CTS-9911954 C. A. Miller Rice University
A study of equilibrium an dynamic effects in systems containing liquid triglycerides is proposed to provide fundamental understanding relevant to emulsions, microemulsions, and especially foams containing these Renewable oils. Phase behavior studies would include use of surfactants such as those with propylene oxide chains, which show promise of solubilizing long-chain liquid triglycerides and forming microemulsions.
A major emphasis of the proposed research is study of the effect of triglycerides on foam stability. Because these effects are important both in dishwashing, where stability is desirable, and in the operation of horizontal-axis washing machines, where it is undesirable, the proposed work would be conducted in collaboration with Shell Chemical Company as a GOALI project. It includes both a systematic study designed to identify surfactant structures producing forms most or least sensitive to destabilization by triglycerides and direct observations with the Particle Vision Measurement apparatus and with videomicroscopy to obtain an improved fundamental understanding of the mechanism by which liquid and solid triglycerides destabilize foam.
