Analysis of deformation and breakup of droplets in high voltage AC electric field

Electric dehydration is an important procedure in the process of crude oil production. In order to grasp the deformation of water droplets in oil and improve the rate of electric dehydration, the study of droplet deformation, breakup and coalescence under high voltage AC electric Held was carried nut by the simulation based on the method of flow field coupled in electric field, and the effects of electric field strength, intcrfacial tension and droplet diameter on the deformation degree of droplet were studied. In order to verify the correctness of simulation results, the phenomena of droplet deformation, breakup and coalescence under AC electric field were observed and analyzed by use of the high-speed camera with white oil and water as experimental materials. The experimental results show that the higher electric field strength, larger droplet diameter or smaller intcrfacial tension could cause larger deformation degree of droplet. When the electric field strength exceeds the critical field strength, the droplet will rupture, and the rupture form depends on the intcrfacial tension of emulsion.