A Method for the Segregation of Emulsion Inner Phase Droplets Using Imbibition Process in Porous Material

The process of forming an emulsion is an energy-consuming process. The smaller the internal phase droplets we want to produce and the closer the droplets are in size to each other (monodisperse), the more energy we need to put into the system. Generating energy carries a high economic cost, as well as a high environmental footprint. Considering the fact that dispersive systems are widely used in various fields of life, it is necessary to search for other, less-energy-intensive methods that will allow the creation of dispersive systems with adequate performance and minimal energy input. Therefore, an alternative way to obtain emulsions characterized by small droplet sizes was proposed by using an imbibition process in porous materials. By applying this technique, it was possible to obtain average droplet sizes at least half the size of the base emulsion while reducing the polydispersity by about 40%. Oil-in-water emulsions in which vegetable oil or kerosene is the oily phase were tested. The studies were carried out at three different volume concentrations of the emulsions. Detailed analyses of diameter distributions and emulsion concentrations are presented. In addition, the advantages and limitations of the method are presented and the potential for its application is indicated.

Nanoemulsions: A Versatile Technology for Oil and Gas Applications

Nanoemulsions (NEs) are kinetically stable emulsions with droplet size on the order of 100 nm. Many unique properties of NEs, such as stability and rheology, have attracted considerable attention in the oil industry. Here, we review applications and studies of NEs for major upstream operations, highlighting useful properties of NEs, synthesis to render these properties, and techniques to characterize them. We identify specific challenges associated with large-scale applications of NEs and directions for future studies. We first summarize useful and unique properties of NEs, mostly arising from the small droplet size. Then, we compare different methods to prepare NEs based on the magnitude of input energy, i.e., low-energy and high-energy methods. In addition, we review techniques to characterize properties of NEs, such as droplet size, volume fraction of the dispersed phase, and viscosity. Furthermore, we discuss specific applications of NEs in four areas of upstream operations, i.e., enhanced oil recovery, drilling/completion, flow assurance, and stimulation. Finally, we identify challenges to economically tailor NEs with desired properties for large-scale upstream applications and propose possible solutions to some of these challenges. NEs are kinetically stable due to their small droplet size (submicron to 100 nm). Within this size range, the rate of major destabilizing mechanisms, such as coalescence, flocculation, and Ostwald ripening, is considerably slowed down. In addition, small droplet size yields large surface-to-volume ratio, optical transparency, high diffusivity, and controllable rheology. Similar to applications in other fields (food industry, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, etc.), the oil and gas industry can also benefit from these useful properties of NEs. Proposed functions of NEs include delivering chemicals, conditioning wellbore/reservoir conditions, and improve chemical compatibility. Therefore, we envision NEs as a versatile technology that can be applied in a variety of upstream operations. Upstream operations often target a wide range of physical and chemical conditions and are operated at different time scales. More importantly, these operations typically consume a large amount of materials. These facts not only suggest efforts to rationally engineer properties of NEs in upstream applications, but also manifest the importance to economically optimize such efforts for large-scale operations. We summarize studies and applications of NEs in upstream operations in the oil and gas industry. We review useful properties of NEs that benefit upstream applications as well as techniques to synthesize and characterize NEs. More importantly, we identify challenges and opportunities in engineering NEs for large-scale operations in different upstream applications. This work not only focuses on scientific aspects of synthesizing NEs with desired properties but also emphasizes engineering and economic consideration that is important in the oil industry.

Recent Applications of Nanoemulsion Based Drug Delivery System: A Review

Nanoemulsions are drug transporters for the delivery of therapeutic agents. They possess the small droplet size having the range of 20×10-9-200×10-9m. The main purpose of using Nanoemulsion is to enhance the drug bio- availability of transdermal drug delivery system. With the help of phase diagram, we can select the components of nanoemulsion depending upon formulas ratio of oil phase, surfactant/co-surfactant and water phase. Nanoemulsion directly used as a topical drug delivery in skin organs. The most useable pharmaceutical application has been developed till date to provide systemic effects to penetrating the full thickness of skin organ layer nanoemulsions can be administered through variety of routes such as percutaneous, perioral, topical, transdermal, ocular and parental administration of medicaments. Nanoemulsions are transparent and slightly opalescent. Nanoemulsion can be prepared through various methods. Nanoemulsions are transparent and slightly opalescent. Factor affecting nanoemulsions are surfactant, viscosity, lipophilic, drug content, pH, concentration of each component, and methodology of formulation. It is unfeasible to test all factors at the various levels. Design of formulation when it comes to experimental design it gives an excellent approach through reducing the time and money.

Stabilization and Release of Palm Tocotrienol Emulsion Fabricated Using pH-Sensitive Calcium Carbonate

Calcium carbonate (CaCO3) has been utilized as a pH-responsive component in various products. In this present work, palm tocotrienols-rich fraction (TRF) was successfully entrapped in a self-assembled oil-in-water (O/W) emulsion system by using CaCO3 as the stabilizer. The emulsion droplet size, viscosity and tocotrienols entrapment efficiency (EE) were strongly affected by varying the processing (homogenization speed and time) and formulation (CaCO3 and TRF concentrations) parameters. Our findings indicated that the combination of 5000 rpm homogenization speed, 15 min homogenization time, 0.75% CaCO3 concentration and 2% TRF concentration resulted in a high EE of tocotrienols (92.59–99.16%) and small droplet size (18.83 ± 1.36 µm). The resulting emulsion system readily released the entrapped tocotrienols across the pH range tested (pH 1–9); with relatively the highest release observed at pH 3. The current study presents a potential pH-sensitive emulsion system for the entrapment and delivery of palm tocotrienols.

Development, Characterization and Evaluation of Nanoemulgel Used for Treatment of Skin Disorders

Abstract:: The outer layer of skin and underlying soft layer of tissues have been infected by several infections locally. Infection on local tissue can be overcome by administration of various topical formulations such as nanoemulgel, niosomal gel, liposomal gel etc. For obtaining the significant effect of drug delivery, nanoemulgel exhibits high intensity of activity locally. Emulsion with uniform and extremely small droplet size in the range of 20-200 nm is referred as nanoemulsion. The emulsion may be oil in water or water in oil type. This system can improve the permeation of drug substances through the skin. Nanoemulsion incorporated into a gel base to form Nanoemulgel and can improve the permeation of drug sub-stances through the skin. Nanoemulgel acts as a promising carrier of intense amount of permitted drugs to produce their effect topically. Efficient adhesion property and immense solubilising of drug in oil or water phase leads to larger concen-tration gradient towards the skin that further increase the penetration of drug substances through skin. This study provides useful insights on the utilisation of nanoemulgel to provide a better and effective drug delivery tool for the topical system.

Measurement of small droplet aerosol concentrations in public spaces using handheld particle counters

We investigate the role of aerosols in the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in public spaces. Direct measurement of aerosol concentrations however has proven technically difficult; we propose the use of handheld particle counters as a novel and easily applicable method to measure aerosol concentrations. This allow us to perform measurements in typical public spaces, each differing in volume, number of people and ventilation rate. These data are used to estimate the relation between aerosol persistence time and the risk of infection with SARS-CoV-2.