Numerical study on electrophoretic motion of charged droplets with implications for reducing emulsion droplet retention.

The article investigates the use of an applied electric field to modulate the flow of charged emulsion droplets in porous media, aiming to reduce droplet retention and enhance permeability, which is relevant for improving oil recovery processes. Through numerical simulations, the study demonstrates that electrophoretic forces decrease flow resistance (mobility factor) of droplets in constricted microcapillaries, with higher droplet net charge and emulsion concentration further facilitating flow. Droplet behavior under electric fields varies with size and the electrical capillary number—a dimensionless parameter representing the ratio of electric to interfacial forces—where low values assist droplets passing through pore throats, and high values induce droplet breakup, easing passage. Application of an electric field in porous media models increased permeability from 1.74 Darcy without the field to 3.42 Darcy at high electrical capillary numbers, indicating reduced droplet entrapment. These findings provide insights into employing electric fields to mitigate emulsion blockage and optimize fluid mobility in petroleum reservoirs.