# US 4,391,698 A · Coalescer apparatus for electrostatically resolving emulsions

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- Number: US 4,391,698 A
- Document ID: US4391698A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 06/255,872
- Filed: 1981-04-20
- Granted: 1983-07-05
- Earliest claimed: 1981-04-20
- Assignees: Exxon Research & Engineering Co.
- Inventors: John P. Wagner
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US4391698A

## CPC

- C10G 33/02: with electrical or magnetic means
- B01D 17/06: Separation of liquids from each other by electricity
- B03C 11/00: Separation by high-voltage electrical fields, not provided for in other groups of this subclass
- B03C 2201/02: Electrostatic separation of liquids from liquids
- C10G: CRACKING HYDROCARBON OILS; PRODUCTION OF LIQUID HYDROCARBON MIXTURES, e.g. BY DESTRUCTIVE HYDROGENATION, OLIGOMERISATION, POLYMERISATION (cracking to hydrogen or synthesis gas C01B; cracking or pyrolysis of hydrocarbon gases to individual hydrocarbons or mixtures thereof of definite or specified constitution C07C; cracking to cokes C10B); RECOVERY OF HYDROCARBON OILS FROM OIL-SHALE, OIL-SAND, OR GASES; REFINING MIXTURES MAINLY CONSISTING OF HYDROCARBONS; REFORMING OF NAPHTHA; MINERAL WAXES
- B01D: SEPARATION (separating solids from solids by wet methods B03B, B03D; by pneumatic jigs or tables B03B; by other dry methods B07; magnetic or electrostatic separation of solid materials from solid materials or fluids, separation by high-voltage electric fields B03C; centrifuges, vortex apparatus B04; presses per se for squeezing-out liquid from liquid-containing material B30B9/02; treatment of water C02F, e.g. softening by ion-exchange C02F1/42; {arrangements of air intake cleaners in gas turbine plants F02C7/05} ; arrangements or mounting of filters in air-conditioning, air-humidification or ventilation F24F13/28)
- B03C: MAGNETIC OR ELECTROSTATIC SEPARATION OF SOLID MATERIALS FROM SOLID MATERIALS OR FLUIDS; SEPARATION BY HIGH-VOLTAGE ELECTRIC FIELDS (separating isotopes B01D59/00; combinations of magnetic or electrostatic separation with separation of solids by other means B03B, B07B)

## Abstract

A new apparatus is featured for electrostatically resolving solids-containing emulsions. The apparatus comprises a flexible electrode carrying electrolytes, therein in combination with a solids pump-off tube. Emulsions are resolved by passing current through the electrolyte at frequencies to or above 60 Hz.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A coalescer apparatus for resolving a solids-water-oil emulsion into its phases comprising,
a reaction vessel;
means to introduce a solids-water-oil emulsion into said reaction vessel to provide a water-oil interface in said vessel;
a current carrying electrode below said means for introducing said emulsion and disposed so that under conditions of use said current-carrying electrode is adjacent said interface of the phases of said emulsion, said current-carrying electrode having an inner support member for supporting an outer flexible plastic tube, said outer flexible plastic tube surrounding said inner support member and being concentrically spaced therefrom so as to provide a space therebetween, and an electrolyte disposed within said space between said support member and said plastic tube;
a grounding electrode disposed so that under conditions of use said grounding electrode is in the water phase within said reaction vessel;
means to remove resolved phases of said emulsion from said reaction vessel including a solids pump-off tube disposed so that under conditions of use said solids pump-off tube is between said current-carrying electrode and said interface.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The coalescer apparatus of claim 1, wherein said solids pump-off tube is disposed within approximately one inch of said interface.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The coalescer apparatus of claim 1, wherein said solids pump-off tube is disposed substantially along the entire interface.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The coalescer apparatus of claim 1, wherein said reaction vessel is rectangular.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The coalescer apparatus of claim 1, wherein said solids pump-off tube is designed similarly to a perforated distributor pipe.