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Electric fields generated by static charges, often referred to as electrostatic fields, are characteristically different from electric fields created by time-varying magnetic fields. While the former is a conservative field, implying that no net work is done on a test charge if it goes around in a complete loop in the field, the latter is, by definition, not a conservative field; net work is done, and it is proportional to the rate of change of magnetic flux.
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The Preparation of Electrohydrodynamic Bridges from Polar Dielectric Liquids
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Emulsions in external electric fields.

Johan Sjöblom1, Sameer Mhatre2, Sébastien Simon1

  • 1Ugelstad Laboratory, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, 7491 Trondheim, Norway.

Advances in Colloid and Interface Science
|June 8, 2021
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

This review explores electrocoalescence for separating water-in-crude oil emulsions. It details how electric fields influence molecular interactions and droplet behavior, enhancing separation efficiency with chemical demulsifiers.

Keywords:
Chemical demulsifiersCrude-oil EmulsionsDehydrationDemulsificationDissipative particle dynamics (DPD)ElectrocoalescenceLow-field nuclear magnetic resonance (LF-NMR)Phase separation

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Area of Science:

  • Petroleum Engineering
  • Colloid and Surface Science
  • Electrochemistry

Background:

  • Crude oil production generates water-in-oil emulsions requiring separation before export.
  • Traditional separation methods use gravity settlers, chemical demulsifiers, and sometimes electrocoalescers.
  • Understanding electrocoalescence mechanisms is crucial for efficient emulsion treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the effects of electric fields on water-in-crude oil emulsion separation at various scales.
  • To elucidate the molecular and macroscopic mechanisms of electrocoalescence.
  • To discuss experimental and simulation techniques for emulsion characterization and treatment.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of electrocoalescence principles and applications.
  • Analysis of experimental results on interfacial phenomena, droplet interactions, and emulsion resolution.
  • Dissipative Particle Dynamics (DPD) simulations to model thin film behavior and molecular interactions.
  • Low-field Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (LF-NMR) for emulsion characterization (droplet size distribution, brine profile).

Main Results:

  • Electric fields influence asphaltene adsorption via electrohydrodynamic (EHD) flows.
  • DPD simulations reveal pore formation in thin films due to DC fields, influenced by surfactant/demulsifier molecular structure.
  • LF-NMR effectively determines emulsion features and their evolution during treatment with demulsifiers and electric fields.
  • Commercial electrocoalescers like VIEC and CEC are described.

Conclusions:

  • Electrocoalescence offers a powerful method for water-in-crude oil emulsion separation.
  • Electric fields play a significant role at molecular and macroscopic levels, affecting interfacial properties and droplet coalescence.
  • Advanced simulation and experimental techniques provide detailed insights into electrocoalescence mechanisms and optimize treatment processes.