(70ae) Precision Emulsification of Droplets and Capsules

A novel membrane emulsification system which utilises rotating membranes for precision manufacture of emulsions was investigated. Using a laser drilled stainless steel tubular membrane mounted on an overhead stirrer as the emulsification device, a paraffin wax as the disperse phase, Tween 20 or sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) as the emulsifier, and carbomer as the stabiliser, monodispersed oil in water emulsions, having a coefficient of variation value ranging from 10% to 20%, could be readily produced within a broad range of experimental conditions. The effects of some of the major system operating parameters on both the droplet mean size and droplet uniformity, such as membrane rotational speeds, stabiliser concentrations, and type of emulsifiers employed, were discussed against experimental observations