Enhanced Numerical Simulation Study of Accelerated Demulsification in Dilute Emulsions under Pulsed Electric Field Control

Abstract

This study simulates the dynamic evolution of demulsification in emulsions under various electric field parameters, using a multicomponent lattice Boltzmann color model that integrates pulsed electric and flow fields. The degree of aggregation of dispersed-phase droplets is quantitatively analyzed using the area-to-circumference ratio. Results of numerical simulation demonstrate the demulsification behavior of dilute emulsions under three types of pulsed electric fields: direct current (DC) pulsed electric field, unidirectional triangular pulsed electric field, and bidirectional triangular pulsed electric field. Findings indicate the occurrence of electrophoretic and oscillatory coalescence in dilute emulsions under pulsed electric fields. The improved bidirectional triangular pulsed electric field shows enhanced efficiency relative to that of either the DC pulsed or the unidirectional triangular pulsed electric field. Moreover, the enhanced bidirectional triangular pulsed electric field effectively demulsifies oil-in-water dilute emulsions and prevents oil droplets disintegration under high-voltage across different component ratios.

Keywords

• lattice boltzmann
• color model
• pulsed electric field
• demulsification