ES2663217B1 - Apparatus and method for mixing at least two liquids - Google Patents

Description

DESCRIPTION

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MIXING AT LEAST TWO LIQUIDS

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention refers generally to a nebulizer apparatus and to a method of mixing at least two liquids. More particularly, the present invention concerns the micromixing of liquids to obtain emulsions.

[0002] The production of small-scale multiphase systems is very interesting in many applications in pharmacy, food, agriculture, and scientific industries. Among these multi-phasic systems, emulsions, foams or aerosols can be found. Its production through purely fluid-dynamic processes, particularly through pneumatic processes, allows different applications and developments in industry, technology, science and in everyday life. The aerosols have been used in various technological fields, particularly as a method to treat respiratory diseases by the nebulization of liquid medicines. The administration of medicines by inhalation using aerosols allows dosing the appropriate concentrations of drug in the respiratory system, minimizing side effects. In the same way, applications in the agricultural sector are widely known, such as the generation of pesticide sprays as part of insect protection treatments. To do this, manual or automatic equipment is used that allows a controlled dosage and the ability to control the size of the drops, whose diameter is usually between 100 and 500 microns. When the drop size is smaller, between 50 and 100 microns, the term "nebulization" is normally used. When substances such as pesticides are used, not only the flotation capacity of the preparation increases, but also the coating surface of the droplets that are generated.

[0003] Current aerosol technologies include the invasion of the feed tube by an air stream. The fundamental characteristic of the technology is the production of a recirculation cell, where the turbulence is created in a scale that ensures an intimate interaction between the gas and the liquid. In this way, the invading gas mixes with the intercepted fluid. The flow rate of the intercepted fluid that exits is approximately perpendicularly a gas flow directed radially and centripetally towards the output flow axis.

DESCRIPTION

[0004] In summary, the present invention describes, in one of its embodiments, a method for mixing at least two liquids. The method includes a nebulizer having a feed tube with an outlet of the feed tube. The feeding tube is located in a pressurized chamber containing a pressurizing gas. The pressurized chamber has an outlet orifice of the pressurized chamber that is substantially coaxial with respect to the outlet of the supply tube downstream of the outlet of the supply tube. The outlet of the feed tube is located equidistantly axially with respect to the exit orifice of the pressurized chamber by an axial distance. The method also includes introducing a first stream of a first liquid and a second stream of a second liquid into the feed tube upstream of the outlet of the feed tube. The method further includes using the nozzle in flow blurring mode so that the reflux cell is formed in the feed tube upstream of the outlet of the feed tube. In this way, a turbulent mixing of the first and second liquid in the reflux cell occurs.

[0005] An alternative embodiment includes ejecting a mixture of the first and second liquid out of the outlet orifice of the pressurized chamber.

[0006] Another embodiment includes that the mixture is in the form of droplets dispersed in the gas.

[0007] In addition, another embodiment includes that each drop includes an emulsion of the first and second liquids.

[0008] Another embodiment includes drying the drops to create dry particles of the mixture.

[0009] A further embodiment includes that at least one of the two liquids, first and second, include solids, and that the dry particles of the mixture incorporate the solids.

[0010] A further embodiment includes forming an emulsion of the first and second liquids in the reflux cell and breaking the emulsion into drops so that the emulsion is expelled out of the outlet orifice of the pressurized chamber.

[0011] In addition another embodiment includes that the first and second liquids contain incompatible reagents. The operation of the nebulizer also includes the formation of a mixture of the first and second liquid in the reflux cell and the rupture of the mixture in droplets when the mixture is expelled out of the outlet orifice of the pressurized chamber. The embodiment further includes that the incompatible agents react with each other inside each drop so that each drop acts as a microreactor.

[0012] Also another embodiment of the invention includes that each of the two liquids, first and second, is introduced into the feed tube by two separate inlets upstream of the reflux cell.

[0013] A further embodiment includes that the supply tube is an external supply tube, and that the outlet of the supply tube is an outlet of the external supply tube. The introduction of the flow rate of the first and second liquids also includes introducing the first liquid into the external feed tube by means of a concentric inner feed tube having an outlet of the internal feed pipe, and introducing a second liquid into the external feed pipe to through a second inlet upstream of the outlet of the internal feed tube.

[0014] Another embodiment of the invention includes that the outlet of the internal feed pipe is located upstream at a distance from the outlet of the external feed pipe.

[0015] Another embodiment of the invention includes that the separation distance is configured to allow the reflow cell to be formed without being interrupted by the internal feed tube.

[0016] An embodiment of the invention includes that the separation distance is at least as large as the outlet diameter of the outlet of the external supply tube.

[0017] An additional embodiment of the invention includes that the operation of the nebulizer includes that the reflux cell is formed in the external supply tube but not in the internal supply tube.

[0018] A further embodiment of the invention includes that the first liquid has a sufficiently low viscosity that allows it to be introduced through the internal feed tube.

[0019] A further embodiment of the invention includes that the introduction of the flow rates of the first and second liquids further includes the introduction of a third flow rate of a third liquid into the feed tube upstream of the outlet of the feed tube.

[0020] The present invention also comprises, in one of its embodiments, a nebulization apparatus. The nebulization apparatus includes a first inlet for receiving the flow rate of the first liquid, a second inlet for receiving the flow rate of the second liquid, and an external supply tube. The external feeding tube is configured to receive the flow rates of the first and second liquids and has an axis with respect to said external tube. The external feed tube further includes an outlet of the external feed tube having an outlet diameter of the external feed tube. The nebulization apparatus further includes a pressurization chamber for containing the pressurizing gas surrounding the outlet of the external supply tube. The pressurization chamber includes an exit orifice of the chamber. The exit orifice of the pressurization chamber is coaxial with the axis of the external supply tube and has a diameter at the exit point. The outlet orifice of the pressurization chamber is spaced from the outlet of the external supply tube by defining an axial space between the outlet orifice of the pressurized chamber and the outlet of the external supply tube. The diameter of the outlet of the external supply pipe, the diameter of the outlet orifice and the axial space are configured so that the reflux cell can be formed inside the external supply pipe when the flows of the first and second liquids are forced through the external feed tube and the gas is forced to pass through the axial space.

[0021] A further embodiment of the invention includes an internal feed tube arranged concentrically inside the external feed tube, the first inlet communicating with the inner feed tube.

[0022] Another embodiment of the invention includes that the inner feeding tube includes an outlet of the internal feeding tube, this outlet of the internal feeding tube being separated from the outlet of the external feeding tube by a separation distance.

[0023] Some embodiments of the invention include that the separation distance is configured to allow the reflow cell to be formed without being interrupted by the internal feed tube.

[0024] In addition, another embodiment of the invention includes that the separation distance is at least as large as the diameter of the outlet of the external supply tube.

[0025] Another embodiment of the invention includes that the separation distance is sufficient so that the reflux cell is formed in the external supply tube but not in the internal supply tube during use.

[0026] Other embodiments of the invention include that the outlet diameter of the external supply tube is within the range between 70 microns and 8 millimeters.

[0027] Also another embodiment of the invention includes that the diameter of the outlet of the external supply tube is comprised within the range of 200 to 5000 microns. The exit diameter of the orifice is in the range between 90 and 120 percent of the diameter of the outlet of the external supply pipe. The internal feed tube includes an outlet of the external feed tube having an outlet diameter of the inner feed tube. The distance of the axial gap is not greater than a quarter of the outlet diameter of the chamber orifice.

[0028] In addition, another embodiment of the invention includes that the diameter of the outlet of the external feed tube is within the range of 500 to 2000 microns.

[0029] Other embodiments of the invention include that the inner feed tube includes an outlet of the inner feed tube having an outlet diameter of the inner feed tube.

[0030] In addition another embodiment of the invention includes that the diameter of the outlet orifice is comprised in the range between 90 and 120 percent of the exit diameter of the external supply tube.

[0031] Further embodiments of the invention include that the diameter of the outlet orifice is substantially the same as the outlet diameter of the external supply tube.

[0032] Yet another embodiment of the invention includes that the outlet diameter of the external supply tube is in the range of 70 microns to 8 millimeters.

[0033] Also another embodiment of the invention includes that the diameter of the outlet of the external feed tube is comprised within the range of 200 to 5000 microns.

[0034] Another embodiment of the invention includes that the diameter of the outlet of the external feed tube is comprised within the range of 500 to 2000 microns.

[0035] In addition other embodiments of the invention include that the distance of the axial gap is not greater than half the diameter of the outlet orifice.

[0036] Another embodiment of the invention include that the distance of the axial gap is not greater than a quarter of the diameter of the outlet orifice.

[0037] Another embodiment of the additional invention includes that the external feed tube includes an inlet at the end opposite the outlet of the external feed tube. Both inputs, the first and the second, are connected to the external power supply pipe closer to the input end than to the output of the external supply pipe.

[0038] One of the advantages of the present invention is that it provides a technique for mixing highly viscous liquids that would be very difficult to mix in any other way. The mixing of liquids with viscosities of up to 300,000 cP can be mixed with the techniques described here.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0039] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of one of the embodiments of a nebulization apparatus of the invention.

[0040] Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of another of the embodiments of a nebulization apparatus of the invention.

[0041] Fig. 3A is a picture of an example of poorly mixed liquids. It should be noted that all Figs. from 3A to 10B are photographs of dry samples of liquid drops. These dry samples are representative of the mixing of the liquids in the drops.

[0042] Fig. 3B is a photo of the example in Fig. 3A under black light so that the fluorophore that has been introduced into one of the two liquids is seen.

[0043] Fig. 4A is a photo of an example of homogeneously mixed liquids obtained by the present invention.

[0044] FIG. 4B is a photo of the example in FIG. 4A under black light so that the fluorophore that has been introduced into one of the two liquids is seen.

[0045] Fig. 5A is a photo of another example of homogeneously mixed liquids obtained by the present invention.

[0046] Fig. 5B is a photo of the example in Fig. 5A under black light so that the fluorophore that has been introduced into one of the two liquids is seen.

[0047] FIG. 6A is a photo of another additional example of homogeneously mixed liquids obtained by the present invention.

[0048] FIG. 6B is a photo of the example in FIG. 6A under black light so that the fluorophore that has been introduced into one of the two liquids is seen.

[0049] Fig. 7A is a photo of another additional example of homogeneously mixed liquids obtained by the present invention.

[0050] Fig. 7B is a photo of the example in Fig. 7A under black light so that the fluorophore that has been introduced into one of the two liquids is seen.

[0051] Fig. 8A is a photo of another additional example of homogeneously mixed liquids obtained by the present invention.

[0052] Fig. 8B is a photo of the example in Fig. 8A under black light so that the fluorophore that has been introduced into one of the two liquids is seen.

[0053] FIG. 9A is a photo of another additional example of homogeneously mixed liquids obtained by the present invention.

[0054] FIG. 9B is a photo of the example in FIG. 9A under black light so that the fluorophore that has been introduced into one of the two liquids is seen.

[0055] Fig. 10A is a photo of another additional example of homogeneously mixed liquids obtained by the present invention.

[0056] FIG. 10B is a photo of the example in FIG. 10A under black light so that the fluorophore that has been introduced into one of the two liquids is seen.

[0057] Fig. 11A is a graph of a droplet size distribution resulting from a first experiment performed by the present invention.

[0058] FIG. 11B is a graph of a droplet size distribution resulting from a second experiment made with the same experimental conditions as 11A but with a higher viscosity liquid made by the present invention.

[0059] Fig. 12A is a graph of a droplet size distribution resulting from a third experiment performed by the present invention.

[0060] FIG. 12B is a graph of a droplet size distribution resulting from a fourth experiment made with the same experimental conditions as 12A but with a higher viscosity liquid made by the present invention.

[0061] Fig. 13A is a graph of a droplet size distribution resulting from a fifth experiment performed by the present invention.

[0062] Fig. 13B is a graph of a droplet size distribution resulting from a sixth experiment with the same liquids as 13A but with a different pressure performed by the present invention.

[0063] FIG. 13C is a graph of a droplet size distribution resulting from a seventh experiment with the same liquids as 13A and 13B but with a different pressure made by the present invention.

[0064] Fig. 14 is a graph of a droplet size distribution resulting from an eighth experiment performed by the present invention as shown in Figs. 10A and 10B.

[0065] Fig. 15 is a schematic representation of an example of the type of drop obtained by the present invention. Fig. 15 is also representative of a dry particle made from a liquid drop.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0066] Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the present invention, one or more of whose drawings are described herein. Each figure is provided as a way of explaining the present invention and is not a limitation. In fact, it will be evident to those with knowledge of the subject that different variations and modifications can be made to what is shown in the present invention without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, features shown or described as part of one of the embodiments may be used in another embodiment of the invention to result in an additional embodiment of the invention.

[0067] Accordingly, it is intended that the present invention cover such modifications and variations as they are included in the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. Other objects, features and aspects of the present invention are described herein or are obvious from the following detailed description. It should be understood to one skilled in the art that the present invention is a description of examples of embodiments and is not intended to limit the general aspects of the present invention.

[0068] The words "connected", "attached", "attached", "assembled", "insured" and their like should be construed as a way of joining two objects, including but not limited to the use of any locking or joining system such as screws, nuts, bolts, nails, clamps and similar systems that allow a stationary, transferable or pivotable interaction, welding of any kind such as traditional MIG welding, TIG welding, friction welding, ultrasonic welding, torch, induction welding and the like; use of any resin, glue, epoxy, and the like; be formed in its entirety as a single joint part; any mechanical adjustment such as friction adjustment, interference fit, slide adjustment, rotation adjustment, pivot adjustment and the like; any possible combination and similar.

[0069] Unless otherwise specified, any part of the apparatus of the present invention may be manufactured by any suitable or suitable material, including but not limited to metals, alloys, polymers, polymer blends, woods, composites or any combination of these.

[0070] Referring to Fig. 1, a nebulizing apparatus 100 is shown. The nebulizing apparatus 100 may include a first inlet 102 to receive a flow rate of a first liquid 104 and a second inlet 106 to receive a flow rate of one second. liquid 108. An external supply tube 110 of the nebulizing apparatus 100 may be configured to receive the first liquid flow rate 104 and the second liquid flow rate 108. The external supply tube 110 may have an axis of the external supply tube A1, an outlet of the supply tube 112, and an end 114 opposite the outlet of the external supply tube. The outlet of the external feed tube 112 can have a diameter D1. Both, the first inlet 102 and the second inlet 106 may be communicated with the external feed tube 110 closer to the end 114 than the outlet of the external feed tube 112.

[0071] A pressurization chamber 116 may surround the outlet of the external supply tube 112. The pressurization chamber 116 may be configured to contain a pressurized gas 118, such as oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, air, and the like, and may including an outlet orifice of the pressurization chamber 120. The outlet orifice of the pressurization chamber 120 may be coaxial with the axis of the external supply tube A1 and may have a diameter of the outlet orifice D2. The outlet of the external feed tube 112 and the outlet orifice of the pressurization chamber 120 may be spaced apart from each other by an axial distance L1 between the outlet orifice of the pressurized chamber and the outlet of the external supply tube. The diameter of the outlet orifice D2 may be within the range including 90% and 120% of the diameter of the outlet of the external supply pipe D1. Various embodiments of the invention may include that the diameter of the outlet orifice D2 is substantially the same as the diameter of the outlet of the external supply tube D1. Many embodiments of the invention may include that the diameter of the outlet of the external feed tube D1 is within the range of 70 microns to 8 millimeters. Some embodiments of the invention may include that the outlet diameter of the external feed tube D1 is within the range of 200 microns to 5000 microns. Some embodiments of the invention may include that the diameter of the outlet of the external feed tube D1 is within the range of 500 microns to 2000 microns. In some embodiments of the invention, the axial distance L1 may not be greater than half the diameter of the outlet orifice D2. In other embodiments of the invention, the axial distance L1 may not be greater than a quarter of the diameter of the outlet orifice D2. These proportions can provide a suitable reflux cell 122 to be formed in the external feed tube 110 with pressures and other suitable conditions.

[0072] The diameter of the outlet of the external supply pipe D1, the diameter of the outlet orifice D2, and the axial distance L1 can be configured so that the reflux cell 122 can be formed inside the external supply pipe 110. when the first liquid stream 104 and the second liquid stream 108 are forced through the external feed tube and the gas 118 is forced through the axial space.

[0073] In some embodiments of the invention, as shown in Fig. 2, the nebulizing apparatus 100 may include an internal feed tube 124. The inner feed tube 124 may be concentrically disposed in the external feed tube 110. In these embodiments of the invention, the first inlet 102 may be communicated with the internal feed tube 124. The inner feed tube 124 may include an outlet of the inner feed tube 126 with a diameter of the inner feed tube outlet D3. The outlet diameter of the internal feed tube D3 must be of the appropriate size. Some embodiments of the invention may include that the outlet diameter of the internal feed tube D3 is within the range of one quarter to one half of the outlet diameter of the external feed tube D1. The outlet of the internal feed tube 126 may be separated from the outlet of the external feed tube 112 by a separation distance L2. Generally, the separation distance L2 should allow the reflux cell 122 to be formed without interruption of the internal feed tube 124. In some embodiments of the invention, the separation distance L2 may be at least as large as the output diameter of the External power tube D2. In other embodiments of the invention, the separation distance L2 can be up to five times greater than the size of the outlet diameter of the external supply tube D1. These dimensions should allow an appropriate reflux cell 122 to be formed in the external feed tube 110. Many embodiments of the invention have a separation distance L2 sufficient for the reflux cell 122 to be formed in the external supply tube 110 but not in the internal supply tube 124.

[0074] The present invention also relates to a method of mixing at least two liquids. The method includes using a nebulizer 100 which includes a feeding tube 110 with an outlet of the feeding tube 112. The feeding tube 110 must be positioned in a nebulization chamber 116 which contains a pressurized gas 118. The pressurization chamber 116 must including an outlet orifice of the pressurization chamber 120 substantially coaxial with the outlet of the feed tube 112 downstream of the outlet of the feed tube. The outlet of the feed tube 112 can be axially separated from the outlet orifice of the pressurization chamber 120 by an axial distance L1. The method may also include the introduction of a first flow 104 of a first liquid and a second flow rate 108 of a second liquid into the feed tube 110 upstream of the outlet of the feed tube 112. The nebulizer 100 may be operated in flow blurring in such a way that the reflux cell 122 is formed in the feed tube 110 upstream of the outlet of the feed tube 112. Turbulent mixing of the first and second liquids can be produced in the reflux cell 122.

[0075] The method may additionally include ejecting a mixture 128 from the first and second liquids 105, 108 out of the outlet orifice of the pressurization chamber 120. The mixture 128 may be in the form of droplets 130 dispersed in the gas 118. As seen in Fig.15 the second liquid 108 forms an external matrix or phase in which very small droplets of the first liquid 104 which form the internal phase of the emulsion are dispersed. Some embodiments of the method may include drying the droplets 130 to create dried particles of the mixture 132. The schematic representation of the drop 130 in FIG. 15 is also representative of the dry particles of the mixture 132. Many embodiments of the invention they may include that at least some between the first and second liquids 104, 108 may include solids which then form part of the dry particles of the mixture 132. The liquids 104, 108 may be very viscous in some embodiments of the invention. Other embodiments of the invention may include liquids 104, 108 of any viscosity. These liquids 104, 108 can be of any nature and can interact to form a solution instead of an emulsion.

[0076] The method can also include, during the introduction of the first flow 104 and the second flow rate 108, the formation of an emulsion of the first and second liquids in the reflux cell 122. The emulsion can be broken into droplets 130 at a time that the emulsion is ejected from the exit orifice of the pressurization chamber 120.

[0077] Some embodiments of the method may include that the first liquid 104 and the second liquid 108 contain reagents that are incompatible with each other. In these embodiments, use of the nebulizer 100 in flow blurring mode may additionally include the formation of a mixture 128 of the first and second liquids 104, 108 in the reflux cell 122. The mixture 128 may be broken into drops 130 when the mixture is ejected outside the exit orifice of the pressurization chamber 120. The incompatible reagents can react with each other inside each drop 130 so that each drop acts as a microreactor.

[0078] The method may also include introducing each of the first and second liquids 104, 108 into the feed tube 110 through separate inlets 102, 106 upstream of the reflux cell 122. Some embodiments of the invention may also include the introduction of a third flow 134 of a third liquid in the feed tube 110 upstream of the outlet of the feed tube 112. The third liquid 134 can be introduced by one of the first or second inlets 102, 106 or can be introduced by a third entry 136.

[0079] The feed tube 110 may be an external feed tube in many embodiments of the method. In these embodiments, the outlet of the feed tube 112 is an outlet of the external feed tube. These embodiments may also include introducing a flow rate of a first liquid 104 into the internal supply tube 124 through a first inlet 102 and introducing a flow rate of a second liquid 108 into the external supply tube 110 through a second upstream inlet 106. of the outlet of the internal feed tube 126. The outlet of the internal feed tube 126 may be located upstream of the outlet of the external feed tube 112 with a separation distance L2. The separation distance L2 may allow the reflux cell 122 to be formed without interference from the internal feed tube 124. In some embodiments of the method, the separation distance L2 may be at least as large as the diameter D1 of the output of the external feed tube 112. The reflux cell 122 in the flow blurring step can be formed in the external feed tube 110 but not in the inner feed tube 124. When the first liquid goes to to be introduced through the internal feed tube 124, the first liquid 104 must have the proper viscosity so as to allow it to pass through the smaller inner tube 124. Other embodiments may include that the second liquid 108 has a higher viscosity than the first liquid 104. Even, additional embodiments may include liquids 104, 108 having similar or substantially similar characteristics as viscosity, especially when embodiments with a single tube are used as in Fig. 1. It is also possible in some embodiments to allow the Reflux cell is also formed in the inner feeding tube if the inner feeding tube has sufficient size.

[0080] Now turn to the photographs of Figs 3A-10B. It should be noted that all of Figs. 3A-10B are photographs of dried samples of liquid droplets that are representative of the mixing of the liquids in the droplets. The photos are taken with a confocal microscope. The best way to observe and measure the quality of the mixture of the first and second liquids is to produce the drops using the method and apparatus claimed, dry the drops and put them on slides to be visualized with a microscope. The hydrophobic liquid has been doped with a fluorophore that allows to observe the quality of the mixture. Once the drops are dry, the fluorophore remains and is observed under a microscope. In each example, the figure with the suffix "A" is a photograph taken with the microscope in a clear field Each photograph with the suffix "B" is taken using a laser with the appropriate wavelength to excite the fluorophore so that can see the existing fluorophore in the particles contained in the first liquid. The droplets from the first liquid containing the fluorophore are so small that they are not normally distinguished as individual fluorescent points, so what is seen in the "B" photographs is that the complete dry drop appears fluorescent.

[0081] As shown in Figs. . 3A and 3B, the emulsifications may undesirably have very poor mixing of the two liquids. In this example, the hydrophobic liquid to which a fluorophore has been added, shown as the darker zone in Fig. 3A, has not been mixed homogeneously with the hydrophilic liquid. This result is taught as a representative dry sample in Figs 3A and 3B.

[0082] Turning now to FIGS. 4A-10B, several successful results are shown using the apparatus and methods described in the invention. These results indicate that a substantially homogeneous mixture is achieved in each drop. These homogeneous mixtures can be obtained without the need to pre-mix the two liquids before enter them through the apparatus currently described. As shown in the following examples, the present invention allows the mixing of highly viscous fluids including liquids of up to 300,000 cP. This type of very viscous liquids can hardly be mixed and with great difficulty with other existing procedures.

[0083] The experiments were performed with controlled variables and the results obtained are shown in the following tables. The following comments can be applied in general to starting liquids that were mixed and dried to obtain an indirect indication of the good results shown in Figs. 5A-7B (Tables 1-2). Many of the experiments include the mixture of aqueous polymeric solutions and a hydrophobic solution. As shown in Fig. 15, the drop resulting from the mixing process using the apparatus may include aqueous polymer solutions surrounding very small drops of the hydrophobic solution. Depending on the case, Solution 1 can be either a non-viscous oily aroma or a very viscous oily natural extract to which the fluorophore has been added. Solution 2 is an aqueous phase that shows examples of several polymer matrices. The polymer matrices used in these examples are Carragenate Iota (CGI), Shellac (Sh), Methylcellulose (MC), Sodium alginate (Algogel), Gelatin and Nutrateric. It would be very difficult to prepare emulsions of these liquids beforehand due to their high viscosity.

[0084] "m of the gas / m of the liquid" indicates the relation between the mass flow rate of the gas and the mass flow rate of the liquid (sum of the two liquids). "Entrapment" indicates the amount of ingredient (solution 1 here, aroma or natural extract) in the dry sample. "Encapsulation efficiency" indicates the theoretical amount of ingredient in the dry sample multiplied by one hundred and divided by the actual quantity that was wanted to be introduced. The different experimental conditions show different combinations of liquid flow and air pressure.

[0085] Table 1 is shown below:

TABLE 1

[0086] Experiments with additional parameters and their results are shown in Table 2. No photographs are included for these experiments. Table 2 is shown below:

TABLE 2

[0087] The following comments are generally applicable to the results shown in Figs. 8A-10B (Table 3). In each of these examples, an arrangement of concentric tubes is used, as shown in Fig.2.

[0088] Solution 1 is a liquid of relatively low viscosity so that it can be introduced through inner tube 124. In these examples it is a flavor or an organic oil in which a fluorophore has been added. Solution 2 is an aqueous phase, showing different examples of polymer matrices. The polymer matrices used in these examples are Carragenate Iota (CGI), Shellac (Sh), Methylcellulose (MC), Maltodextrin (MD), Nutriose, and Modified Starch (OSS).

[0089] Table 3 is shown below:

TABLE 3

[0090] Experiments with additional parameters and their results are shown in Table 4-5. The polymer matrices used in these examples are Carragenate Iota (CGI), Shellac (Sh), Methylcellulose (MC), Maltodextrin (MD), Nutrateric, Xanthan Gum (Xan) and Hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (KEF). No photographs are included for these experiments. Table 4 is shown below:

TABLE 4

[0091] Table 5 is shown below:

TABLE 5

[0092] Figs. 11A-14 show examples of how the droplet size distribution behaves. The drop size is measured with a Sympatec HELOS laser diffraction sensor. Dv10 indicates the maximum particle diameter below which 10% of the sample is in volume. Dv40 indicates the maximum particle diameter below which 50% of the sample is in volume. Dv90 indicates the maximum particle diameter below which 90% of the sample is in volume. The polymer matrices used in these examples are Gelatin, Irage Carragenate (CGI), Shellac (Sh), Methylcellulose (MC), Arabica Gum (GA), Starch (Clariaplus), Modified Starch (OSS), Sodium Alginate (Algogel) and Nutriose. It should be noted that Figs. 11A and 11B (Table 6) show the effect of using aqueous matrices with different viscosities for the same experimental conditions. Figs. 12A and 12B (in Table 7) show the effect of using aqueous matrices with different viscosities for another set of experimental conditions

[0093] Table 6 is shown below:

[0094] Table 7 is shown below:

TABLE 7

[0095] Figs. 13A-13C (Table 8) can be compared to show the influence of pressure on drop size. Table 8 is shown below:

TABLE 8

[0096] Table 9 is shown below:

TABLE 9

[0097] The present invention also describes the introduction of mutually incompatible reagents such that each drop is a microreactor. One of the embodiments of the invention includes the production of zinc carbonate crystals in a single step using two solutions that are highly reactive when placed in contact with one another. The two solutions can be nebulized using a single tube with two inlets. The pressurizing gas can be air. The mixture of salts in the drops begins to react producing zinc carbonate. A suspension of ZnCO3 is collected in the collection bath. The result of this suspension should not be confused with the dry product described in the Figures and Tables above. The experimental results of the suspension are shown in Table 10 below:

TABLE 10

[0098] Table 10 is only an example of the potential results that can be obtained with the present invention. The mixture of the first and second liquids can form drops, but can be converted into powder, granular particles and the like by any known method as described above in relation to Table 10.

[0099] This written description uses examples to describe the invention and also allows someone skilled in the art to carry out the invention, including making or realizing any device or system. The patentable scope of the invention is defined in the claims and may include other examples that may occur to someone with knowledge in the art. These other examples would be included in the scope of the claims if they contained structural elements that do not differ from the language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with non-substantial differences of the language of the claims.

[0100] Although embodiments of the invention have been described using specific terms, this description is made for illustrative purposes. The words used are descriptive and not limiting words. It should be understood that those skilled in the art can make changes and variations without departing from the spirit of the scope of the present invention, which is described in the following claims. Additionally, it should be understood that the aspects of the various embodiments may be partially or completely interchangeable. Although specific examples of uses of the described matter have been shown, other uses may be contemplated. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the claims should not be limited to the description of the versions shown here.

Claims (26)

1. Method of mixing at least two liquids, the method comprises: (a) providing a nebulizer including a feeding tube having an outlet of the feeding tube, the feeding tube is positioned in a pressurization chamber containing a pressurized gas, the pressurization chamber includes a chamber output orifice, pressurization substantially coaxial with the outlet of the feed tube downstream of the outlet of the feed tube, the outlet of the feed pipe being axially separated from the outlet orifice of the pressurization chamber by an axial distance; (b) introducing a first flow rate of a first liquid and a second flow rate of a second liquid into the supply pipe upstream of the outlet of the supply pipe; Y (c) operating the nebulizer in flow blurring mode so that a reflux cell is formed in the feed tube upstream of the feed tube outlet, thereby providing a turbulent mixture of the first and second liquids in the cell of reflux. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises: ejecting a mixture of the first and second liquids out of the outlet orifice of the pressurization chamber. 3. The method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that: the mixture is in the form of drops dispersed in the gas. 4. The method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that: each of the drops includes an emulsion of the first and second liquids. 5. The method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further comprises: drying the drops to create dry particles of the mixture. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that at least one of the first and second liquids includes solids, and the dry particles of the mixture include solids. The method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that step (b) further comprises: forming an emulsion of the first and second liquids in the reflux cell; Y Break the emulsion into droplets as the emulsion is ejected out of the outlet orifice of the pressurization chamber. The method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it additionally comprises: that the first liquid and second liquid include incompatible reagents; step (c) additionally includes: (c) (1) forming a mixture of the first and second liquid in the reflux cell; and (c) (2) breaking the mixture into droplets as the mixture is ejected out of the outlet orifice of the pressurization chamber; Y that the incompatible reagents react with each other inside each drop so that each drop acts as a microreactor. The method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that: each of the first and second liquids is introduced into the feed tube by separate inlets upstream of the reflux cell. The method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that: the supply tube is an external supply tube, and the outlet of the supply tube is an outlet of the external supply tube; Y step (b) further comprises introducing the first liquid into the external feed tube by means of an inner concentric feed tube having an outlet of the internal feed pipe, and introducing the second liquid into the external feed pipe in a second water inlet above the outlet of the internal feeding tube. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that: the outlet of the internal feed pipe is located upstream of the outlet of the external feed pipe by a separation distance. The method according to any of claims 10-11, characterized in that: the separation distance is configured to allow the reflux cell to be formed without being interrupted by the internal feed tube. The method according to any of claims 10-12, characterized in that the separation distance is at least as large as the exit diameter of the outlet of the external supply pipe. The method according to any of claims 10-13, characterized in that: in step (c) the reflux cell is formed in the external feed tube and not in the internal feed tube. 15. The method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that: step (b) further comprises introducing a third flow of a third liquid into the feed tube upstream of the outlet of the feed tube. 16. An apparatus, characterized in that said apparatus comprises: a first inlet to receive a flow of a first liquid; a second inlet to receive a flow of a second liquid; an external supply tube configured to receive the flow rates of the first and second liquid and have an external supply tube shaft, the external supply tube includes an external supply tube outlet having an outlet diameter of the external supply tube, a pressurization chamber surrounding the outlet of the external supply tube to contain the pressurization gas, the pressurization chamber including an exit orifice of the pressurization chamber, the outlet orifice of the pressurization chamber being coaxial with the axis of the tube of external feed and having a diameter of the outlet orifice, the outlet orifice of the chamber is separated from the outlet of the external feed tube to define an axial distance between the outlet orifice of the pressurization chamber and the outlet of the external power; Y where the outlet diameter of the external feed tube, the outlet orifice diameter, and the axial distance are configured so that a reflux cell can be formed inside the external feed tube when the flow rates of the first and second liquid They are forced through the external feed tube and the gas is forced through the axial distance. 17. The apparatus according to claim 16, characterized in that it further comprises: an internal supply tube arranged concentrically in the external supply tube, the first inlet communicating with the internal supply tube. 18. The apparatus according to claim 17, characterized in that: the internal feed tube includes an outlet of the internal feed tube, the outlet of the inner feed tube being separated from the outlet of the external feed tube by a separation distance . 19. The apparatus according to any of claims 17-18, characterized in that: the separation distance is configured to allow the reflow cell to be formed without being interrupted by the internal feed tube. 20. The apparatus according to any of claims 17-19, characterized in that: the separation distance is at least as large as the outlet diameter of the external supply tube. 21. The apparatus according to any of claims 17-20, characterized in that: the separation distance is sufficient for the reflux cell to be formed in the external supply tube but not in the internal supply tube during use. 22. The apparatus according to any of claims 16-21, characterized in that: the diameter of the outlet orifice is in a range of from 90 to 120 percent of the diameter of the outlet of the external supply tube. 23. The apparatus according to any of claims 16-22, characterized in that: the diameter of the outlet orifice is substantially the same as the diameter of the outlet of the external supply tube. 24. The apparatus according to any of claims 16-23, characterized in that: the outlet diameter of the external supply pipe is in a range of from 70 microns to 8 mm, preferably from 200 to 5000 microns and more preferably from 500 at 2000 microns. 25. The apparatus according to any of claims 16-24, characterized in that: the axial distance is not greater than one half the diameter of the outlet orifice, preferably not greater than a quarter of the diameter of the outlet orifice. 26. The apparatus according to any of claims 16-25, characterized in that: the external supply tube includes an inlet end opposite the outlet of the external supply tube and both the first and the second inlets are connected to the external supply tube closer to the inlet end than to the outlet of the external supply tube.