A Method of Continuous Phase Separation of Water in Oil Emulsion by Applying D. C. Electric Field

Abstract

Flow equipment for phase separation of water-in-oil emulsion by D.C. electric field was developed. The effects of various factors on the separation were examined experimentally by the system of Kerosene-Span 80 (surfactant) -NaCl aqueous solution.
High separation efficiency and stable continuous-phase separation of the raw liquids (30-50 vol % water-in-oil emulsion) were obtained satisfactorily when the flow rate of the liquids supplied into the electric field was low. It was also confirmed experimentally that the demulsified oil phase is available repeatedly.