Dynamic experimental study of a new electrocoagulation apparatus with settlement scheme for the removal process in oilfield

In this research, based on the new design of a continuous-flow apparatus, electrocoagulation (EC) treatment system is applied in oil-in-water (O/W) emulsions under the investigations of water quality characteristics of the oilfield. The treatment system is integrating the EC and sedimentation process for reducing the land occupations and carrying out the dynamic experiments without a circulatory system for standing closer to the removal process of oilfield. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of operating parameters such as current density and treatment flow rate by measuring oil content and turbidity. The removal efficiency was found to be enhanced with a higher current density and lower flow rate. At a given optimal operating parameters, the oil and the turbidity removal was found to be 90%, 97%, respectively. Electric energy and electrode consumption were calculated to be 5.09kWh/kg and 0.45g/g. Even more fascinating, it found that the use of inclined tubes after the electrolytic reaction of EC can improve the deposition efficiency. The oil removal was 95%, increased by 2%–3% compared to the situation which is conducted without the inclined tubes. Finally, the inner diameter of the inclined tubes was explored and found that the most rational inside diameter is 20mm. To summarize, a new kind of continuous-flow EC apparatus was found to be cost-effective and feasible in this work. •A new kind of electrocoagulation apparatus more suitable for oilfield was designed.•The attractive feature of apparatus are saving covering area and closer to the process of treatment in oilfield.•Influence of inclined tubes were studied in the tests.