Coalescence in fibrous beds

The factors affecting the efficacy of a closely packed bed of mixed cotton and a supporting fiber (Teflon, glass, Dynel) were evaluated for oil‐in‐water dispersions. Several other water‐organic systems were also tested. Superficial velocities ranged from 0.2 to 3.5 ft./min. Successful coalescence was attained at interfacial tensions as low as 3.5 dynes/cm. Dispersed phase viscosity was varied form 1.4 to 137 centipoise. For a mixed‐fiber bed with a specific ratio of fiber species, there is an optimum bed depth for best performance. High‐speed cinephotomicrographic observations at 100 × and up to 4,000 frames/sec. indicated that fiber wettability is not the most important factor for successful operation.