Electrocoalescence of W/O emulsions in electric fields generated by matrix electrodes

Waste oil resource treatment can avoid its pollution of the ecological environment, in which the demulsification and dehydration of water-in-oil (W/O) emulsions is crucial for waste oil resource treatment. Electrocoalescence technology has been attracting much attention as a fast-developing emulsion breaking and separation technology with a short development time. In this study, a non-uniform matrix electrode structure is proposed, the effects of a non-uniform matrix electrode on emulsion demulsification and dehydration are investigated experimentally, and the relative benefits of a matrix electrode and a traditional electrode structure are compared and analyzed. According to experimental results, the matrix electrode's dehydration effectiveness at U = 1000 V was 1.59 and 1.29 times greater than that of the parallel plate and coaxial cylindrical electrodes, respectively. The best electric field parameter setting was U = 1100 V, f = 2500 Hz, and δ = 0.5. After electrocoalescence, the water content was 0.60 % and the dehydration efficiency was 94.00 %. This work presents innovative ideas for the design of small and efficient electric coalescers as well as beneficial information for selecting the right electric field parameter. It is conducive to optimizing the resourceful recycling and treatment technology of W/O waste oil.