EP0072628A1
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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Electrically coalescing multi-component liquid mixtures
Assignee: ExxonMobil Technology and Engineering Co
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Filing: 1982-07-21
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2002-07-21
Abstract
Abstract In an improved process for electrically coalescing water-in-oil emulsions in an AC electrical field at least one insulated electrode (66) is used having a dielectric constant which is at least about 3 and having a hydrophobic surface in contact with the emulsion. This results in faster coalescense of the emulsion than can be obtained with insulated electrodes having a dielectric constant, even if the electrode-emulsion interface were to be hydrophobic. Formation of spongy emulsion and decomposition of the oil phase under the high voltages required for rapid coalescense is minimized and even eliminated.
Inventors
- 👤 Edward Ching-Shen Hsu
- 👤 Norman Nian-Tze Li
- 👤 Taras Hucal
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 14:41
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01D; B01D61/00; B01D61/38; B01D61/40; B01D17/00; B01D17/06; B03; B03C; B03C11/00; C; C10; C10G; C10G33/00; C10G33/02; B03C2201/00; B03C2201/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
96 words
A process for electrically coalescing a multi-phase liquid mixture, for example a water-in-oil emulsion in a AC electrical field, in a coalescing zone between at least two cooperating electrodes, characterized in that a layer of dielectri: medium is maintained in at least one portion of said inter-electro field space adjacent to at least one electrode, at least a portion of the surface of said dielectric medium at the interface of said dielectric medium and said liquid mixture in said coalescing zone being hydrophobic and the dielectric constant of said dielectric medium being at least about 3.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
96 words
A process for electrically coalescing a multi-phase liquid mixture, for example a water-in-oil emulsion in a AC electrical field, in a coalescing zone between at least two cooperating electrodes, characterized in that a layer of dielectri: medium is maintained in at least one portion of said inter-electro field space adjacent to at least one electrode, at least a portion of the surface of said dielectric medium at the interface of said dielectric medium and said liquid mixture in said coalescing zone being hydrophobic and the dielectric constant of said dielectric medium being at least about 3.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
47 words
A process according to claim 1 characterized in that each or said one electrode comprises an electrically conducti material surrounded by a dielectric medium whose surface is hydrophobic on at least a portion thereof at the interface of said emulsion and that electrode in said coalescing zone.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
87 words
A process for electrically coalescing a multi-phase liquid mixture, for example a synthetic, liquid membrane type of water-in-oil emulsion, in an AC electric field in a coalescing zone between two or more cooperating electrodes, characterized in that at least one of the electrodes is covered with a solid dielectric medium having a dielectric constant of at least about 3, and a hydrophobic surface is on at least a portion of said dielectric medium at the interface of said medium and said liquid mixture in said coalescing zone.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
87 words
A process for electrically coalescing a multi-phase liquid mixture, for example a synthetic, liquid membrane type of water-in-oil emulsion, in an AC electric field in a coalescing zone between two or more cooperating electrodes, characterized in that at least one of the electrodes is covered with a solid dielectric medium having a dielectric constant of at least about 3, and a hydrophobic surface is on at least a portion of said dielectric medium at the interface of said medium and said liquid mixture in said coalescing zone.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
A process according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that said dielectric medium comprises at least one solid material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
A process according to claim 4, characterized in that said dielectic constant is at least about 3.5.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
A process according to any preceding claim for electrically coalescing a water-in-oil emulsion, characterizec in that a layer of coalesced aqueous internal phase of said water-in-oil emulsion is a cooperating electrode with each or said one electrode.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
A process according to claim 6, characterized in that said insulated electrode is substantially horizontal to and disposed from said aqueous layer of coalesced internal phase, said dielectric constant preferably being at least about 4.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
A process according to claim 7, characterized in that said insulated electrode is substantially parallel to said coalesced aqueous layer.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
56 words
An insulated electrode for use in coalescing water-in-oil emulsions or other multi-phase liquid mixture, characterized by a hydrophobic surface on said insulation on at least a portion of the surface of said insulated electrode that will be in contact with the liquid mixture, and by said insulation having a dielectric constant of at least about 3.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
56 words
An insulated electrode for use in coalescing water-in-oil emulsions or other multi-phase liquid mixture, characterized by a hydrophobic surface on said insulation on at least a portion of the surface of said insulated electrode that will be in contact with the liquid mixture, and by said insulation having a dielectric constant of at least about 3.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
58 words
Apparatus for electrically coalescing a multi-phase liquid mixture, for example a water-in-oil emulsion, in an AC electrical field in a coalescing zone between at least two co-operating electrodes, characterised by a layer of dielectric medium on at least one electrode having an outer surface which is hydrophobic, said layer having a dielectric constant of at least about 3.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
58 words
Apparatus for electrically coalescing a multi-phase liquid mixture, for example a water-in-oil emulsion, in an AC electrical field in a coalescing zone between at least two co-operating electrodes, characterised by a layer of dielectric medium on at least one electrode having an outer surface which is hydrophobic, said layer having a dielectric constant of at least about 3.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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