This study uses a model-based design approach (CFD coupled to well-established emulsification correlations) to investigate how to choose the valve dimensions of a high-pressure homogenizer so as to achieve intensified drop breakup without increasing the power consumption. Results show how design modifications influence the thermodynamic efficiency of the homogenizer via two effects, a friction factor and a factor related to how high a dissipation rate of turbulent kinetic energy that the design delivers in the centre of the jet. By simple design modifications, thermodynamic efficiency can be increased by 4 % (compared to a representative contemporary valve design) by decreasing the inlet chamber angle, and an additional 5 % by carefully adjusting the outlet chamber angles so as to ensure that the jet exits the gap free of the wall, but then bends and re-attaches to the wall further downstream. The modifications are predicted to allow for achieving the same resulting drop size but with a 17 % lower power draw, compared to a standard contemporary valve, or alternatively a smaller resulting drop diameter at constant power draw.

本研究使用基于模型的设计方法（CFD 与完善的乳化相关性相结合）来研究如何选择高压均质器的阀门尺寸，以便在不增加功耗的情况下实现强化液滴破碎。结果表明，设计修改如何通过两种效应影响均化器的热力学效率：摩擦系数和与设计在射流中心提供的湍流动能耗散率有多高相关的系数。通过简单的设计修改，通过减小入口室角度，热力学效率可提高 4%（与当代代表性阀门设计相比），通过仔细调整出口室角度可额外提高 5%，以确保射流从入口处排出。与墙壁的间隙，但随后弯曲并重新附着到下游的墙壁上。与标准当代阀门相比，预计这些修改将实现相同的最终液滴尺寸，但功耗降低 17%，或者在恒定功耗下获得更小的最终液滴直径。