SEDL / STP / STP659-EB / STP35721S

Drop Size Distributions in a Treated Oil-Water System

Jasper, WL
Research assistant, associate professor, and professor, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, R.I.

Kim, TJ
Research assistant, associate professor, and professor, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, R.I.

Wilson, MP
Research assistant, associate professor, and professor, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, R.I.

Pages: 14    Published: Jan 1978

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Abstract

An experimental study was conducted to determine the drop size distributions in a dispersant-treated oil-water system. Two different chemical dispersants, Surflow-OW-1 and Corexit 9527, were used. The effect of the method of application of the dispersants on drop size formation and its distribution was also studied as a function of the input energy and shear rate. The oil-water interfacial area was computed by use of the Sauter mean drop diameter and the dispersed phase holdup. The peak values of the drop size distribution curve have shown a tendency to decrease with increasing energy input. It was also found that the self-mixing dispersant had yielded lower peak values than Surflow-OW-1, indicating finer and better dispersion. The interfacial area was found to increase as the input energy increased.