Prediction of size distribution of crude oil drops in the permeate using a slotted pore membrane

Permeate size distribution of various crude oil drops with, and without, oscillating the membrane has been predicted using the 'Linear Fit' approach. Drops pass through the membrane due to drag force created by the flow of fluid around the drops. Static force is the force responsible for the rejection of drops through the membrane and is directly proportional to the interfacial tension between dispersed and continuous phases. Without applied shear, 100% cut-off of drops though the membrane is assumed when the drag force and the static force balances each other. With the applied shear, 100% cut-off of drops through the membrane is when drops moves away from the membrane surface due to migration velocities and do not pass the membrane into the permeate. Extrapolating 100% cut-off to the origin of the rejection graphs gives a straight line that is referred as 'Linear Fit' and can be used for predicting rejection below 100% cut-off. Linear fit can be used for predicting drop rejection below 100% cut-off. The portion of oil that would not be rejected by the membrane and would pass through the membrane into the permeate can be calculated using this approach. For a given size of drops in a feed suspension, permeate size distribution can be predicted by multiplying the fraction of oil passing through the membrane and the feed size distribution data. Overall concentration of oil in the permeate can be calculated by knowing size distribution of drops in the permeate, and that provides an idea whether the concentration of oil in the permeate is below the standard set by international regulatory authorities.