title: Simulations of a dielectrophoretic membrane filtration process for removal of water droplets from water-in-oil emulsions.
abstract: A novel separation technique based on simultaneous application of AC dielectrophoresis and preferential transport through a semipermeable hydrophilic membrane is proposed for separation of small amounts of emulsified water droplets from a water-in-oil emulsion. Embedding an array of parallel microelectrodes on a membrane matrix, followed by application of an AC potential to these electrodes, can result in capturing the water droplets onto the membranes from the emulsion during a crossflow filtration process. The present paper describes the theoretical principles underlying such a process, and describes a simple mathematical framework based on trajectory analysis for assessing the separation efficiency of such a technique. The results indicate that superimposition of an AC dielectrophoretic field can significantly enhance the preferential transport of the emulsified water through the membrane in a crossflow filtration device. This can lead to a highly efficient continuous separation process for dilute emulsions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2G8, Canada.
authors.forename: Shahnawaz H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Molla
authors.forename: Jacob H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Masliyah
authors.forename: Subir
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bhattacharjee