Effects of high-frequency and high-voltage pulsed electric field parameters on water chain formation

•Water chain formation under pulsed electric fields was investigated.•Water chain formation was rare at low electric field strength and frequency.•Water chain formation occurred at high electric field strength and frequency.•Very high electric field strength and frequency prevented water chain formation.

Separation methods utilizing high-frequency and high-voltage pulsed DC electric fields have been used extensively in the oil and petroleum industries, where the occurrence of water-in-oil dispersions is highly unwelcome because of physical constraints and the high maintenance costs required to treat these dispersions. This paper reports the results of studies of the effects of applied electric field parameters, including electric field strength, frequency, and duty ratio, on water chain formation in water-in-oil emulsions. The investigations were performed in a rectangular Perspex® cell. The results of the studies show that dipole–dipole forces dominate the process of water chain formation. At low electric field strength, frequency, or duty ratio, dipole–dipole forces are negligible; therefore, the process of water chain formation and aqueous drop coalescence are inconspicuous. However, at high electric field strength, frequency, or duty ratio, significant dipole–dipole forces give rise to water chain formation and aqueous drop coalescence. At extremely high electric field strength, frequency, or duty ratio, aqueous drops are excessively polarized and disintegrate, inhibiting the processes of water chain formation and aqueous drop coalescence. The optimum electric field parameters for separation of water-in-oil dispersions are as follows: electric field strength, 3.80 kV cm−1; frequency, 4.0 kHz; and duty ratio, 0.65.