Homogenisation

Technology

Handling fluids under high pressure, up to 1,500 bar under continuous full-scale operation, is a technology in its own right. This incorporates the disciplines of machine design, strength of materials, and a significant fluid mechanical knowledge, which combines the highest skills in mechanical engineering and more than 50 years of expertise.
Homogenisation technology is applied to a wide range of fluids to achieve with the pressure unique results and performances on products which cannot be obtained with anything else, as a key element in the process.

The Homogenising Concept


Homogenisation technology is based on the use of pressure on liquids to subdivide particles or droplets present in fluids into the very smallest sizes (submicron) and create a stable dispersion ideal for further processing.

Homogenisation features a high concentration of energy released on processed liquids by a combination of fluid mechanical effects like local cavitation, turbulence, shear and impact to achieve an homogeneous particle size distribution.

The process is carried out in a special design valve, which represents the core of the homogenising process.


The passage of fluid through the minute flow passages in the valve under high pressure and controlled flow action subjects the fluid to conditions of high turbulence and shear that creates the most efficient mechanism for particle and droplet size reduction.
The GEA Niro Soavi homogenising valves are unique in carrying out the required degree of micronization (microsizing) and dispersion at the lowest possible pressure according to the application. A range of valves are available to meet different process requirements in a wide range of pressures and flow rates depending on varying properties of the fluids handled.

The effect of homogenisation

The name “homogenisation” derives from the concept of homogeneous particle size distribution achieved on a liquid applying high pressure across a special design valve.
This means that, after the process, a particle size distribution curve is much narrower than before, as particles are more or less of the same “homogeneous” size.

It is clear that the right name of our technology is “MICROSIZING” as the real effect on particles is to reduce their size to such a small level that a better product stability is achieved.

The use of high energy density fluid dynamics effect, through high pressure, microsize dispersed particles down to the order of magnitude of micrometers and nanometers depending on processed products and pressures applied in combination with suitable valve geometry.
These data are only representative of results achieved with the GEA Niro Soavi homogeniser. Their repeatability in any case depends on the plant conditions and on the product characteristics.
The High Pressure Homogeniser


The “high pressure homogeniser” is a machine consisting of a high pressure plunger type pumping section able to pump liquid products of low and high viscosity up to a defined pressure level This is combined with a specially designed adjustable valve able to create the pressure and thereby the fluid dynamics effects used to microsize the processed fluids.

For more detailed information on homogenisation and hig pressure pumps please visit the GEA Soavi website or more information by clicking here.