Droplet Size Measurements in Oil–Water Dispersions: A Comparison Study Using FBRM and PVM

Abstract

Droplets in oil–water dispersions are measured using two different measurement techniques. Both focused beam reflectance measurements (FBRM) and particle video microscopy (PVM) are applied simultaneously in order to obtain direct comparison. A real-time chord length distribution (CLD) is obtained from the FBRM. The picture series by the PVM are post-processed to obtain droplet size distributions (DSDs). By measuring particle samples, it was shown that PVM is able to detect the correct size distribution. Using the PVM images, the uncertainty of the CLD was quantified. Two empirical approaches to convert the CLD to the correct DSD are documented.

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

Keywords:

• Conversion
• droplet size distribution
• FBRM
• oil–water dispersion
• PVM

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

The authors acknowledge Statoil ASA for the equipment and sample oils.