There are three steps to the separation of an emulsion of two immiscible phases. Collection, coalescence, and gravity separation. Introduction of coalescing media is done for the purpose of improving both the collection and coalescence processes.
The drop-to-drop coalescence that takes place after the entrainment has been collected on a target is aided by the capillarity and wetting characteristics of the media. The gravity separation that is done downstream of coalescer media is dependent mainly on the geometry of the vessel and “boot” and dispersed phase residence time. Downstream internals may be added to accelerate this process.