The Electrostatic Destabilisation Of Water-In-Oil Emulsions In Turbulent Flow

An emulsion of water droplets in gas oil at concentrations of 0.9% and 4.5% flowing turbulently is subjected to an intense electric field applied via insulated electrodes. Water droplet size is increased by coalescence induced by both electrostatic and turbulence forces. An optimum applied field is observed, above which re-emulsification occurs. The dependence of coalescence on electric field strength and exposure time to the electric field is shown.