High pressure emulsification with nano-particles as stabilizing agents

This work presents a technical possibility to produce PSE (particle stabilized emulsions, so called Pickering emulsions) using inorganic nano-particles, which can be highly abrasive. The influence of process parameters (such as inlet flow combination, volume throughput, pressure) and special challenges arising from using nano-particles instead of emulsifier molecules are depicted. Furthermore, the stability and droplet size distributions of oil-in-water (o/w) emulsions stabilized with x∼200 and 12 nm Stober silica particles are discussed. Results are compared to those obtained by batch processing using a rotor–stator-system. Process economics as well as efficiency will also be discussed.