Deformation and breakup of aqueous drops in viscous oil under a uniform AC electric field

• The deformation time increases with the frequency.
• The phase difference between the deformation and the electric field increases with the frequency of the electric field.
• There is minimal amplitude of the water drop deformation at certain frequency.
• The deformation and break-up of drops depend on the intensity and frequency of the AC electric field.

Electric coalescence in alternating current (AC) electric fields is an important electrical dehydration technology. The deformation and breakup of water drops are crucial to the application of this process. In this study, these procedures were examined experimentally in an AC electric field using a high-speed camera. The deformation and breakup of drops depend on the intensity and frequency of this field. Deformation is aggravated by the increase in frequency under a constant electric field strength. Furthermore, the electric strength of breakup weakens as the frequency increases. Thus, understanding the deformation process can help advance electrocoalescencer design.

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