Effect of the Nature of Different Polymeric Fibers on Steady-State Bed Coalescence of an Oil-in-Water Emulsion

The effect of different polymeric fibers on non-Brownian oil drop steady-state bed coalescence was investigated. Three polymeric low-energy smooth fibers were used: polyethylene, polyester, and polyurethane. The oil-in-water system was used as the model of an unstable emulsion, with the drop size smaller than the pore size. Experiments were carried on geometrically similar beds over a wide range of bed permeability (porosity) and a wide range of fluid velocity, from 16 to 70 m h-1. The bed coalescence efficiency was followed via the effluent oil concentration and critical velocity. The unexpectedly large differences in critical velocities obtained on the investigated materials correlated well with the critical surface tension.