ELECTROACOUSTIC METHOD FOR MONITORING THE COALESCENCE OF WATER-IN-OIL EMULSIONS

Ultrasound vibration potential which involves the application of an ultrasonic field and the detection of an electric field, was a well suited technique for electrokinetic measurements of colloidal systems in non-polar and non-transparent media. The technique was used to monitor the rate and extent of coalescence in water-in-crude oil emulsions. The effect of water content, demulsifier type and concentration was studied. The change in ultrasonic vibration signal correlated well with the results from centrifugation and photomicrography which were also used to follow the demulsification process. The results also showed that the use of a combination of a demulsifier and a surfactant was more effective in separation than the individual chemicals. © 1990.