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Summary

A large German Research Institute has developed a new melt emulsification process. This technology outmatches other processes for the production of solid particles, such as fine milling or precipitation, in terms of short process times and reduced energy consumption. The basic idea is to cool down the droplets with a second mixed flow so rapidly that they immediately solidify (stable particles) after crushing. The institute is seeking either a license agreement or a technical cooperation.

Full description

Dyes, varnishes or pharmaceutical agents are often based on dispersions containing solid particles. For the solid particles to remain finely distributed in the liquid, they have to be processed accordingly. The solid particles can be molten among others and emulsified as a melt. This so-called melt emulsification outmatches other processes for the production of solid particles, such as fine milling or precipitation, in terms of short process times and reduced energy consumption. However, melt emulsification requires emulsifiers or protective colloid systems that have to be stable over the wide temperature range of production. These stabilization agents can only be found in a high-expenditure trial-and-error process and are a decisive cost factor in product development and production.

The new melt emulsification process developed by the large German Research Institute does not need any cost-intensive aids. The process works with a dispersion nozzle, in which the temperature is cooled down rapidly in order to stabilize the droplets. The basic idea is to cool down the droplets with a second mixed flow so rapidly that they immediately solidify after crushing and that stable particles form that do no longer agglomerate or stick together. The advantage of the process is the high reproducibility of solid particles with uniform properties. The particle sizes can be varied over a wide range, with particle sizes below one micrometer being reached as well. Depending on the design of the homogenization nozzle, alternative process paths can be developed in order to reduce the process steps, generate new products, and save more energy.

Innovative Aspects

The developed melt emulsification process has the following advantages:
- doesn’t need any cost-intensive aids
- high reproducibility of solid particles with uniform properties
- facilitates a wide range of particle sizes (particle sizes below one micrometer are possible)
- works with a dispersion nozzle, in which the temperature is cooled down rapidly in order to stabilize the droplets

Partner expertise sought:

- Type of partner sought: industry, research organizations
- Specific area of activity of the partner: e.g. partner from chemical and pharmaceutical industry, process / production engineering and food industry who could manufacture and use melt emulsification for solid particles,
- Task to be performed by the partner sought: joint further development or license the technology.