Electrostatic Destabilization of W/O Emulsions: Evaluation of Influential Electrical Factors

Abstract

The presence of water-in-crude oil (W/O) emulsions represents a critical challenge for the petroleum industry due to operational costs and international quality requirements. This research evaluates the influence of various operational and geometric factors on the electrostatic destabilization process to enhance phase separation efficiency. Through a $2^n$ experimental design, variables such as residence time (60s and 120s), applied voltage (1000V and 2000V), electrode material (Copper and Stainless Steel), and electrode geometry (thickness and spacing) were analyzed. Process effectiveness was quantified using a Destabilization Factor (DF), which measures the proportional change in water droplet size. Crude oil characterization included water content (ASTM D4006), API gravity, and viscosity. The results indicated that copper electrodes achieved the highest performance with a DF of 5.0 under specific conditions (120s, 1000V, 0.4 mm thickness, and 0.5 cm spacing). The study concludes that optimizing electrode material and geometry is more effective than merely increasing the voltage, offering a sustainable alternative to the use of chemical demulsifiers.