Electrostatic coalescence system with independent AC and DC hydrophilic electrodes

Patent · Thu Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1981

OSTI ID:863807

Hovarongkura, A David ^[1]

---

1. Arlington, VA

An improved electrostatic coalescence system is provided in which independent AC and DC hydrophilic electrodes are employed to provide more complete dehydration of an oil emulsion. The AC field is produced between an AC electrode array and the water-oil interface wherein the AC electrode array is positioned parallel to the interface which acts as a grounded electrode. The emulsion is introduced into the AC field in an evenly distributed manner at the interface. The AC field promotes drop-drop and drop-interface coalescence of the water phase in the entering emulsion. The continuous oil phase passes upward through the perforated AC electrode array and enters a strong DC field produced between closely spaced DC electrodes in which small dispersed droplets of water entrained in the continuous phase are removed primarily by collection at hydrophilic DC electrodes. Large droplets of water collected by the electrodes migrate downward through the AC electrode array to the interface. All phase separation mechanisms are utilized to accomplish more complete phase separation.

• Research Organization: West Virginia Univ., Morgantown (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: EY-76-S-05-5105
• Assignee: United States of America as represented by United States (Washington, DC)
• Patent Number(s): US 4252631
• OSTI ID: 863807
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

electrostatic
coalescence
independent
dc
hydrophilic
electrodes
improved
provided
employed
provide
complete
dehydration
oil
emulsion
field
produced
electrode
array
water-oil
interface
positioned
parallel
grounded
introduced
distributed
manner
promotes
drop-drop
drop-interface
water
phase
entering
continuous
passes
upward
perforated
enters
strong
closely
spaced
dispersed
droplets
entrained
removed
primarily
collection
collected
migrate
downward
separation
mechanisms
utilized
accomplish
electrode array
phase separation
field produced
continuous phase
closely spaced
water phase
positioned parallel
oil phase
passes upward
grounded electrode
hydrophilic electrodes
electrostatic coalescence
dc hydrophilic
/204/