Electrostatic Coalescer

An electrically energized compact coalescer (50;

• 70:
• 50′) for breaking oil-in-water emulsions, comprising an elongated, closed shell (53;
• 73;
• 50′) having a fluid inlet (52;
• 72;
• 52′) and a fluid outlet (59;
• 77;
• 59′);
• at least one electrode (55;
• 74;
• 55′;
• 32) mounted in an internal chamber formed in the closed shell and forming at least one flow passage (58;
• 66;
• 58′;
• 36) between the electrode means and a wall in the closed shell;
• an external power supply (64;
• 82, 74′) electrically connected to the at lease one electrode, for energizing said electrode, said energized electrode (55;
• 74;
• 55′;
• 32) being fully encapsulated with insulation to enable an intense electrostatic field to be applied to an electrically conductive emulsion, for generating a non-laminar flow of emulsion through said at least one flow passage (58;
• 66;
• 58′;
• 36), characterized by one or more elongated elements (57;
• 68;
• 57′;
• 34, 35) disposed in said flow passage at an angle with respect to the electrode longitudinal axis and extending for at least a portion of the length (L) of the electrode, whereby the elongated element(s) induce(s) a gentle swirling motion to the fluid flowing through said flow passage and that the fluid will follow a spiraling pattern at least partially around the at least one electrode (55).