Solving Emulsion Problems

09 April 2004

Emulsion problems in liquid-liquid extractions can often be solved by operating at higher temperatures. In the work-up of biocatalytic processes, emulsions can be a problem, but solutions are not so easy. Workers at Hofmann-LaRoche in Switzerland suggest the use of a Westfalia separator to continuously centrifuge the mixture and remove the emulsion. This technique is widely used in the food and drink industry. The disk-stack separators can separate two immiscible liquids from a solid phase. For more details see chapter 5 by B Wirz et al in "Asymmetric Catalysis on Industrial Scale" edited by H U Blaser and E Schmidt, Wiley VCH, 2004 , 454 pp, ISBN 3-527-30631-5, price £115.