Effect of Different Parameters in a Three-phase W/O Emulsification Process for Preparation of the Adsorbents

A novel dense pellicular adsorbent, designed for intensified fluidised bed adsorption processes, has been fabricated by coating agarose gel on to a Zirconia-Silica solid core (ZSA) by a modified water-in-oil (W/O) emulsification process. The effects of agitation speed, surfactant concentration, oil phase and slurry phase viscosity in the emulsification experiments were investigated. Increasing agitation speed favoured the formation of smaller beads and addition of the surfactant and increasing its concentration reduced the particle diameters. In contrast, above a concentration of 15 g Surfactant/l Oil no further decrease of particle size was observed but if the surfactant concentration was increased further it had an inverse effect upon the particle diameter. The results of experiments concerting the effect of oil and slurry phase viscosity on the pellicular layer of the particle proved that decreasing the viscosity of one or both phases reduced the thickness of the pellicular layer whilst a change in the slurry viscosity had a greater effect on this parameter. Bed expansion qualities were demonstrated a marked robustness in the face of elevated velocities and has shown a excellent hydrodynamic performance. Optimisation of the W/O emulsification process and the generic application of an pellicular adsorbent which is used in the recovery of bioproducts by fluidised bed adsorption are discussed.

Keywords:

W/O emulsification method , surfactant concentration , pellicular adsorbent , chromatographic separation , fluidised bed adsorption ,