System and method for emulsion breaking and phase separation by droplet adhesion
US10150058B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignees
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 18, 2015 |
| Grant date | Dec 11, 2018 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 18, 2035 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
- CPC primaryC03C2217/76
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
Emulsion breaking and phase separation is achieved by droplet adhesion. An emulsion breaking device includes a channel having distinct adjacent zones with distinctly different surface wettability characteristics, namely, solvophilic and solvophobic surfaces. The device is positioned such that the upstream portion of the device is configured to be wetted by the continuous phase of the emulsion, and the downstream portion of the device is configured to be wetted by the dispersed phase of the emulsion. As the emulsion flows from the upstream zone to the downstream zone, the change in surface wettability characteristics promotes adhesion of the dispersed phase as the dispersed phase wets the surface of the downstream portion of the channel, which results in breaking of the emulsion. Subsequent collection of the broken emulsion in a collection vessel results in separation of the disparate phases to facilitate their recapture and recycling.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.