Membrane emulsification modelling: How can we get from characterisation to design?

Abstract

There has been an increasing interest in a new technique for making emulsions known as membrane emulsification, which uses a microporous membrane operated in cross-flow. The continuous phase is pumped along the membrane and sweeps away dispersed phase droplets forming from pore openings as shown in Fig. 1. The effects of process parameters in membrane emulsification have been studied, especially on a quantitative level. However, the physical mechanisms of droplet formation are still under investigation to better elucidate the roles of operating parameters, and finally model the process. This work reviews current developments and deficiencies in the modelling membrane emulsification processes.