Numerical assessment of ultrasound supported coalescence of water droplets in crude oil

Recent advances of ultrasound applications in the oil and gas industry

“…The cause for this decrease was considered to be because lower interfacial tension produces more stable emulsions. Consequently, at lower interface tension between water and crude oil, higher resistance to the coalescence of the droplets due to improved emulsion stability was observed (Adeyemi et al [7] ). In the case of oil droplets in O/W emulsions, numerical simulations accurately modeling both trend and magnitude of the derived acoustic pressure data were obtained.…”

“…The experimental results also showed the influence of ultrasonication on different variables. As the power and frequency increased, smaller size bubbles were obtained, and the catastrophic break up became more intense obtaining higher Weber numbers, thus, showing signs of improved emulsification (Adeyemi et al [8] ). An emulsion separation technique comparison was also carried out between US, electrostatic and microwave assisted technologies.…”

“…US-assisted separation confirmed lower coalescence time with growing interfacial tension. Additionally, ultrasound proved the most potential in energy and economic savings, and the best option to be used as a standalone technique or in synergy with other techniques for emulsion separation, same as for applications in EOR (Adeyemi et al [9] ).…”