In this paper, a focused beam reflectance method is used to investigate the evolution of dispersed droplets at various dispersed volume fractions for an Exxsol D80 mineral oil-water dispersion in a stirring tank. Two types of inversion experiments are compared, the direct and continuous mixing of the oil-water phases. The number density of the chord lengths and distributions are identified as the main parameters for comparison. The drop coalescence is dominant slightly before inversion, at which point the measured mean square weighted (Sqr-wt) chord length increases significantly. The way of mixing will also influence the effect of drop coalescence and result in different inversion processes. (c) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.