What is a high pressure homogenizer?
A high pressure homogenizer, also called a high pressure homogenizer pump or pump homogenizer, is a machine for particle sizes in the nano range. It is also written high pressure homogeniser.
Wahal's high-pressure homogenizer pumps are used in laboratories and in industry, in food and pharmaceutical production and in biotechnology.
A high-pressure homogenizer works best when it is fed a uniform, fine premix. A high shear homogenizer makes that premix, so the two machines are often used together.
High pressure homogenizer vs high shear homogenizer
Both are called homogenizers, but they do different jobs. Wahal builds both.
| Feature | High shear homogenizer (rotor-stator) | High pressure homogenizer |
|---|---|---|
| How it works | A rotor spinning inside a close-fitting stator shears the product | A high-pressure pump homogenizer |
| What it achieves | Fine emulsions and dispersions; particle size set by the stator design and the number of stages | Particle sizes in the nano range |
| Typical uses | Emulsifying, dispersing, dissolving, wetting powders, particle size reduction, premixing | Milk products, cell disruption, infusion solutions, micro-fibrillated cellulose, microemulsions |
| Solids and powders | Handles them; also breaks agglomerates and disintegrates hard solids | Works best with an already uniform, fine premix |
| Wahal range | Inline, batch, bottom-mounted and laboratory models | This page |
See our full range of high shear homogenizers and mixers.
High pressure homogenizer vs inline homogenizer
An inline homogenizer shears the product between a rotor and a stator and pumps it at the same time. A high-pressure homogenizer is a pump homogenizer for particle sizes in the nano range, such as in milk products. It works best when fed a uniform, fine premix. We make both. See our inline homogenizers.
High pressure homogenizer vs colloid mill and bead mill
A colloid mill and a bead mill are two more machines that make products finer. They also do different jobs.
| Machine | How it works | Fineness | Typical products |
|---|---|---|---|
| High pressure homogenizer | A high-pressure pump homogenizer | Nano range | Milk products, cell disruption, infusion solutions, microemulsions |
| Colloid mill | The product is sheared in the narrow gap between the polished surfaces of a high-speed rotor and a fixed stator | A few micrometres; down to 0.5 µm with our multi-stage mill on bitumen emulsion | Emulsions, suspensions and pastes: food, pharma, cosmetics, chemicals, bitumen emulsion |
| Bead mill | Grinding beads, driven by an agitator in the grinding chamber, grind the solids | Up to 1 micron, or 50–500 nm | Water- and solvent-based slurries: paints, inks, coatings, food, pharma |
Which one fits your product
- Powders to disperse or dissolve, or continuous inline processing from 15 to 200,000 L/hr: a high shear homogenizer.
- Pastes, emulsions and suspensions that must come out fine and uniform: a colloid mill.
- Solids to grind to the nano range in paints, inks and coatings: a bead mill.
- Nano-range emulsions such as milk products: a high-pressure homogenizer.
A rotor-stator homogenizer can prepare the premix. For the nano range, add a high-pressure homogenizer.
High pressure homogenizer applications
A high-pressure homogenizer is used in the food and pharmaceutical industries and in biotechnology, where particle sizes in the nano range have to be achieved.
- Homogenizing milk products. In our ice cream process the mix is pasteurized and then homogenized, usually by passing it through a high-pressure homogenizer, before it is aged. See the ice cream process. In our protein-based drinks plant, for fortified milk, lassi, yogurt drinks and buttermilk, the homogenizer breaks down fat globules and disperses the protein evenly, for uniform particle size, better texture and long shelf-life.
- Cell disruption in biotechnology. In our microalgae lines, high-pressure homogenization or bead milling under temperature control gives controlled, repeatable cell disruption. See the phycocyanin extraction plant and bead milling for cell disruption.
- Production of infusion solutions.
- Production of micro-fibrillated celluloses.
- Production of all types of microemulsions.
High pressure homogenizer manufacturer in India
Wahal Engineers manufactures high pressure homogenizer machines, bead mills, high shear mixers, agitators and process vessels in-house in Sonipat, India. Our factory is in Murthal, Sonipat, Haryana.
The pumps come in sizes from laboratory to industry. Tell us your product, batch size and target result and we will recommend a machine.
Test your product before you buy
There is no better way of testing a machine than on your own product. You can run a trial in our fully equipped laboratory and see what end results you get and how fast. If you want to keep a machine for longer, our rental program lets you keep it as long as you need, pre-configured to your requirements, with expert process guidance and ongoing support. See trials and rentals.
Frequently asked questions
What is a high pressure homogenizer?
It is a pump homogenizer for particle sizes in the nano range. It is used for homogenizing milk products, cell disruption, infusion solutions, micro-fibrillated cellulose and microemulsions, and it works best when fed a uniform, fine premix.
What is a homogenizer pump?
On our site, a homogenizer pump is the high-pressure pump homogenizer described on this page, for the nano range. A rotor-stator inline homogenizer also moves the product itself, but it is a different machine; see our inline homogenizers.
What is the difference between a high pressure homogenizer and a high shear homogenizer?
A high shear homogenizer shears the product between a rotor and a stator, and it handles powders and solids. A high-pressure homogenizer reaches the nano range, for example for milk products and cell disruption, and works best with an already uniform, fine premix. The two are often used together.
What particle size does a high pressure homogenizer reach?
The nano range. For comparison, a colloid mill brings particles and droplets down to a few micrometres, and a bead mill reaches up to 1 micron, or 50–500 nm.
Is a high pressure homogenizer the same as a colloid mill?
No. A colloid mill shears the product in the narrow gap between two polished surfaces. A high-pressure homogenizer is a different machine again: a pump homogenizer for the nano range. See our colloid mill.
Which is better for cell disruption, a high pressure homogenizer or a bead mill?
It depends on the species, product and scale. High-pressure homogenization and bead milling are both widely used at industrial scale. We recommend trials on your biomass to choose the method and operating conditions.
Does a high pressure homogenizer need a premix?
It works best when fed a uniform, fine premix. A high shear homogenizer produces that premix.
What sizes of high pressure homogenizer pump are available?
Our pumps range from laboratory to industrial sizes. Send us your product, batch size and target result and we will recommend a machine.
Can I test my product before buying?
Yes. You can run a trial on your own product in our fully equipped laboratory, and a rental program lets you keep a machine for as long as you need. See trials and rentals.
