What is an emulsion?

Emulsions are the mixture-like structures formed by two or more liquids that do not mix under the regular conditions.

The concept of emulsion is of Latin origin and refers mainly to milk, which is a mixture of oil and water, or to milky mixtures.

Two liquids can form any emulsions having different properties. For example, if the dispersing phase is water, it can form an oil-in-water emulsion, and if the dispersing phase is oil, it can form a water-in-oil emulsion. Similarly, it is possible to prepare multiple emulsions for oil and water.

A- Two phases that have not yet formed a mixture (immiscible)
B- Emulsion formed by the dispersion of phase II in phase I
C- Unstable emulsion with phases separated gradually
D- Surfactant applied state that stabilizes the phases

Emulsions contain the continuous and dispersed phases and the binding phase (interface) phases resulting from interaction of these phases. Emulsions tend to form a cloud-like appearance, because the many interfaces refract light in different forms.

Where the light is dispersed evenly distributed, the emulsions give a white color image.

As the dispersion rate of the dispersed phase in the emulsion increases, the dispersion amounts of the short and long wavelength rays will also increase, and thus the image shifts towards the blue color, which is called the Tyndall effect.

As the emulsions are concentrated, the image shifts to longer wavelengths (yellow). This is an effect that can be observed, while fat is obtained from milk.

What Is An Emulsifier?

An emulsifier (also known as an emulsifying agent) is a substance that stabilizes an emulsion, usually a surfactant.

Examples of the food emulsifiers include egg yolk (the main emulsifying compound in egg yolk is lecithin), honey and mustard (it accounts for the emulsifying effect of mustard in the shell of the mustard seed).

Proteins can also present an emulsifying effect in smaller molecules. In some cases, particles can also cause emulsification by a mechanism called Pickering stabilization.

Most of the emulsions are unstable structures and the mixtures do not naturally tend to transform to emulsion. In order to produce an emulsion, any additional external energy input is required such as shaking, using high-frequency sound waves, etc. Even in this case, the emulsifying phases tend to return to their steady state over time. Salad dressings are a good example. The oil and vinegar phases tend to separate from each other, if that are not agitated constantly.

Where Do the Emulsions Appear?

The emulsions can be formed as a result of a wide variety of processes in different industries. Since formation of the emulsions is specific to the industry and process, selection of the demulsifiers is difficult and requires any laboratory tests. Oils are very variable in content, ranging from the lubricants and machine oils to the soluble oils, and from the rolling oils to the animal fats, and sometimes aromatics.

Examples of Industries, Where the Emulsions Are Encountered:

• Petrochemical Industry
• Food Industry
• Automotive Industry
• Metal Industry
• Leather Industry
• Textile Industry
• Cosmetic Industry
• Paint, surface coating and adhesive industries
• Oils, fats and wax industries
• Soap and detergent industries, including laundries

How Does the Demulsifying Process Happen?

Removal of waste oil/water emulsions becomes increasingly an expensive problem in the industry and therefore any various treatment methods have been developed for oil removal. Selection of a wastewater treatment method depends on the characteristics of the water to be treated. The first factor that must be considered in selection of the treatment method of oil/water emulsions includes size of the oil droplets in the wastewater.

As Liberta Kimya, we solve these problems by the most cost-effective and high efficiency means with our BLANCO^wt series products used by us in in our demulsification works.

Photo 1.1

The emulsion can be separated from the emulsion water under the proper conditions by a direct dosage in the waste emulsion waters (see Photo 1.1). The resulting waste oil can be reused (it can be purchased by the waste oil collection plants). Life and efficiency of the UF membranes, if any, are increased in the process. Furthermore, high discharge costs are reduced by reaching the proper discharge limits by means of a chemical reaction (Coagulation & Flocculation) upon emulsion (Photo 1.2).

Photo 1.2

The oil used in the demulsification process and the product selected in accordance with the processing process are added at the determined rate and mixed for a while. When a sufficient Flock size and clarity are obtained, the wastewater is put on hold and the emulsion is expected to separate from water.

For coagulant selection, the coagulant- and flocculant-containing products are added to the waste water formed upon emulsion removal and a mixture process is carried out for a certain period of time. After the precipitation process, the suspended solid and turbidity values decreased visibly. Furthermore, the structure of the flocks can be evaluated visually (Photo 1.2).

The tests are carried out under the laboratory conditions, and we can still obtain the efficient results through our BLANCO^wt series products used in the plants and the parameters such as oil and water characteristics.

Benefits of these process are as follows:
• The decomposed oil is much more suitable for burning and is in a salable condition.
• Less chemical use
• Lower Sludge, Energy, Membrane and Operational Expenses
• Reliable (it does not require heating and acid use.)
• It requires a perfect laboratory work.

WASTEWATER TREATMENT SERVICES

Contact Liberta Kimya for your wastewater requirements. We can provide expert advice and support on maintenance, management and treatment of the commercial and industrial boilers and steam generation systems to help you to optimize the costs and operational efficiencies, reduce the downtime, save water and energy, maintain the steam quality and increase plant reliability. We apply the following processes by taking samples from your wastewater in your plants:

• Sample Jar tests (completed within 5 working days)
• Laboratory Reporting (completed no later within 2 working days after the Jar test results)
• Site Jar Testing (the Jar Test work that we will do together again in the facility with our product/products determined in the survey)
• Site Reporting (completed no later within 2 working days after the on-site Jar test results)
• A Quotation (based on annual consumption amounts and contract conditions)
• Site tests (the site tests with chemicals with their results obtained)