Apparatus and method for characterizing an interfacial property of a dispersion

Abstract

An improvement in a PVT apparatus, which improvement includes a fluid path model having a fluid path and a sampling section, wherein the depth of the fluid path within the sampling section is substantially uniform and is less than about 100 μm. The apparatus may be configured to provide a micron-scale slim tube which may be used in a manner similar to a conventional slim tube apparatus.

1 . In a PVT apparatus of the type comprising a housing defining a pressure chamber, the pressure chamber having an interior and defining a viewing plane, the viewing plane having a first side and an opposed second side such that the viewing plane is contained between the first side and the second side, further comprising a first viewing window mounted in the housing substantially parallel to the viewing plane such that the first side of the viewing plane can be viewed through the first viewing window and a second viewing window mounted in the housing substantially parallel to the viewing plane such that the second side of the viewing plane can be viewed through the second viewing window, the improvement comprising a fluid path model mounted in the interior of the pressure chamber within the viewing plane, wherein the fluid path model is comprised of a fluid path, wherein the fluid path model is further comprised of a sampling section, wherein the sampling section is comprised of at least a portion of the fluid path, wherein the fluid path within the sampling section has a substantially uniform depth in a direction substantially perpendicular to the viewing plane, and wherein the depth of the fluid path within the sampling section is less than about 100 μm. 
   
   
       2 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the fluid path within the sampling section is oriented in the housing to pass a fluid therethrough in a direction which is substantially parallel to the viewing plane. 
   
   
       3 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 2  wherein the fluid path has a width in a direction substantially parallel to the viewing plane and wherein a ratio of the width of the fluid path to the depth of the fluid path within the sampling section is at least about 100 to 1. 
   
   
       4 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 3  wherein the fluid path has a length and wherein a ratio of the length of the fluid path to the width of the fluid path is at least about 100 to 1. 
   
   
       5 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 3  wherein the fluid path has a length and wherein a ratio of the length of the fluid path to the width of the fluid path is at least about 2 to 1. 
   
   
       6 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 2  wherein at least a portion of the fluid path is comprised of a porous fluid path. 
   
   
       7 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 6  wherein the porous fluid path is defined by an arrangement of obstructions in the fluid path. 
   
   
       8 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 2  wherein the fluid path model is comprised of a first transparent layer and a second transparent layer and wherein the fluid path is defined by an interface formed between an interface surface of the first transparent layer and an interface surface of the second transparent layer. 
   
   
       9 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 8  wherein the fluid path is defined by an etching on at least one of the interface surface of the first transparent layer and the interface surface of the second transparent layer. 
   
   
       10 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 9  wherein at least a portion of the fluid path is comprised of a porous fluid path. 
   
   
       11 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 10  wherein the porous fluid path is defined by an arrangement of obstructions on at least one of the interface surface of the first transparent layer and the interface surface of the second transparent layer. 
   
   
       12 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 11  wherein the arrangement of obstructions is defined by the etching. 
   
   
       13 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 2 , further comprising a source of an electromagnetic radiation associated with the first viewing window for transmitting the electromagnetic radiation through the sampling section and a transmittance sensor associated with the second viewing window for sensing a transmittance of the electromagnetic radiation through the sampling section, and wherein the transmittance sensor is comprised of an imaging device for sensing a spatial distribution of transmittance intensity of the electromagnetic radiation through the sampling section. 
   
   
       14 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 13  wherein the imaging device is adapted to collect a set of transmittance images representing the spatial distribution of transmittance intensity of the electromagnetic radiation through the sampling section at a plurality of sampling times within a sampling time period. 
   
   
       15 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 14  wherein the imaging device is adapted to collect a plurality of sets of transmittance images. 
   
   
       16 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 15 , further comprising a memory for storing the sets of transmittance images. 
   
   
       17 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 16 , further comprising a processor for processing the sets of transmittance images in order to characterize an interfacial property of a dispersion.