Figure 1: schematic view on a cross-section plane in a Frames Electrostatic Coalescer

1.
2.

Coalescence in electrostatic field between grids

Separation of large droplets by gravity

Coalescence of droplets between the grids relies on the effect of polarisation of charges. Dissolved salts in the
water form ions: positive and negative particles. Normally, those ions are equally distributed in the water

droplets but exposed to an electrostatic field those ions align: positive ones are attracted to the negative grid,
negative ions move to the opposite grid (see Figure 2). If two droplets are nearby, they will be attracted by

each other; see Figure 2 (b). Consequently, the droplets will coalesce and the process starts all over again. The
coalescence process continues until the droplet is sufficiently large and falls out of the upward flowing crude.

Figure 2: Coalescence of water droplets in an electrostatic field (AC)

Frames
Separation Technologies
separation@frames-group.com
frames-group.com