Arranging interaction and back pressure chambers for microfluidization

Abstract

An improved method for the manufacture of an oil-in-water emulsion comprises using a microfluidisation device whose interaction chamber comprises a plurality of Z-type channels upstream of a back pressure chamber.

1 . A microfluidization apparatus comprising an interaction chamber comprising at least one intensifier pump, and a back pressure chamber, wherein the interaction chamber and the back pressure chamber both comprise a plurality of fixed geometry channels and wherein the back pressure chamber is located downstream of the interaction chamber. 
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the channels in the interaction chamber include a plurality of substantially right-angled corners. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the channels in the interaction chamber include two substantially right-angled corners. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the fixed geometry of the channels in the interaction chamber is Z-type geometry. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the interaction chamber provides a shear rate in excess of 1×10 6  s −1 . 
     
     
         6 . A method for the manufacture of an oil-in-water emulsion comprising the step of passing a first emulsion having a first average oil droplet size through a microfluidization apparatus according to  claim 1 .