What Kind Of Ultrasonic Homogenizer Should Be Used For Petroleum Emulsification?
Mar 20, 2026
For petroleum emulsification, insertion-type (probe-type) ultrasonic homogenizers are preferred, with core parameters including a 20kHz frequency, high power/high sound intensity, and a titanium alloy probe. The model should be matched according to the experimental/pilot-scale/mass production scale.
I. Equipment Type and Selection Core
1. Preferred Model: Insertion (Probe Type) Ultrasonic Homogenizer
Principle: A titanium alloy probe is directly immersed in the material, generating a strong cavitation effect that breaks up oil droplets and disperses them evenly. Suitable for O/W, W/O, and heavy oil emulsification.
Advantages: High energy utilization, strong cavitation intensity, controllable particle size (down to nanometer level), good stability, suitable for continuous/batch production.
Not Recommended: Washing Tank Type (energy dispersion, weak cavitation, only suitable for small-batch premixing).
II. Selection Scheme by Scale
1. Laboratory R&D (Small-scale, mL–L level)
Recommended Models: RPS-SONO28 (500W, 28kHz), RPS-SONO20 (1000W, 20kHz).
Applications: Formulation optimization, emulsifier screening, stability testing, parameter exploration.
Configuration: Temperature control probe, pulse mode, adjustable amplitude, small-capacity reactor.
2. Pilot-scale Scale-up (10–500L/h)
Recommended Models: RPS-SONO20-3000 (3kW), RPS-SONO20-2000 (2kW).
Applications: Process validation, continuous production testing, cost accounting.
Configuration: Circulation piping, cooling jacket, flow control, online particle size monitoring.
3. Industrial Mass Production (≥500L/h)
Recommended Models: RPS-SONO3in1- (9kW), RPS-SONO4in1 (1.2kW), multi-probe parallel system.
Applications: Fuel oil emulsification, crude oil viscosity reduction, oil-based/water-based drilling fluids, oily wastewater treatment.
Configuration: Explosion-proof design (ATEX), automatic temperature control, PLC control, multi-stage emulsification, online filtration.
III. Key Configuration Points for Petroleum Emulsification:
Explosion-proof and Safety: Flammable and explosive oils must be selected with explosion-proof type (Ex d/ib), electrical isolation, and grounding protection.
Cooling System: High power/long-term operation requires jacketed cooling/external circulation cooling to control oil temperature ≤70℃.
Probe Structure: Use stepped/exponential amplitude transformer + serrated/porous emulsifying head to enhance cavitation and shearing.
Continuous: Material Pumping → Multi-stage Ultrasonic Chamber → Cooling → Discharge, suitable for large-scale production.