Method for resolving crude-water emulsions
OwnerAshok Uppal, Babak A. Jajuee +2inventors
InventorsAshok Uppal, Babak A. Jajuee, Tarek A. Elsolh, Jason M. McMullan
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Abstract
An electro-kinetic agglomerator for resolving crude oil and water emulsions containing charged particles by the application of a direct current voltage potential. The electro-kinetic agglomerator comprises a shaftless auger with a charged conductive rod positioned in the center of the shaftless auger and a charged porous drum surrounding wherein the electro-kinetic agglomerator has a DC voltage gradient such that the charged particles are attracted to the conductive rod.
Claims12
An electro-kinetic agglomerator for resolving crude oil and water emulsions, the emulsion containing charged particles, the electro-kinetic agglomerator comprising:
- a shaftless auger with an opening along the length of the auger;
- a conductive rod positioned in the center of the shaftless auger, having a charge to attract the charged particles;
- a porous drum at least partially surrounding the auger, having a charge to repel the charged particles;
- and
- wherein the electro-kinetic agglomerator has a DC voltage gradient such that the charged particles are attracted to the conductive rod.
A method of resolving a crude oil and water emulsion, the emulsion containing charged particles, the method comprising:
- providing a crude oil and water emulsion comprising charged particles;
- and
- contacting the emulsion with an electro-kinetic agglomerator having a DC voltage gradient to remove the charged particles from the emulsion.
An electro-kinetic agglomerator for resolving crude oil and water emulsions, the emulsion containing charged particles, the electro-kinetic agglomerator comprising:
- a positive electrode;
- a ground electrode;
- a crude oil and water emulsion positioned between the positive and ground electrodes;
- wherein the electro-kinetic agglomerator has a DC voltage gradient such that the charged particles are attracted to the positive electrode and the emulsion is in direct contact with the positive and ground electrodes.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.