ELECTROCHEMICAL METHOD FOR SEPARATING WATER-OIL EMULSIONS
Background The electrization of oil-water mixture is a negative factor, the study of which has so far been neglected. Electrostatic charges generated in the piping during transportation of oil, are accumulated in oil-water mixture, and that significantly alters the corrosiveness of the aqueous phase and promotes stabilization of the oil-water emulsion. Aims and Objectives Develop a way of redistributing the electrostatic charges in the oil-gas emulsion to provide a more effective coagulation of the oil phase and to prevent corrosion failure of equipment. The method should provide the necessary effectiveness of separating aqueous and oil phases at low capital and working costs, and it must not contaminate the working medium. Methods A method of redistributing electrostatic charges in oil-gas emulsion by addition of treated water with modified electrochemical characteristics has been developed. Model formation water and a device changing the electrochemical parameters of liquid media were used for laboratory studies. Values of pH and redox potential were measured by pH-meter. Using bottle method we investigated the effect of electrostatic charges on the stabilization of oil-water emulsions which are formed in oil during pipeline transportation. Results Studies have shown that the accumulation of electrostatic charges in oil phase leads to the stabilization of oil emulsion. Offered methods preventing stabilization of emulsions are based on reduction of electrostatic charge redistribution by introducing antistatic surfactant (surfactant), or treated water with modified electrochemical characteristics.