Technology
High pressure homogenization process pumps are able to deliver 100-300 MPa hydrostatic pressure to a liquid before any restriction to flow is imposed, regardless of the flow rate. Current industrial, pilot, and lab-scale high pressure homogenizers are equipped with plunger-like pumps and valves, or nozzles, or chambers made from abrasion-resistant ceramics or hard gemstones. There are mainly three traits that characterize effective homogenization: cavitation (FIG. A), impact (FIG. B), and shear. The valves, nozzles, or chambers possess one or a combination of these traits. (Adapted from http://web.utk.edu/~fede/high pressure homogenization.html)

Three-Types Homogenizing Mechanism in History
Selection Guide for Chamber Types
Type of Chamber | Cavitation Nozzle (FIG. A) | Impact Valve (FIG. B) | Y-Type Chamber (FIG. C) |
Application | High viscosity liquid, suspension or paste |
Food, Beverage | Pharmaceutical Emulsion, Nanoparticles |
Advantage | Old Style | Use for Food | High Efficay |

Three-Types Homogenizing Mechanism in History
The Y-Type Interaction Chamber (FIG. C), regarded as one of the most powerful chambers to date, has been used by several manufacturers, including Microfluidics (Y-Type Interaction Chamber), Avestin (Static Homogenizing Valve) and Nanomizer (Collision-Type Generator). In these systems, the flow stream is split into two channels that are redirected over the same plane at right angles and propelled into a single flow stream. High pressure promotes a high speed at the crossover of the two flows, which results in high shear, turbulence, and cavitation over the single outbound flow stream.
The Y-Type Chamber is generally made of two blocks of diamond or ceramic with a very small opening (nozzle) of Φ50~400μm. Two block-forming members are first ground and lapped to be optically flat, and then grooves corresponding to the desired sizes and shapes are etched into the face of each block in a precisely aligned manner.Homogenization energy is concentrated at the collision point where the liquid streams collide in the internal drain. (Adapted from www.nanomizer.co.jp)

The Y-Type Chamber is generally made of two blocks of diamond or ceramic with a very small opening (nozzle) of Φ50~400μm. Two block-forming members are first ground and lapped to be optically flat, and then grooves corresponding to the desired sizes and shapes are etched into the face of each block in a precisely aligned manner.Homogenization energy is concentrated at the collision point where the liquid streams collide in the internal drain. (Adapted from www.nanomizer.co.jp)

Y-Type Chamber made by two blocks of optically flat disk
The Y-Type Interaction Chamber (FIG. C), regarded as one of the most powerful chambers to date, has been used by several manufacturers, including Microfluidics (Y-Type Interaction Chamber), Avestin (Static Homogenizing Valve) and Nanomizer (Collision-Type Generator). In these systems, the flow stream is split into two channels that are redirected over the same plane at right angles and propelled into a single flow stream. High pressure promotes a high speed at the crossover of the two flows, which results in high shear, turbulence, and cavitation over the single outbound flow stream.
The Y-Type Chamber is generally made of two blocks of diamond or ceramic with a very small opening (nozzle) of Φ50~400μm. Two block-forming members are first ground and lapped to be optically flat, and then grooves corresponding to the desired sizes and shapes are etched into the face of each block in a precisely aligned manner.Homogenization energy is concentrated at the collision point where the liquid streams collide in the internal drain. (Adapted from www.nanomizer.co.jp)
The Y-Type Chamber is generally made of two blocks of diamond or ceramic with a very small opening (nozzle) of Φ50~400μm. Two block-forming members are first ground and lapped to be optically flat, and then grooves corresponding to the desired sizes and shapes are etched into the face of each block in a precisely aligned manner.Homogenization energy is concentrated at the collision point where the liquid streams collide in the internal drain. (Adapted from www.nanomizer.co.jp)
PRESSURE AND CHAMBER SELECTION FOR VARIOUS APPLICATIONS with NANOGENIZER
Cells | Mammalian cell![]() |
Insect cell![]() |
Bacteria cell![]() |
Yeast cell![]() |
Algae cell![]() |
SPore![]() |
Sample | CHO|Hela | Sf9|Sf21|H5 | E. Coli | Yeast | Green algaea | Ganoderma |
Pressure | 600-800bar 8500-11500psi | 600-1000bar 8500-14500psi | 800-1000bar 11500-14500psi | 1200-1400bar 17500-20000psi | 1200-1500bar 7500-21500psi | 1300-1600bar 18500-23000psi |
Chamber | F20Y, F20Y-RT | F20Y, F20Y-RT | F20Y, F20Y-RT | F20Y, F12Y | F20Y, F12Y | F20Y, F12Y |
Emulsions | Oil in water emulsions![]() |
Water in oil emulsions![]() |
Oil emulsion![]() |
Food![]() |
Liposome (o/w)![]() |
Liposome (w/o)![]() |
Sample | Fat emulsion| Prostaglandin | Cosmetics | Dimethicone|Fuel | Milk | Doxorubicin | DNA|lipopolyplex |
Pressure | ~20,000psi | ~10,000psi | ~20,000psi | ~10,000psi | ~20,000psi | ~8,000psi |
Chamber | F20Y, F12Y | F20Y | F20Y, F12Y | F20Y | F20Y, F12Y | F20Y |
Dispersions | Pigments![]() |
Drugs/Creams![]() |
Battery![]() |
Particle aggregation![]() |
Graphene![]() |
Nanotubes![]() |
Sample | Inks, Coatings | Norfloxacin, Isoxyl | Lithium/Solar cell | Nano fibril | Graphene | Carbon Nanotubes |
Pressure | ~20,000psi | ~20,000psi | ~20,000psi | ~25,000psi | ~50,000psi (single layer) |
>20,000psi |
Chamber | F20Y, F12Y | F20Y, F12Y | F20Y, F12Y | F20Y, F12Y | F20Y, F12Y | F20Y, F12Y |