Methods to control phase inversions and enhance mass transfer in liquid-liquid dispersions
US6495617B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 16, 1999 |
| Grant date | Dec 17, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 16, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB01F31/80
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
The present invention is directed to the effects of applied electric fields on liquid-liquid dispersions. In general, the present invention is directed to the control of phase inversions in liquid-liquid dispersions. Because of polarization and deformation effects, coalescence of aqueous drops is facilitated by the application of electric fields. As a result, with an increase in the applied voltage, the ambivalence region is narrowed and shifted toward higher volume fractions of the dispersed phase. This permits the invention to be used to ensure that the aqueous phase remains continuous, even at a high volume fraction of the organic phase. Additionally, the volume fraction of the organic phase may be increased without causing phase inversion, and may be used to correct a phase inversion which has already occurred. Finally, the invention may be used to enhance mass transfer rates from one phase to another through the use of phase inversions.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.