Homogenizing method and apparatus

摘要

A method and apparatus are disclosed for the homogenization of a multicomponent stream including a liquid and a substantially insoluble component, which may be either a liquid or a finely divided solid. The homogenization process is effected by passing the multicomponent, fluid stream through a turbulent shear layer having a substantial velocity gradient there-across and designed such that turbulent vortical eddies generate a cavitating flow regime. The cavitating flow regime allows the generation of vapor bubbles which move downstream into a region of pressure and violently collapse. The violent bubble collapse creates intense pressure pulses which cause the intimate intermixing of the liquid and the substantially insoluble component such that the effluent, a resulting emulsion, has an exceptionally long separation half-life with a very high emulsification coefficient. When the insoluble component is a particulate solid, the collapse of the cavitation bubbles further subdivides those particles such that the effluent is a colloidal suspension. The turbulent shear layer may be effected with a homogenizing unit having a relatively small diameter sharp-edged orifice. One or more suitable premixers having helical vanes therein may be positioned upstream of the homogenizing unit such that the multicomponent flow is not stratified and efficiency of the homogenization process is enhanced.