Emulsion formation system and mixing device

摘要

A method for preparing oil in water HIPR emulsions includes the steps of providing a Newtonian liquid including a mixture of a viscous hydrocarbon, an emulsifying additive and water; subjecting the Newtonian liquid to a first shear force whereby a substantial portion of the Newtonian liquid is radially displaced and mixed so as to form a non-Newtonian liquid; thereafter subjecting remaining non-radially displaced Newtonian liquid to a second shear force to mix the remaining non-radially displaced Newtonian liquid into the non-Newtonian liquid to form the HIPR emulsion, which emulsion is a stable oil in water emulsion having a droplet size of between about 1 to 30 microns and having a droplet size distribution (x) no greater than about 1, the droplet size distribution being defined as follows: wherein D90 is a droplet size at least as large as about 90% of all droplets in the oil in water emulsion; D10 is a droplet size at least as large as about 10% of all droplets in the oil in water emulsion; and D50 is a droplet size at least as large as about 50% of all droplets in the oil in water emulsion.