Oil field electrical emulsion treater - with serial trays contg. electrodes connected respectively to AC and pulsed DC power supply

摘要

Electrodes are disposed within serially-connected trays through which the emulsion passes wherein an AC potential is applied between at least one upstream tray and the electrode(s) therein while a half wave rectified potential is applied between each of at least one pair of downstream trays and the electrode(s) therein such that the half waves in one of the or each pair of downstream trays is 180 degrees out of phase with the half waves in the other of the or each pair of trays. The AC potential is effective in promoting coalescence of relatively large drops of water in the emulsion while the half-wave rectified potential is effective in promoting coalescence of relatively small drops of water in the emulsion.