To produce electric field to polarise water

[mmmohit5]

i am pursuing b tech in marine engineering. for the final year project i have selected electrostatic coalescer. i need to create a very high potential electric field in which i am having certain trouble. i have doubts regarding the following points:
1. does electric field will still be created if the electrode is insulated.
2. how to generate high potential in an economical way? is there any appliance available which is cheap and also meets our criteria. i need to achieve 20 kv .

 

[berkeman]

i am pursuing b tech in marine engineering. for the final year project i have selected electrostatic coalescer. i need to create a very high potential electric field in which i am having certain trouble. i have doubts regarding the following points:
1. does electric field will still be created if the electrode is insulated.
2. how to generate high potential in an economical way? is there any appliance available which is cheap and also meets our criteria. i need to achieve 20 kv .

Welcome to the PF.

Yes, insulated electrodes still produce an electric field. And in the case of this device, using insulated electrodes sounds important.

I'm troubled that you haven't worked with high voltages before, and are now trying to tackle a project at 20kV. Do you have a skilled faculty adviser who can Mentor you in electrical safety?

Can you provide some web pointers to similar devices so we can see how they are constructed and used?

 

[mmmohit5]

no sir we do not. I have been trying to get help from the physics dept. but they do not have any expert on this field.
I would be of much help if you could help me.

 

[berkeman]

no sir we do not. I have been trying to get help from the physics dept. but they do not have any expert on this field.
I would be of much help if you could help me.

No, sorry. This project is too dangerous to be discussed here. I recommend that you try to change your project to a low-voltage topic. This thread is closed.

 

[alphy]

I understand your interest in producing an electric field to polarize water for your final year project in marine engineering. Electrostatic coalescers are commonly used in the oil and gas industry to separate water from oil, so it is a relevant and practical project.

To address your doubts, let me first clarify that an electric field can still be created even if the electrode is insulated. Insulation simply means that the electrode is surrounded by a material that does not conduct electricity, such as plastic or rubber. However, the electric field will be stronger and more concentrated if the electrode is not insulated, as the surrounding material can act as a barrier to the electric field.

As for generating a high potential electric field in an economical way, there are a few options you can consider. One option is to use a high voltage power supply, which can be purchased or rented from various suppliers. These power supplies can generate voltages up to several hundred kilovolts, so achieving 20 kV should not be a problem. However, they can be expensive, so you may need to explore different suppliers to find one that meets your criteria and budget.

Another option is to use a Van de Graaff generator, which is a type of electrostatic generator that can produce high voltages using a belt and a metal sphere. These generators are relatively inexpensive and can generate voltages up to several megavolts, so they may be suitable for your project. However, they require a lot of maintenance and can be tricky to operate, so you may need to do some research and practice before using one for your project.

In terms of appliances, there are some low-cost options available, such as homemade electrostatic generators using household materials. However, these may not be able to generate the high voltage you require and may not be reliable or safe for your project.

In conclusion, there are various ways to generate a high potential electric field for your electrostatic coalescer project. I suggest researching and comparing different options to find the most suitable and cost-effective solution for your project. Remember to prioritize safety and proper handling of high voltage equipment. Good luck with your project!