Abstract
The development of an efficient electrostatic coalescer for the demulsification step is highly desirable in the practical application of the liquid surfactant membrane process. In this study, demulsification experiments with W/O emulsions were carried out by application of pulsed DC high potential. The effects of operating conditions such as the applied potential and forming conditions of W/O emulsions on the demulsification rate were investigated.
The present method of applying high DC electric potential was found to be very effective in the breaking of W/O emulsion. The fundamental information obtained here is usable for developing a continuous demulsification apparatus.
