Falling, deformation, and coalescence of droplet in model waxy oil under an electric field

Abstract

Electrocoalescence technology can efficiently dehydrate waxy crude oil but the mechanisms are still unclear. Herein, the continuous microscopic behaviors of droplet falling, deformation, and coalescence were experimentally investigated to clarify the dynamic response mechanism of droplet in waxy oil under an electric field. The results showed the droplet falling under both gravity and electrostatic attraction to deform by the electric field force. Moreover, the expansion and clamping of the liquid bridge resulted from the competition between electric field force and capillary force. However, the precipitated wax crystals reduced the kinetic energy of the droplet and affected its external circulation, thus delaying the falling time. In addition, the wax crystals with interfacial activity adsorbed on the oil-water interface and cross-linked to form a spatial network structure, thereby weakening droplet deformation, hindering liquid film drainage, and inhibiting liquid bridge expansion. Importantly, the droplet adsorbed wax crystals exhibited interfacial elasticity, which makes them more inclined to partial coalescence. The low-frequency pulsed direct current (PUDC) electric field with high strength intermittent effect displayed the most obvious inhibition effect on the wax crystals. Overall, these findings look promising for future design and optimization of high-efficiency electric dehydrators and related fields.