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Emulsion Splitting with UltrasoundSensors and Ultrasonics |
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[Sensors and Ultrasonics] [IAP-Homepage]
The splitting of emulsions utilizing the acoustic forces in a standing ultrasonic field is an especially promising approach, since the liquid particl es, once coagulated, remain stable as a homogenous phase which can be separated easily and permanently by gravitational forces.
Main emphasis is given to the application field of splitting oil-in-water emulsions. For this purpose the piezoelectric transducer-technology has to be improved and a dedicated ultrasonic resonator system has to be developed. Physically and chemically well defined oil-in-water emulsions (parameters: particle size and distribution, viscosity, density, concentration, oil and carbon content, sound velocity, pH-value, Zeta-Potential, total and particle surface charge and density, particle compressibility, boundary surface interactions, etc.) have to be treated and investigated as well as some typical samples of oil containing process waste water and oil-in-water lubricating-cooling liquids.
The research project is of fundamental importance for the development, exploitation and application of ultrasonic separation system for splitting oil-in-water emulsions utiliz ed in the metal-processing industry with a novel non-chemical and non-polluting separation process and for re- and down-cycling processes of the separated liquid phases to the reusable and recyclable raw materials oil and water.