A NOVEL EXPERIMENTAL STUDY OF CRUDE OIL DEHYDRATION USING MICROWAVE ENERGY UNDER ELECTROSTATIC FIELD

Abstract

In this study, microwave energy was introduced simultaneously with electrostatic field to investigate the efficiency of the coalescence process in crude oil emulsions as a hybridized technique for oil/water dehydration. The novel experimental studies in this research aimed at finding a fast rate of separation, a low value of residual water, and a low value of oil in the disposal water. This unique research introduced microwave energy into the process to target oil/water separation at a molecular level, by combining two technologies. The research results showed a noticeable increase in the coalescence speed with both voltages AC (Alternating Current) and DP (Dual Polarity), while DP voltage with 20 seconds of microwave irradiation time exhibited the best coalescence rates versus the total consumed energy.