Extending Applications of High-Pressure Homogenization by Using Simultaneous Emulsification and Mixing (SEM)-An Overview

Conventional high-pressure homogenization (HPH) is widely used in the pharmaceutical, chemical, and food industries among others. In general, its aim is to produce micron or sub-micron scale emulsions with excellent product characteristics. However, its energy consumption is still very high. Additionally, several limitations and boundaries impede the usage of high-pressure homogenization for special products such as particle loaded or highly concentrated systems. This article gives an overviewof approaches that have been used in order to improve the conventional high-pressure homogenization process. Emphasis is put on the ` Simultaneous Emulsification and Mixing' process that has been developed to broaden the application areas of high-pressure homogenization.