Glossary
Emulsification processes – Techniques and equipment

Capacité thermique; heat capacity

A quantity that measures the heat that must be transferred to a body to raise its temperature by one kelvin. Conversely, it quantifies the body's ability to absorb or release heat during a transformation in which its temperature varies. Formerly known as "heat capacity", it is expressed in joules per kelvin (J.K^-1). It is an extensive quantity: a molar heat capacity (expressed in J.K^-1.mol^-1) and a mass heat capacity (expressed in J.K^-1.kg^-1) can be defined. The ratio of isobaric and isochoric heat capacities is the adiabatic index (Laplace coefficient): γ = C_p/C_v.

HLB; hydrophilic-lipophilic balance

The HLB (hydrophilic/lipophilic balance) is a characteristic parameter of a surfactant, quantitatively expressing its affinity for water: the higher its value, the greater...