Possibility of Using High Intensity Ultrasonic Wave for Crude Oil Emulsion Separation

In this research, influence of several parameters for emulsion separation with high intensity ultrasonic standing wave field in a horizontal setup was investigated. Emulsion system considered for this study was crude oil in water. Experimental observations were indicated that ultrasound standing wave could break emulsions and separate them to their initial phases.But separation efficiency was depending on several operational parameters such as ultrasound intensity, sample position in ultrasound field and irradiation time period. It was also noticed that dispersed phase fraction and presence of surface active materials in sample emulsion had effects on emulsion creaming rate. A comparison between experimental results were confirmed that the following as the optimum conditions for emulsion separation: 45% ultrasonic intensity, minimum distance from sound source (17.5 cm), maximum irradiation time (30 min), presence of 5% NaCl in initial emulsion formula and lowest oil concentration (5%). In this case, high intensity ultrasonic standing wave could completely separate oil in water emulsion.