Development of a new technique to generate microcapsules from the breakup of non‐Newtonian highly viscous fluid jets

Abstract

Abstract A new method to produce microcapsules ranging from 300 to 700 μm based on the droplets formation from non‐newtonian high viscous liquids has been developed, characterized, and modeled. The technique involves the generation of a continuous high viscous solution jet, which is destabilized by means of a controlled vibration, breaking into droplets that undergo stabilization through a gelling process. Finally, the application of the wave‐mechanisms‐based theory to obtain a set of equations for the fitting of experimental data is assessed, as a first approximation for a better knowledge of the process. To find the fitting equations, the influence on the microcapsules size is studied through two‐dimensionless groups, the Ohnesorge and the Weber numbers, involving the liquid viscosity and flow, respectively, and determining their exponential dependences. Further coefficients are obtained by least‐squares fit of the experimental data. © 2011 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2011