Numerical simulation of coalesence and dispersion in the presence of an electric field

The project is a part of an ongoing research collaboration between NTNU, SINTEF, ABB, Norsk Hydro, Statoil and Elf to improve the design of coalescers for separating oil and water. The current project involves direct numerical simulation of drop motion in cluding instability, dispersion and merger influenced by an electric field. The motion of the interface between two continous liquid phases will be computed and analyzed to understand single-drop behaviour and the interaction of drops in the presence of a n electric field. The level set method will be combined with a boundary condition capturing method, which allows seamless discretization across the interface. This will provide a fundamental understanding of the effects of electric fields on drop coalesce nce and dispersion. This, in turn, is input to the development of mathematical models applicable to actual coalescers. Manufacturers of coalescers will utilize such models to improve their design.