Development Of The New Gaulin Micro-Gap™ Homogenizing Valve

Abstract Since invention of the first homogenizing valve, attempts have been made to design a valve that could generate the smallest average globule size with the least expenditure of energy. Many attempts have failed because the efficiency at low flow rates was not maintained when a design was scaled up to handle higher flow rates. By examining optimum conditions of homogenization and by carefully scaling up the design while maintaining these ideal flow conditions, researchers at Gaulin developed a homogenizing valve (Micro-Gap Valve) that is, at a minimum, 30% more efficient than any conventional valve at high flow rates. The valve geometry has a short travel distance or land, maintains a small gap, and utilizes the optimum back pressure for highest efficiency. Homogenization energy is concentrated into a thin film and volume of fluid, generating a large energy density. This is accomplished by splitting the flow into several parts by stacked valves. This design has been scaled successfully to handle flow rates of 10,000 gal (37,854 liters)/h while maintaining exceptional homogenizing efficiency.