Electrostatic phase separation: a review
The current understanding and developments in the electrostatic phase separation are reviewed. The literature covers predominantly two immiscible and inter-dispersed liquids following the last review on the topic some 15 years. Electrocoalescence kinetics and governing parameters, such as the applie...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
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Elsevier
2015
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| Online Access: | https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/35895/ |
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| author | Mhatre, S. Vivacqua, V. Ghadiri, M. Abdullah, A.M. Al-Marri, M.J. Hassanpour, A. Hewakandamby, Buddhika N. Azzopardi, Barry J. Kermani, B. |
| author_facet | Mhatre, S. Vivacqua, V. Ghadiri, M. Abdullah, A.M. Al-Marri, M.J. Hassanpour, A. Hewakandamby, Buddhika N. Azzopardi, Barry J. Kermani, B. |
| author_sort | Mhatre, S. |
| building | Nottingham Research Data Repository |
| collection | Online Access |
| description | The current understanding and developments in the electrostatic phase separation are reviewed. The literature covers predominantly two immiscible and inter-dispersed liquids following the last review on the topic some 15 years. Electrocoalescence kinetics and governing parameters, such as the applied field, liquid properties, drop shape and flow, are considered. The unfavorable effects, such as chain formation and partial coalescence, are discussed in detail. Moreover, the prospects of microfluidics platforms, non-uniform fields, coalescence on the dielectric surfaces to enhance the electrocoalescence rate are also considered. In addition to the electrocoalescence in water-in-oil emulsions the research in oil-in-oil coalescence is also discussed. Finally the studies in electrocoalescer development and commercial devices are also surveyed.
The analysis of the literature reveals that the use of pulsed DC and AC electric fields is preferred over constant DC fields for efficient coalescence; but the selection of the optimum field frequency a priori is still not possible and requires further research. Some recent studies have helped to clarify important aspects of the process such as partial coalescence and drop–drop non-coalescence. On the other hand, some key phenomena such as thin film breakup and chain formation are still unclear. Some designs of inline electrocoalescers have recently been proposed; however with limited success: the inadequate knowledge of the underlying physics still prevents this technology from leaving the realm of empiricism and fully developing in one based on rigorous scientific methodology. |
| first_indexed | 2025-11-14T19:28:04Z |
| format | Article |
| id | nottingham-35895 |
| institution | University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus |
| institution_category | Local University |
| last_indexed | 2025-11-14T19:28:04Z |
| publishDate | 2015 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| recordtype | eprints |
| repository_type | Digital Repository |
| spelling | nottingham-358952020-05-04T17:07:08Z https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/35895/ Electrostatic phase separation: a review Mhatre, S. Vivacqua, V. Ghadiri, M. Abdullah, A.M. Al-Marri, M.J. Hassanpour, A. Hewakandamby, Buddhika N. Azzopardi, Barry J. Kermani, B. The current understanding and developments in the electrostatic phase separation are reviewed. The literature covers predominantly two immiscible and inter-dispersed liquids following the last review on the topic some 15 years. Electrocoalescence kinetics and governing parameters, such as the applied field, liquid properties, drop shape and flow, are considered. The unfavorable effects, such as chain formation and partial coalescence, are discussed in detail. Moreover, the prospects of microfluidics platforms, non-uniform fields, coalescence on the dielectric surfaces to enhance the electrocoalescence rate are also considered. In addition to the electrocoalescence in water-in-oil emulsions the research in oil-in-oil coalescence is also discussed. Finally the studies in electrocoalescer development and commercial devices are also surveyed. The analysis of the literature reveals that the use of pulsed DC and AC electric fields is preferred over constant DC fields for efficient coalescence; but the selection of the optimum field frequency a priori is still not possible and requires further research. Some recent studies have helped to clarify important aspects of the process such as partial coalescence and drop–drop non-coalescence. On the other hand, some key phenomena such as thin film breakup and chain formation are still unclear. Some designs of inline electrocoalescers have recently been proposed; however with limited success: the inadequate knowledge of the underlying physics still prevents this technology from leaving the realm of empiricism and fully developing in one based on rigorous scientific methodology. Elsevier 2015-04-02 Article PeerReviewed Mhatre, S., Vivacqua, V., Ghadiri, M., Abdullah, A.M., Al-Marri, M.J., Hassanpour, A., Hewakandamby, Buddhika N., Azzopardi, Barry J. and Kermani, B. (2015) Electrostatic phase separation: a review. Chemical Engineering Research and Design, 96 . pp. 177-195. ISSN 0263-8762 Electrocoalescence; Phase separation; Emulsion break-up; Crude oil treatment http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0263876215000453 doi:10.1016/j.cherd.2015.02.012 doi:10.1016/j.cherd.2015.02.012 |
| spellingShingle | Electrocoalescence; Phase separation; Emulsion break-up; Crude oil treatment Mhatre, S. Vivacqua, V. Ghadiri, M. Abdullah, A.M. Al-Marri, M.J. Hassanpour, A. Hewakandamby, Buddhika N. Azzopardi, Barry J. Kermani, B. Electrostatic phase separation: a review |
| title | Electrostatic phase separation: a review |
| title_full | Electrostatic phase separation: a review |
| title_fullStr | Electrostatic phase separation: a review |
| title_full_unstemmed | Electrostatic phase separation: a review |
| title_short | Electrostatic phase separation: a review |
| title_sort | electrostatic phase separation: a review |
| topic | Electrocoalescence; Phase separation; Emulsion break-up; Crude oil treatment |
| url | https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/35895/ https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/35895/ https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/35895/ |