Preparation of W/O emulsions by membrane emulsification with a mullite ceramic membrane

Monodispersed W/O emulsions were prepared by using submerged membrane emulsification apparatus with a mullite ceramic membrane. Kerosene was used as the continuous phase and water was used as the dispersed phase. The effects of stirring speed and transmembrane pressure on droplet size and dispersed flux were studied. The droplet size of the emulsions decreased with increased stirring speed but increased with increasing transmembrane pressure. The flux of the dispersed phase was proportional to transmembrane pressure, decreased with increasing stirring speed at a low transmembrane pressure and increased slightly at a high transmembrane pressure. The effect of pre-soaking time on the emulsification result was also investigated.