Oil-water emulsion breakup (OWEB) process and system

An oil-water emulsion breakup system, which system comprises:

• an oil-water mixture inlet line configured to receive an oil and water liquid mixture, stabilized by hydrophobic nanoparticles, surfactants of low hydrophilic-lipophilic (HLB) value, or both;
• a water injection inlet line in communication with said oil-water mixture inlet line at a junction configured to direct water into said oil-water mixture inlet line;
• a water sensor in communication with and located at said oil-water mixture inlet line configured to sense a percentage of water in said mixture, said water sensor upstream of said junction;
• a water injection valve in said water injection inlet line in communication with said water sensor;
• a controller in communication with said water sensor and said water injection valve, wherein said water injection valve is configured to adjust an amount of said water in response to said water sensor in order to promote separation;
• a liquid-liquid separator having an inlet configured to receive said-oil and water liquid mixture and said water, said liquid-liquid separator configured to separate liquid into an oil phase and a water phase;
• an upper leg in communication with said liquid-liquid separator configured to receive oil separated from said liquid-liquid separator;
• a lower leg in communication with said liquid-liquid separator configured to receive water separated in said liquid-liquid separator;
• a water recirculation line extending from said lower leg to said water injection inlet line;
• and
• a variable frequency drive pump on said water recirculation line positioned downstream of said lower leg and upstream of said junction, said variable frequency drive pump in communication with said water sensor.