EP2049235B1 - Emulsifying device and process for forming an emulsion - Google Patents

Abstract

An emulsifying device (100) for forming an emulsion (1) having a continuous phase (2) and at least one dispersed phase (3.1, 3.2) includes a dispersion region (10) for forming the emulsion (1), a channel (20) which leads to the dispersion region (10) and is designed to accommodate laminar-flowing liquid filaments of the continuous and dispersed phases (2, 3.1, 3.2), a feed line (30) for feeding the continuous phase (2) into the channel (20), and at least one injection line (40, 41) for supplying the at least one dispersed phase (3.1, 3.2) into the channel (20), wherein the at least one injection line (40, 41) is connected to the channel (20) via a multitude of injection bores (42), and the dispersion region (10) includes a gap opening (11) of the channel (20) which opens into an environment of the emulsifying device (100). A process is also described for forming an emulsion (1) having a continuous phase (2) and at least one dispersed phase (3.1, 3.2).

Description

The invention relates to an emulsifying device for forming an emulsion having a continuous and at least one dispersed phase, in particular an emulsifying device having a channel (or gap) adapted to receive laminar, flowing liquid filaments of the different phases and having a channel widening on which the at least one dispersed phase decomposes into individual drops. The invention further relates to a process for forming an emulsion having a continuous phase and at least one dispersed phase, in particular a process for producing a mixed emulsion having a plurality of dispersed phases. Specifically, the invention relates to an emulsifying device and an emulsifying method having the features of the preambles of the independent claims.

A conventional emulsifier 100 'for forming a continuous phase emulsion and at least one dispersed phase derived from C. Priest et al. in Applied Physics Letters (Vol. 88, 2006, 024106-01 ) is schematically shown in FIG FIG. 11 illustrated. The emulsifying device 100 'comprises a dispersion region 10' which is formed as part of a channel 20 'in the interior of a fluidic microsystem. The channel 20 'is connected to a supply line 30' for supplying the continuous phase 2 'and to a injection line 40' for supplying the dispersed phase 3 '. Bottom and top walls of the channel 20 'have such a small vertical distance that the immiscible liquids of the continuous and dispersed phases in the channel 20' as thin filaments flow side by side. The interface which separates the two liquids extends between the bottom and top walls. The continuous and dispersed phases form a dynamic stable, laminar flow. In the dispersion region 10 ', the channel 20' widens stepwise. An edge 11 'is provided at which the thread-like liquid flows become unstable and disintegrate into individual drops. In the dispersion region 10 ', the dispersed phase 3' is distributed drop-wise in the continuous phase 2 ', so that downstream of the dispersion region 10' the phases 2 ', 3' in the channel 20 'continue to flow as emulsion 1'.

The conventional emulsifying device 100 'according to FIG. 11 has the disadvantage that the dispersion region 10 'with the widening channel 20' is located inside the microsystem. The droplets of the dispersed phase are generated substantially serially. As a result, with the conventional emulsifying device 100 ', only small amounts of emulsion can be produced, which are too low for practical applications, for example in liquid phase processing technology. In order to increase the amount of emulsion, a large number of emulsifying devices 100 'would have to be combined, which, however, represents an unacceptably high expenditure on equipment.

Another general problem of conventional liquid phase process technology is the control of chemical reactions between starting materials which are mixed in the liquid state. In many applications it is undesirable that the reaction between the starting materials begins spontaneously at the beginning of the mixing. Since the mixing process has a certain duration, the mixing ratio of the substances reacting with each other during mixing and the further reaction is not constant. As a result, limitations may occur in the adjustment of a particular reaction stoichiometry or other reaction conditions. This problem is a considerable disadvantage, in particular in the production of high-quality chemical specialty products with a specific chemical composition. For example, in the production of semiconductor nanoparticles from the Liquid phase so far a relatively broad size distribution of the nanoparticles are accepted.

A solution to this problem could be achieved with a mixture of the different liquids, based not on the phenomenon of turbulence, but on a common emulsification. During emulsification, instantaneously a mixed emulsion with a certain mixing ratio can be set, which is then constant for the entire duration of the reaction. As a result, the initially existing phase boundaries in the emulsion can be interrupted by an external influence, such as a microwave field or an electrical voltage, in order to obtain a defined starting time for the start of the reaction of the liquids.

The conventional emulsifier 100 'in addition to the mentioned problem of low emulsion yield additionally has the disadvantage that it is only limited suitable for the preparation of a mixed emulsion. So far, in particular, no way has been published, as with the conventional emulsifier 100 'a mixed emulsion could be produced.

document US-A-2004/228882 discloses an emulsifying apparatus according to the preamble of claim 1 and a method according to the preamble of claim 20.

The invention has for its object to provide an improved emulsifying device, with which the disadvantages of the conventional emulsification techniques are overcome. The invention is further based on the object of providing an improved emulsification process which overcomes the disadvantages of conventional emulsification techniques. The emulsifier and the emulsification process should in particular have a broader field of application and be particularly suitable for the preparation of mixed emulsions.

These objects are achieved by an emulsifying device and a method having the features of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments and applications of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims.

According to a first aspect, the invention is based on the general technical teaching to provide an emulsifier for forming a continuous phase emulsion and at least one dispersed phase having a dispersion area for forming the emulsion by decomposing laminar flows of the continuous and the at least one dispersed phase , wherein a channel for receiving the laminar flows and a plurality of injection bores are provided, through which the at least one dispersed phase is injectable into the channel, and the dispersion region is formed by a gap mouth of the channel, which directly into a free environment of Emulgerereinrichtung opens.

The combination according to the invention of a multiplicity of injection bores opening into the channel with a dispersion region formed by a channel end advantageously provides a compact emulsion source with which an emulsion of practically interesting rates and volumes can be provided directly in a reaction vessel. The injection wells allow numerous liquid filaments to be formed from a single or multiple, e.g. B. two different dispersed phases in the channel are formed simultaneously and flow to the dispersion region. Unlike conventional serial emulsion production, parallel emulsion production is enabled.

According to a second aspect, the invention is based on the general technical teaching of providing an emulsification process in which the continuous phase and the at least one dispersed phase in the form of a multiplicity of laminar liquid filaments flowing from one channel at a split mouth into a free environment escape.

The emulsifying device according to the invention contains a supply line for feeding the continuous phase into the channel. The supply line has, at least adjacent to the channel, a straight direction with which an axial reference direction (z-direction) of the emulsifying device is determined. The output of the emulsion from the emulsifying means may also be parallel to the axial reference direction (first embodiment of the invention) or in a direction other than the axial reference direction, particularly in a plane perpendicular to the axial reference direction, i. H. in a radial reference direction (x-direction) (second embodiment of the invention). The emulsifying device according to the invention further comprises at least one injection line for feeding the dispersed phase into the channel. From each injection line, the dispersed phase is distributed through the injection wells in the channel.

As used herein, the term "channel" or "gap" generally refers to a volume area between the injection wells and the dispersion area bounded by walls having such a small vertical distance that fluids injected through the injection wells form laminar flows. The terms "continuous phase" and "dispersed phase" generally refer to liquids herein. The liquid of the dispersed phase (reactant, eg aqueous solution) is immiscible with the liquid of the continuous phase (carrier liquid, eg an oil). The term "environment of the emulsifying device" refers to an area adjacent to the gap mouth of the channel, in which the emulsion can freely spread in at least two spatial directions.

Advantageously, there is a wide variability in the geometric design of the dispersion region and the orientation of the channel. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the gap mouth has a curved Mouth history, so that advantageously the space density and thus the yield of the emulsion formation can be increased. The dispersion region may extend in the reaction vessel for receiving the emulsion with a curved perpendicular to the axial extent of the emulsifying edge, the length of which is greater than would be the case with a straight course of the mouth. Particularly preferred is an endless gap mouth with a closed mouth course, for example provided with a circular mouth course (annular gap). If the gap mouth of the channel is circular, there may be advantages for adjusting the exit of the emulsion in the axial or radial direction relative to the axial reference direction of the emulsifying device.

In the emulsifying device according to the invention preferably two injection lines for supplying the at least one dispersed phase are provided in the channel, each having a plurality of injection holes. The injection holes open in opposite, z. B. upper and lower side walls in the channel. This simplifies the feeding of a dispersed phase with a high filament density in the channel and / or the separate feeding of different dispersed phases into the channel. The mouths of the injection holes in the channel are distributed transversely to the flow direction in the channel so that from each injection hole a laminar Flüssigkeitsfilament can be formed to the gap mouth of the channel. Advantageously, the at least one dispersed phase is distributed over the channel in the transverse direction thereof with the injection bores.

Particularly preferred is a variant of the invention in which the two injection lines are provided for supplying various dispersed phases in the channel. For this purpose, the injection lines are connected to separate reservoirs of a Fluidikeinrichtung containing the dispersed phases. Advantageously, the emulsifying device can thus be used for mixing the dispersed phases.

According to a further advantageous variant of the invention, the injection bores have funnel-shaped injection openings, via which the injection line (s) is (are) connected to the injection bores. Advantageously, the flow resistance during the supply of the at least one dispersed phase is thus reduced. The funnel-shaped injection openings of adjacent injection bores can be connected by a groove, for example an annular groove. Advantageously, this simplifies the introduction of the at least one dispersed phase into the injection wells.

When the channel is parallel to the axial reference direction of the emulsifier (first embodiment of the invention), the emulsion may advantageously be dispensed into a reaction vessel in a single direction. In the first embodiment of the invention, the injection bores preferably run in the radial direction, that is to say perpendicular to the axial reference direction of the emulsifying device. If, according to a preferred variant, the at least one injection line and the supply line are arranged coaxially relative to one another, advantages for a compact construction of the emulsifying device can result. In this case, the emulsifying device can advantageously have an outer shape of a cylinder, in which the injection line and the supply line extend axially and at the free end (front side) of the dispersion region is formed.

When the channel extending to the dispersion region is aligned in the radial direction, that is, perpendicular to the axial reference direction of the emulsifying device (second embodiment of the invention), advantages may be related by radially discharging the emulsion in different directions result in the emulsifier. Preferably, the channel extends in the radial direction from the supply line to an inner or outer peripheral edge of the emulsifying device. In this case, the injection bores may advantageously be aligned parallel to the axial reference direction of the emulsifying device.

In the second embodiment of the invention, the channel is particularly preferably formed as a planar gap between two plates, which extend in the radial direction, that is perpendicular to the axial reference direction of the emulsifying. Advantageously, the injection bores can be arranged in one or in both of the plates in order to open into the channel correspondingly on one or both sides. For the production of mixed emulsions, the injection bores opening into the channel on both sides are preferably arranged offset relative to one another azimuthally. In this case, various dispersed phases can be alternately introduced side by side into the channel.

Figuren 1 und 2:

schematische Illustrationen von zwei Varianten der ersten Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemäßen Emulgiereinrichtung mit einem sich axial öffnenden Dispersionsbereich;

Figuren 3 und 4:

schematische Illustrationen von zwei Varianten der zweiten Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemäßen Emulgiereinrichtung mit einem sich radial öffnenden Dispersionsbereich;

Figuren 5 und 6:

Illustrationen von weiteren Einzelheiten der ersten Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemäßen Emulgiereinrichtung;

Figuren 7 bis 10:

Illustrationen von weiteren Einzelheiten der zweiten Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemäßen Emulgiereinrichtung; und

Figur 11:

eine schematische Illustration einer herkömmlichen Emulgiereinrichtung.

Further details and advantages of the invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Show it:

FIGS. 1 and 2:

schematic illustrations of two variants of the first embodiment of the emulsifying device according to the invention with an axially opening dispersion region;

FIGS. 3 and 4:

schematic illustrations of two variants of the second embodiment of the emulsifying device according to the invention with a radially opening dispersion region;

FIGS. 5 and 6:

Illustrations of further details of the first embodiment of the emulsifying device according to the invention;

FIGS. 7 to 10:

Illustrations of further details of the second embodiment of the emulsifying device according to the invention; and

FIG. 11:

a schematic illustration of a conventional emulsifying device.

Referring to the FIGS. 1 to 4 First, the geometry and in particular the mutual orientation of the supply line, the injection bores and the channel with the dispersion region in the emulsifying device according to the invention will be described. Details of the liquid transport into the supply line and the injection wells are exemplified in the FIGS. 5 to 10 shown. The described emulsifying device is connected to a fluidic device for supplying liquid and controlling the emulsifying device. Details of the Fluidikeinrichtung (not shown), such as. As liquid reservoirs, feed pumps, lines, valves and the like. Are known per se and are therefore not described here.

FIG. 1 shows the first embodiment of the emulsifying device 100 according to the invention with an inner part 110 and an outer part 120. The inner part 110 has the shape of a straight circular cylinder with an outer diameter which is smaller than the inner diameter of the hollow cylindrical outer part 120. The cylinder axes of the concentrically arranged inner and outer parts 110, 120 form the axial reference direction (z) of the emulsifying device 100.

Between the inner and outer parts 110, 120, the channel 20 (gap 20) is formed, which leads to the dispersion region 10.

The channel 20 is adapted for receiving a hollow cylindrical liquid layer of the continuous and dispersed phases 2, 3, which form liquid liquid filaments on liquid supply, which flow to the dispersion region 10. The distance between the outer diameter of the inner part 110 and the inner diameter of the outer part 120 (radial channel height) is selected such that interfaces between the continuous and dispersed phases 2, 3 extend between the inner and outer parts 110, 120. The radial channel height is selected, for example, in the range of 1 .mu.m to 0.1 mm.

The dispersion region 10 is formed by the mouth of the channel 20 into the surroundings of the emulsifying device 100. Through the cylinder surface of the inner part 110 and the circular inner edge of the outer part 120, the annular gap opening 11 is formed, at which the channel 20 extends stepwise in the radial direction. At the gap mouth 11 are in accordance with that of C. Priest et al. described mechanism, the laminar liquid filaments of the continuous and dispersed phases 2, 3 in the channel 20 are unstable, so that they disintegrate into individual drops. The droplet size is determined essentially by the radial channel height, which is the same for all droplets, so that advantageously a monodisperse droplet size distribution is generated. The droplet size may be further influenced by a filling pressure or a delivery rate of the dispersed phases in the injection lines. The filling pressure and / or the delivery rate of the dispersed phases may be in each injection line z. B. with a feed pump, in particular a syringe pump can be adjusted.

The feeding of the continuous phase 2 into the channel 20 takes place through the feed line 30. The feed line 30, like the channel 20, is formed by the distance between the inner and outer parts 110, 120. Preferably, this distance in the regions of the channel 20 and the supply line 30, so that the channel 20 is substantially a continuation of the supply line 30. Alternatively, the radial channel height in the channel 20 may deviate from the channel height in the supply line, in particular be smaller.

From an outer, the outer part 120 surrounding injection line 40, whose walls in FIG. 1 are not shown, lead radially aligned injection holes 42 to the channel 20 (see also FIG. 5 ). For clarity, only two injection bores 42 are shown. Each injection well 42 extends from an injection port 43 in the outer surface of the outer member 120 to the channel 20.

To prepare an emulsion 1 comprising the continuous phase 2 and the dispersed phase 3, the continuous phase 2 is passed through the supply line 30 into the channel 20. At the same time, the feeding of the dispersed phase 3 through the injection bores 42 likewise takes place in the channel 20. In the channel 20, the flows of the continuous and dispersed phases 2, 3 flow as laminar liquid filaments to the dispersion region 10, at which the drop formation takes place. The flow of the liquid filaments in the gap-shaped channel 20 is an essential feature for the production of monodisperse emulsions. Without the channel 20, the dispersed phase would expire on exiting small holes directly into the free environment even in single drops, but would have a polydisperse size distribution.

The droplets of the dispersed phase 3 flow in the variant according to FIG. 1 in the axial direction and with increasing distance from the gap opening 11 radially outwards, since the inner part 110 continues over the radial length of the outer part 120. Deviating from this geometry, the outer part 120 can continue over the axial end of the inner part 110, as shown schematically in FIG FIG. 2 is illustrated. At the emulsifying device 100 according to FIG. 2 For example, the dispersion region 10, the channel 20, the supply line 30, and the injection wells 42 are as in FIG FIG. 1 arranged, which is limited by the limiting effect of the outer part 120, the exiting through the gap mouth 11 in the environment emulsion 1 radially inwardly.

The FIGS. 3 and 4 show two variants of the second embodiment of the invention, in which the supply line 30 also extends in the axial direction of the emulsifying device 100, the channel 20, however, in contrast to the first embodiment ( FIGS. 1, 2 ) is aligned in the radial direction.

According to FIG. 3 The upper and lower parts 130, 140 are arranged at a distance relative to each other, wherein between the mutually facing, flat side surfaces of the upper and lower parts 130, 140 of the channel 20 is formed. The upper part 130 has the shape of a straight hollow cylinder. Inside the upper part 130, the supply line 30 for supplying the continuous phase 2 into the channel 20 is provided. The injection bores 42 also extend in the axial direction in the upper part 130. They extend parallel to the supply line 30 from the injection openings 43 to the channel 20. For reasons of clarity, only two injection bores 42 are illustrated again.

For the formation of an emulsion 1 according to the invention, the continuous phase 2 is conducted through the supply line 30 into the channel 20. Furthermore, the dispersed phase 3 is conducted from an injection line 40 above the upper part 130 via the injection bores 42 into the channel 20. In the channel 20, the continuous and the dispersed phase 2, 3 radially outwardly flowing laminar Flüssigkeitsfilamente formed at the annular gap mouth 11 of the dispersion region 10 decay into single drops according to the mechanism described above.

FIG. 4 shows a modified variant of the second embodiment of the emulsifying device 100 according to the invention, in which the supply line 30 is formed outside of the upper part 130 and the continuous and dispersed phases 2, 3 in the channel 20 to flow radially inwardly. Accordingly, the emulsion 1 is generated inside the hollow cylindrical shell 130.

When the injection holes 40 of the emulsifying device 100 according to the Figures 1 or 2 can be applied alternately with different dispersed phases, so a mixed emulsion can be generated accordingly. The structure of the emulsifying device 100 for producing the mixed emulsion can be simplified if the different dispersed phases 3 are injected into the channel 20 on both sides. Details of corresponding variants of the first embodiment of the emulsifying device according to the invention are in the FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrated.

According to FIG. 5 For example, the emulsifying device 100 has a concentric construction of the inner and outer parts 110, 120. The outer part 120 comprises a hollow cylinder, in whose wall a first injection line 40 extends. From the first injection line 40, the first dispersed phase 3.1 can be injected into the channel 20 via external injection bores 42. The inner part 110 likewise comprises a hollow cylinder in which a second injection line 41 extends, from which the second dispersed phase 3.2 can be injected into the channel 20 via inner injection bores 42. The injection bores 42 each have funnel-shaped injection openings 43. The channel 20 and the supply line 30 are formed by the distance between the inner and outer parts 110, 120, as described above. In the FIG. 5 shown variant The first embodiment of the invention has the advantage that the mixing emulsion 1 is produced at the front side of the emulsifying device 100 with a high density.

For producing a mixed emulsion 1 with the emulsifying device 100 according to FIG FIG. 5 the continuous phase 2 and the dispersed phases 3.1, 3.2 are introduced into the channel 20. In the channel 20 laminar liquid filaments are formed, wherein the first and second dispersed phases are preferably arranged alternately side by side. Upon exiting the circular gap mouth 11, the dispersed phases decompose according to the mechanism described above into single drops distributed in the continuous phase. The mixing ratio of the dispersed phases 3.1, 3.2 in the continuous phase 2 can be adjusted by the volume flows in the first and second injection lines 40, 41.

Advantageously, by selecting a predetermined ratio of the volume flows, a droplet size ratio can also be set. Depending on the droplet size ratio, the droplets with defined droplet number densities form a specific arrangement in the structure of the emulsion.

A further variant of the first embodiment of the emulsifying device 100 according to the invention is shown in FIG FIG. 6 exemplified. As with the concentric variant according to FIG. 5 The emulsifying device 100 comprises the inner part 110 and the outer part 120, in which the injection lines 41, 40 are arranged. The supply line 30 in the gap between the inner and outer parts 110, 120 is connected via a line connection (not shown) with a reservoir of the continuous phase. The first and second injection lines 40, 41 are respectively connected to reservoirs of the first and second dispersed phases. The injection holes are in the immediate vicinity of the dispersion area 10. The axial length of the channel 20 from the injection holes to the gap mouth can be chosen so small that in the channel 20 just the stable laminar Flüssigkeitsfilamente be formed. The axial length of the channel 20 may be selected, for example, in the range of 10 microns to 1 mm.

The emulsifying device 100 according to FIG. 5 or 6 is manufactured by providing the inner and outer parts 110, 120 by mechanical shaping (for example turning) and providing them with the injection bores 42 and the injection openings 43. The holes can be generated for example by means of spark erosion. Alternatively, available lithography techniques, etching processes, and / or electroplating techniques may be used.

The emulsifying device 100 according to FIG. 6 was tested in practice in which by the first injection line 40 and water through the second injection line 41 an oil-surfactant mixture (mono-olein in tetradecane) were led to the dispersion region 10. Within a few seconds, a volume of about one eighth of a cubic centimeter could be filled with a mixed emulsion of the two dispersed phases. The radial channel height (distance between the inner and outer parts 110, 120) was 50 μm. The diameter of the injection wells was around 100 μm. The droplet size of the dispersed phases was around 200 μm. To produce smaller drop diameters, the injection wells can be provided with a correspondingly reduced diameter.

The FIGS. 7 and 8 show further variants of the second embodiment of the emulsifying device 100 according to the invention for generating a radially outwardly, to a peripheral edge 12 of the emulsifying 100 flowing mixing emulsion (see FIG. 3 ). FIG. 7 shows a schematic sectional view of the intended to produce the mixing emulsion 1 parts of the emulsifying 100. The top and bottom parts 130, 140 include two round plates, the two planar, corresponding to the desired channel height z ₀ spaced side surfaces. FIG. 8 Illustrates the top view of the top 130.

In the middle of the upper and lower parts 130, 140, the supply line 30 for supplying the continuous phase 2 is provided. The injection bores 42 have funnel-shaped injection openings 43, which are connected via an annular groove 44. In contrast to FIG. 3 Injection holes 42 are provided both in the upper part 130 and in the lower part 140. From the two sides of the channel 20, various dispersed phases 3.1, 3.2 are introduced into the channel.

The structure according to the FIGS. 7 and 8 can be realized, for example, with the following dimensions. The upper and lower parts 130, 140 have a diameter of 2 cm. The distance z _{0 of} the upper and lower parts 130, 140 and thus the axial channel height is preferably comparable to the diameter of the injection holes 42 or less than this, for example in the range of 1 .mu.m to 0.1 mm. The number of injection bores 42 in the upper and lower parts 130, 140 is preferably the same size (for example, 240). The hole circle formed by the injection holes 42 has a radius of about 8 mm. On the bolt circle, the injection holes 42 are arranged at a distance which is preferably greater than twice the bore diameter, for example in the range of 5 microns to 0.5 mm, is selected and z. B. at a diameter of 30 microns is about 120 microns. Accordingly, 480 liquid filaments each with a width of about 30 microns can be formed. The width of the liquid filaments grows slightly in the radial direction, because the liquids flow slower due to the growing extent to the outside.

The upper and lower parts 130, 140 are arranged so rotated relative to each other that the injection holes 42 different azimuth angles relative to the radial reference direction of Emulsifier 100 have. Thus, the various dispersed phases can advantageously be arranged side by side in the channel 20.

To prepare a mixed emulsion 1, the continuous phase 2 and the dispersed phases 3.1, 3.2 are introduced into the channel 20. From each liquid entering into the channel 20 through one of the injection bores 42, a liquid filament is formed whose boundary surface is spanned relative to the liquid of the continuous phase 2 between the walls of the channel 20, ie between the upper and lower parts 130, 140. By acting on all of the injection bores 42 with dispersed phases, a ring of liquid filaments is formed in the gap-shaped channel 20 and flows radially and laminarly outwards in the flow of the continuous phase 2. The differently dispersed phases 3.1, 3.2 are arranged azimuthally alternately next to each other. When the liquid filaments flow radially outward through the circular gap mouth 11 of the dispersion region 10, they decompose into single droplets in the free environment.

The second embodiment of the emulsifying device according to the invention can according to the in FIG. 4 are shown in that the liquid filaments flow in the channel 20 radially in the middle, as described in more detail in the FIGS. 9 and 10 is shown. FIG. 9 shows a structure analogous to FIG. 7 with an upper part 130 and a lower part 140, between which the channel 20, the supply line 30 and the injection bores 42 are formed. The continuous phase 2 is transported by the supply line 30 radially inward to the channel 20, where the injection of the dispersed phases 3.1, 3.2 takes place on both sides. The radially inwardly flowing liquid filaments in the channel 20 decay at the gap mouth 11 of the dispersion region 10 into individual drops. The emulsion 1 formed is transported away in the axial direction.

At the in FIG. 10 In the variant of the emulsifying device 100 according to the invention shown, the upper and lower parts 130, 140 for providing the injection bores 40 and the corresponding injection lines 41, 42 are composed of a plurality of structured plates. Between the upper and lower parts 130, 140, an azimuthally interrupted spacer 21 is provided to form the channel 20, through which the continuous phase 2 and the dispersed phases 3.1, 3.2 flow to the channel 20.

The features of the invention disclosed in the foregoing description, drawings and claims may be significant to the realization of the invention in its various forms both individually and in combination.

Claims (27)

1. An emulsifying device (100) for forming an emulsion (1) with a continuous phase (2) and at least one dispersed phase (3, 3.1, 3.2) comprising:

   - a dispersion region (10) for forming the emulsion (1),

   - a channel (20) that is directed to the dispersion region (10) and is arranged for the reception of liquid filaments of the continuous and dispersed phases (2, 3, 3.1, 3.2) flowing in a laminar manner,

   - a feed line (30) for the feeding of the continuous phase (2) into the channel (20), and

   - at least one injection line (40, 41) for feeding the at least one dispersed phase (3, 3.1, 3.2) into the channel (20),

   characterized in that

   - the at least one injection line (40, 41) is connected via a plurality of injection bores (42) to the channel (20), and

   - the dispersion region (10) comprises a gap opening (11) of the channel (20) that opens into an environment of the emulsifying device (100).
2. The emulsifying device according to claim 1, in which the gap opening (11) has a course of the opening that is curved in a plane vertical to an axial reference direction (z) of the emulsifying device (100).
3. The emulsifying device according to claim 2, in which the gap opening (11) has a course of the opening that is represented by a geometrically closed curve.
4. The emulsifying device according to claim 3, in which the gap opening (11) has a circular course of the opening.
5. The emulsifying device according to at least one of the preceding claims, in which two injection lines (40, 41) are provided whose injection bores (42) open into the channel (20) on two opposite sides, respectively.
6. The emulsifying device according to claim 5, in which the injection bores (42) of one of the injection lines (40) are arranged offset relative to the injection bores (42) of the other one of the injection lines (41).
7. The emulsifying device according to at least one of the preceding claims, in which the injection bores (42) comprise funnel-shaped injection openings (43).
8. The emulsifying device according to claim 7, in which the funnel-shaped injection openings (43) are connected by a groove (44).
9. The emulsifying device according to at least one of the preceding claims, in which the channel (20) runs parallel to the axial reference direction (z).
10. The emulsifying device according to claim 9, in which the injection bores (40) run in a plane vertically to the axial reference direction (z).
11. The emulsifying device according to claim 9 or 10, in which the at least one injection line (40, 41) and the feed line (30) are arranged concentrically relative to each other.
12. The emulsifying device according to claim 11, that has the form of a cylinder in which the at least one injection line (40, 41) and the feed line (30) are arranged concentrically relative to each other, wherein the gap opening (11) of the channel (20) is arranged in a front side of the cylinder.
13. The emulsifying device according to at least one of the claims 1 to 10, in which the channel (20) runs in a plane vertically to the axial reference direction (z).
14. The emulsifying device according to claim 13, in which the channel (20) runs radially on all sides from the feed line (30) to a circumferential edge (12) of the emulsifying device.
15. The emulsifying device according to at least one of the claims 13 or 14, in which the injection bores (42) run parallel to the axial reference direction (z) of the emulsifying device.
16. The emulsifying device according to at least one of the claims 13 to 15, in which the channel (20) is formed between two plates (130, 140) that extend vertically to the axial reference direction (z) of the emulsifying device.
17. The emulsifying device according to claim 16, in which the injection bores (42) are provided in one of the plates (130, 140) and open into the channel (20) on one side.
18. The emulsifying device according to claim 16, in which the injection bores (42) are provided in both plates (130, 140) and open into the channel (20) on both sides.
19. The emulsifying device according to claim 18, in which the injection bores (42) are arranged staggered relative to each other in both plates (130, 140).
20. A process for forming an emulsion (1) with a continuous phase (2) and at least one dispersed phase (3, 3.1, 3.2) with an emulsifying device (100), with the steps:

    - feeding of the continuous phase (2) through a feed line (30) into a channel (20),

    - feeding of the at least one dispersed phase (3, 3.1, 3.2) through at least one injection line (40) into the channel (20),

    - forming of liquid filaments of the continuous phase (2) and of the at least one dispersed phase (3, 3.1, 3.2), which liquid filaments flow in a laminar manner adjacent to each other through the channel (20) to a dispersion region (10), and

    - forming of the emulsion (1) from the continuous phase (2) and the at least one dispersed phase (3, 3.1, 3.2) in the dispersion region (10),

    characterized in that

    - an injection of the at least one dispersed phase (3, 3.1, 3.2) via a plurality of injection bores (42) into the channel (20) is provided for feeding the at least one dispersed phase (3, 3.1, 3.2), and

    - forming the emulsion (1) comprises an exiting of the continuous phase (2) and of the at least one dispersed phase (3, 3.1, 3.2) through the gap opening (11) of the channel (20) into an environment of the emulsifying device.
21. The process according to claim 20, in which at least one dispersed phase (3, 3.1, 3.2) is fed through injection bores (42) to two opposite sides of the channel (20).
22. The process according to claim 21, in which the at least one dispersed phase (3, 3.1, 3.2) is fed through two separate injection lines (40, 41) into the injection bores (42) on both sides of the channel (20).
23. The process according to at least one of the claims 20 to 22, in which the exiting of the continuous phase (2) and of the at least one dispersed phase (3, 3.1, 3.2) is provided through the gap opening (11) of the channel (20) in a direction parallel to the axial reference direction (z).
24. The process according to at least one of the claims 21 to 22, in which the exiting of the continuous phase (2) and of the at least one dispersed phase (3, 3.1, 3.2) is provided through the gap opening (11) of the channel (20) in a plane vertical to the axial reference direction (z).
25. The process according to at least one of the claims 21 to 24, in which the feeding of two dispersed phases (3, 3.1, 3.2) into the channel (20) is provided and a mixing of the dispersed phases (3, 3.1, 3.2) is formed during the exiting of the continuous phase (2) and of the dispersed phases (3, 3.1, 3.2) through the gap opening (11) of the channel (20).
26. The process according to claim 25, with the step:

    - adjustment of a predetermined mixing ratio of the dispersed phases (3, 3.1, 3.2).
27. The process according to claim 26, in which the adjustment of the predetermined mixing ratio of the dispersed phases (3, 3.1, 3.2) comprises an adjustment of the viscosity of the dispersed phases, of a filling pressure and/or of a delivery amount of the dispersed phases.

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