An improved high‐pressure homogenizer for making fine emulsions on a small scale

Abstract

Summary A reliable high‐pressure laboratory homogenizer is described for the small‐scale production of emulsions with highly reproducible droplet‐size distribution. A key feature of the design of this ‘jet homogenizer’ is the inclusion of separate chambers for oil and aqueous phases, thereby eliminating the necessity for premixing prior to homogenization, with its associated problems of air incorporation. To illustrate the performance characteristics of the jet homogenizer, data are presented for the effect of homogenization pressure and equipment dimensions on the droplet size of n‐tetradecane‐in‐water emulsions stabilized by sodium caseinate.