Kinetics of emulsification of dodecane in the absence and presence of nonionic surfactants

The effect of a nonylphenol polyethylene glycol ether (Tergitol NP-4) and a PEO/PPO/PEO type triblock copolymer (Pluronic L-61) surfactants on the emulsification of dodecane oil was investigated. The oil was emulsified in a standard mixing tank at different stirrer speeds. Kinetics of emulsification of dodecane with nonionic surfactants was measured by droplet size distribution of dodecane as a function of time. A phenomenological model was used to analyze the kinetics of emulsification. The results showed that the breakage of oil droplet in the mixing tank was accelerated in the presence of nonionic surfactants acting as emulsifiers. The mechanism of the breakage was explained in terms of reduction of interfacial tension by the adsorption of surfactants the liquid/oil interface. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.