Coalescence (merging between particles, oil drops or similar in a hydrocarbon flow) is crucial for separation and transport of hydrocarbons. The main objective of the project is to obtain a new semi-empirical expression of coalescence time (time for two particles to merge).

Coalescence time in general is an important equation in both simple and complex separation and transport models. With a new expression for the coalescence time, the effects of petro-surfactant chemistry can be taken into account. Molecular dynamics simulations will be performed to capture the molecular effects and to obtain a relation with a film drainage model via an expression for the disjoining pressure. Thus, the project employs multiscale modelling in order to solve more accurately a problem on the process scale, namely the coalescence and separation of water and oil.