van Rijn C.J.M., Nijdam W.
University of Wageningen, NL
Keywords: emulsification, membranes, microfiltration, monodisperse spheres
With microengineering techniques it is possible to manufacture very precise perforated membranes. The pores, which are well defined by photolithographic methods, allow accurate separation of particles by size. The membrane thickness is usually smaller than the pore size resulting in operational process fluxes that are one to two decades higher than obtained with convential filtration methods. We will present experimental results for microfiltration of lager beer and milk (cold sterilization). Many emulsions today are obtained by stirring or by use of high pressure homogenisers. A new technique to produce emulsions is cross flow membrane emulsification (XME), a process in which the to-be-dispersed phase (for instance oil) is pressed through a membrane. Subsequently formed droplets at the membrane surface are then carried away by the continuous phase (for instance water) flowing across the membrane. Under ideal conditions, XME is able to produce quasi-monodisperse emulsions. We will present results for making very monodisperse emulsions (GSD
Journal: TechConnect Briefs
Volume: 3, Technical Proceedings of the 2007 NSTI Nanotechnology Conference and Trade Show, Volume 3
Published: May 20, 2007
Pages: 418 - 420
Industry sector: Sensors, MEMS, Electronics
Topic: Micro & Bio Fluidics, Lab-on-Chip
ISBN: 1-4200-6184-4