In this paper,calcium alginate gel beads were prepared through a homemade microcapsule preparation system with multi-nozzles under forced high-voltage electrostatic field.The effect of operation parameters on the large-scale preparation of gel beads was analyzed.The results showed that the air pressure of feed was the decisive factor affecting the size and yield of gel beads,and the size distribution was dependent on several factors including the distribution of electric field,pulse potential,air pressure of feed,pulse frequency,pulse width and threshold potential.The gel beads with good sphericity,smooth surface and low dispersivity(CV<20%)can be prepared by adjusting and optimizing above parameters.It is more important that the yield of gel beads by the microcapsule preparation system is 20—40 folds higher than the traditional electrostatic droplet generator,which makes it possible to realize the large-scale preparation of gel beads.
