel 2 the mixture of fluids under pressure flows through a series of the outlet openings 8 and enters the circular chamber 5 of the stator 4. From the circular chamber 5 the obtained emulsion is conveyed through the discharge opening 10 of the stator 4 in the direction shown by the arrow (Fig. 2). The device is serviceable in any position in space.
In the most preferred embodiment (Fig. 4, 5, 6) the device for emulsification operates similarly to that described above, with the exception that the liquid medium being processed flowing from the circular chamber 5 enters the admission cavity 12 of the stator 4 through a series of the by-pass openings 11 made in the coaxial wall 21 of the stator 4. From the admission cavity 12 the obtained emulsion is conveyed through the discharge opening 13 of the stator 4 in the direction shown by the arrow (Fig. 5).
The processing according to the invention can be applied successfully to practically any mutually insoluble and reactive or mutually unreactive natural and artificial fluids, as well as various solutions, emulsions, suspensions, etc in a wide range of viscosity and other physical and chemical properties. One of the components of a liquid mixture being processed can advantageously be a solid substance introduced both in a dry ground form and as a suspension.
The device for emulsification can be conventionally outfitted with a by-pass pipeline having a standard shut-off-and-control member to ensure the possibility of operation using both the open and partly enclosed circulation, i.e. with the closed or partly opened shut-off-and-control member, respectively. In this case the selection of optimum relationship is possible between the volumetric efficiency of the device and the final properties of the emulsion obtained at the outlet.
The method and device for emulsification according to the invention can be used for preparing emulsions with both delayed and immediate utilization in certain technological processes at rational combination with the pumping operation to the utilization site. For example, the device according to the invention for preparing the water-fuel oil emulsion, directly consumed by a boiler unit heater, can be built in into the fuel feed system to atomizing burners. In case of a delayed utilization of the emulsion prepared according to the invention, it can be stored and/or transported for a fairly long term, which can amount to many months at normal temperature, several months at elevated temperature and weeks and months at maximum allowable temperature (99°C or 210°F).

Below are given particular examples (tables 1 ...6) of a practical realization of the method and device for emulsification according to the invention, as applied to the preparation of a water-fuel oil emulsion for heating. Here, the term "emulsion stability" denotes stability of the emulsion to breaking, expressed as a storage term thereof at a definite temperature till an unprovoked isolation of free water from the emulsion in an assumed quantity (10% vol.) from the initial content thereof.

Example of Embodiment of Invention According to Fig.1. Processed fluids: residual fuel oil (90% vol.) and distilled water (10% vol.)
Name	Symbol	Unit	Value
Number of working wheel outlet openings	K	pcs	120
Radius of working wheel peripheral surface	R	mm	140.0
Radial size of circular chamber	ΔR	mm	9.3
Frequency of working wheel rotation	n	r.p.m.	2920
Frequency of mechanical oscillations	F	kHz	5.84
At open circulation:
Throughput	V	l/min	64.0
Dispersivity of water in emulsion	µ	mcm	9 ... 12
Emulsion stability at 24°C (75°F)	T	months	>12
60°C (140°F)			10.0
up to 99°C (210°F)			2.0
At 50% enclosed circulation:
Throughput	V	l/min	32.0
Dispersivity of water in emulsion	µ	mcm	6 ... 9
Emulsion stability at 24°C (75°F)	T	months	>12
60°C (140°F)			12.0
up to 99°C (210°F)			2.5

Example of Embodiment of Invention According to Fig.1. Processed fluids: residual fuel oil (70% vol.) and distilled water (30% vol.)
Name	Symbol	Unit	Value
Number of working wheel outlet openings	K	pcs	120
Radius of working wheel peripheral surface	R	mm	140.0
Radial size of circular chamber	ΔR	mm	9.3
Frequency of working wheel rotation	n	r.p.m.	2920
Frequency of mechanical oscillations	F	kHz	5.84
At open circulation:
Throughput	V	l/min	64.0
Dispersivity of water in emulsion	µ	mcm	9 ... 12
Emulsion stability at 24°C (75°F)	T	months	12.0
60°C (140°F)			8.5
up to 99°C (210°F)			1.0
At 50% enclosed circulation:
Throughput	V	l/min	32.0
Dispersivity of water in emulsion	µ	mcm	6 ... 9
Emulsion stability at 24°C (75°F)	T	months	>12
60°C (140°F)			10.0
up to 99°C (210°F)			2.0

Example of Embodiment of Invention According to Fig.1. Processed fluids: residual fuel oil (50% vol.) and distilled water (50% vol.)
Name	Symbol	Unit	Value
Number of working wheel outlet openings	K	pcs	120
Radius of working wheel peripheral surface	R	mm	140.0
Radial size of circular chamber	ΔR	mm	9.3
Frequency of working wheel rotation	n	r.p.m.	2920
Frequency of mechanical oscillations	F	kHz	5.84
At open circulation:
Throughput	V	l/min	64.0
Dispersivity of water in emulsion	µ	mcm	9 ... 12
Emulsion stability at 24°C (75°F)	T	months	10.0
60°C (140°F)			7.0
up to 99°C (210°F)			0.5
At 50% enclosed circulation:
Throughput	V	l/min	32.0
Dispersivity of water in emulsion	µ	mcm	6 ... 9
Emulsion stability at 24°C (75°F)	T	months	11.0
60°C (140°F)			8.0
up to 99°C (210°F)			1.0

Example of Embodiment of Invention According to Fig.4. Processed fluids: residual fuel oil (90% vol.) and distilled water (10% vol.)
Name	Symbol	Unit	Value
Number of working wheel outlet openings	K	pcs	192
Number of circular chamber by-pass openings	K₁	pcs	128
Radius of working wheel peripheral surface	R	mm	223.0
Radial size of circular chamber	ΔR	mm	41.8
Frequency of working wheel rotation	n	r.p.m.	1440
Frequency of mechanical oscillations	F	kHz	4.62
At open circulation:
Throughput	V	l/min	102.8
Dispersivity of water in emulsion	µ	mcm	3 ... 6
Emulsion stability at 24°C (75°F)	T	months	>12
60°C (140°F)			>12
up to 99°C (210°F)			2.5
At 50% enclosed circulation:
Throughput	V	l/min	51.4
Dispersivity of water in emulsion	µ	mcm	1 ... 3
Emulsion stability at 24°C (75°F)	T	months	>12
60°C (140°F)			>12
up to 99°C (210°F)			3.0

Example of Embodiment of Invention According to Fig.4. Processed fluids: residual fuel oil (70% vol.) and distilled water (30% vol.)
Name	Symbol	Unit	Value
Number of working wheel outlet openings	K	pcs	192
Number of circular chamber by-pass openings	K₁	pcs	128
Radius of working wheel peripheral surface	R	mm	223.0
Radial size of circular chamber	ΔR	mm	41.8
Frequency of working wheel rotation	n	r.p.m.	1440
Frequency of mechanical oscillations	F	kHz	4.62
At open circulation:
Throughput	V	l/min	102.8
Dispersivity of water in emulsion	µ	mcm	3 ... 6
Emulsion stability at 24°C (75°F)	T	months	>12
60°C (140°F)			12.0
up to 99°C (210°F)			1.5
At 50% enclosed circulation:
Throughput	V	l/min	51.4
Dispersivity of water in emulsion	µ	mcm	1 ... 3
Emulsion stability at 24°C (75°F)	T	months	>12
60°C (140°F)			>12
up to 99°C (210°F)			2.5

Example of Embodiment of Invention According to Fig.4. Processed fluids: residual fuel oil (50% vol.) and distilled water (50% vol.)
Name	Symbol	Unit	Value
Number of working wheel outlet openings	K	pcs	192
Number of circular chamber by-pass openings	K₁	pcs	128
Radius of working wheel peripheral surface	R	mm	223.0
Radial size of circular chamber	ΔR	mm	41.8
Frequency of working wheel rotation	n	r.p.m.	1440
Frequency of mechanical oscillations	F	kHz	4.62
At open circulation:
Throughput	V	l/min	102.8
Dispersivity of water in emulsion	µ	mcm	3 ... 9
Emulsion stability at 24°C (75°F)	T	months	12.0
60°C (140°F)			10.0
up to 99°C (210°F)			1.0
At 50% enclosed circulation:
Throughput	V	l/min	51.4
Dispersivity of water in emulsion	µ	mcm	1 ... 6
Emulsion stability at 24°C (75°F)	T	months	>12
60°C (140°F)			9.0
up to 99°C (210°F)			1.5

Claims

A method of emulsification by joint processing of fluids with the help of mechanical action comprising

(1) feeding of at least two kinds of fluids to be processed into a cavity of a blade-type working wheel rotating inside a stator,

(2) letting out of the mixture of fluids being processed from the cavity of the rotating working wheel into a circular chamber formed by a peripheral surface of the working wheel and a subtending coaxial surface of the stator,

(3) said letting out being effected through a series of outlet openings equidistant along said peripheral surface of the working wheel,

(4) discharging of emulsion from said circular chamber to a discharge opening of the stator, in which case

(5) radius R of said peripheral surface of the working wheel is preset depending on the selected number K of said outlet openings of the working wheel according to empirical relationship R = (1.05 ...1.28) K (mm), while

(6) frequency of rotation n of the working wheel is preset depending on said value K according to empirical relationship n = (3.6 ... 4.1) K-1.5 x 106 (r.p.m.).
The method of emulsification according to claim 1, wherein the nominal value of radius R of said peripheral surface of the working wheel is preset depending on the selected number K of said outlet openings of the working wheel according to empirical relationship R = 1.1614 K (mm), while the nominal value of the frequency of rotation n of the working wheel is preset depending on said value K according to empirical relationship n = 3.8396 K-1.5 x 106 (r.p.m.).
The method of emulsification according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein discharging of emulsion from said circular chamber to the discharge opening of the stator is effected through a series of by-pass openings equidistant along said coaxial surface of the stator, which is the course of rotation of the working wheel becomes arranged sequentially opposite to said outlet openings of the working wheel.
A device for emulsification by joint processing of fluids with the help of mechanical action comprising

(1) a rotor containing a shaft running in bearings and at least one blade-type working wheel attached to the shaft and made as a disc with a peripheral annular wall, wherein a series of outlet openings is made equidistant along the circumference,

(2) a stator enclosing said working wheel and having a coaxial wall thereto, an intake opening for feeding fluids being processed communicating with a cavity of the working wheel and a discharge opening for discharging of emulsion,

(3) a circular chamber limited in the radial direction by said peripheral annular wall of the working wheel and said coaxial wall of the stator and communicating with said discharge opening of the stator and

(4) a means for driving the rotor at a preset frequency of rotation,

(5) external radius R of said peripheral annular wall of the working wheel constituting R = (1.05 ... 1.28) K (mm), where

K is the selected number of the outlet openings of the working wheel, while

(6) radial size ΔR of said circular chamber constitutes ΔR = (1.05 ... 1.28) B (mm), where
B is the selected integer in the range of 1 ... K/2.
The device for emulsification according to claim 4, wherein the external radius R of said peripheral annular wall of the working wheel nominally constitutes R = 1.1614 K (mm), where
K is the selected number of outlet openings of the working wheel,
while the radial size ΔR of said circular chamber nominally constitutes ΔR = 1.1614 C (mm), where
C is the selected integer in the range of 1 ... K/5.
The device for emulsification according to claim 4 or claim 5, wherein

(1) said stator has a cavity for admission of emulsion from said circular chamber communicating with the discharge opening of the stator,

(2) said cavity of the stator communicates with said circular chamber through by-pass openings made in said coaxial wall of the stator in the plane of arrangement of a series of said outlet openings of the working wheel and are equidistant along the circumference,

(3) the number of said by-pass openings of the stator being 1 ... K.