Effects of Process Parameters on an Inverse Concentrated Miniemulsion Flowing in a Microchannel

Emulsions are of great industrial interest due to their wide variety and end-use properties. Microfluidics systems provide excellent control of transport phenomena. Hence, the influence of operating parameters on a concentrated inverse mini-emulsion flowing in a microfluidic system was investigated. The feasibility of maintaining the emulsion in a microfluidic device was clearly demonstrated and the associated operating domain identified. Due to its influence on rheology, the effect of temperature on the droplet size distribution was quantified. Under specific conditions, a mass transfer phenomenon between the train of water drops and the smallest droplets of the emulsion was found, potentially explained by a difference in osmotic pressure between the two aqueous phases.