Method for preparing concentrated and emulsions calibrated in a highly viscous phase, in particular bitumen emulsions
AssigneeCentre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)
InventorsFernando Leal Calderon, Jerôme Bibette, Florence Guimberteau
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A process provides a stable emulsion, in particularly a stable, concentrated bitumen emulsion, by emulsifying a first hydrophobic or hydrophilic phase having a viscosity between 1 and 5000 Pa.s with a second phase immiscible in the first phase, in the presence of at least one surfactant, by mixing together the first phase, second phase, and surfactant under a laminar shear regime.
Claims22
Process for emulsifying a first hydrophobic or hydrophilic phase having a viscosity between 1 and 5000 Pa.s with a second phase immiscible in the first phase, comprising:
- combining the first phase in a single portion with the second phase, and at least one surfactant, and
- mixing the first phase, second phase, and surfactant together under a laminar shear regime
- to obtain a stable emulsion having an average droplet diameter less than 2 microns and a polydispersity less than 40%, the first phase being present in a proportion of 75 to 95% by weight.
Process for preparing a concentrated and calibrated emulsion using a hydrophobic or hydrophilic phase having a viscosity between 1 and 5000 Pa.s, comprising:
- combining, in a single portion as a first phase, the hydrophobic or hydrophilic phase having a viscosity less than 5000 Pa.s with a second phase immiscible in the first phase, and at least one surfactant and
- mixing the first phase, second phase, and surfactant together under a laminar shear regime, having a shear rate,
- to obtain a stable emulsion having an average droplet diameter less than 2 microns and a polydispersity less than 40%, the first phase being present in a proportion of 75 to 95% by weight, wherein the average droplet diameter less than 2 microns is obtained by adjusting the concentration of the second phase based on the shear rate and surfactant concentration.
Process for preparing a calibrated and concentrated bitumen emulsion, comprising:
- heating the bitumen to a temperature of 95° C.,
- mixing, in a reactor under a laminar shear regime and at atmospheric pressure, the heated bitumen with water at 5% by weight relative to the weight of bitumen and a surfactant at 0.5 to 1.5% by weight relative to the weight of bitumen,
- to form a bitumen emulsion having a polydispersity of less than 40% and an average droplet diameter less than 2 microns.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.