Device for mixing water and diesel oil, apparatus and process for producing a water/diesel oil micro-emulsion

Abstract

An apparatus for preparing a water/diesel oil micro-emulsion comprises a diesel oil feeding unit (2), an emulsifying composition feeding unit (3), a water feeding unit (4), a mixing tank (5) in fluid communication with the diesel oil feeding unit (2), with the emulsifying composition feeding unit (3) and with the water feeding unit (4). A mixing device (22) is operatively connected to the mixing tank (5). The mixing device (22) comprises a duct (39) extending along a main direction (X-X) and presenting an inlet opening (40) and an outlet nozzle (41). A cone shaped septum (60) is placed in the duct (39), coaxial with respect to the main direction (X-X) and tapering towards the outlet nozzle (41). The cone shaped septum (60) is provided with a plurality of holes (65) made through its conical wall (63). A plurality of lamellae (76, 80) are arranged in at least a portion of the duct (39) placed downstream of the cone shaped septum (60). The plurality of lamellae (76, 80) divides said portion in a plurality of small chambers (77, 82) and are provided with through holes (78, 81). The holes (78, 81) and the small chambers (77, 82) delimit a labyrinth passageway for the liquid flowing through the duct (39) towards the outlet nozzle (41). The water/diesel oil micro-emulsion is obtained by recirculating a batch contained in the mixing tank (5) and comprising the diesel oil, the emulsifying composition and the water through a recirculation conduit and through the mixing device (22).

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.