Definition

1. Verb (transitive):

   • To cause an emulsion to break down, separating it into its constituent liquids.
   • To break down an emulsion into its components.

2. Verb (intransitive):

   • To undergo the process of breaking down from an emulsion into separate components.

Usage and Examples

• Transitive verb (to act upon something):

  • Chemists added a special agent to demulsify the oily wastewater.
  • The centrifuge is used to demulsify the mixture of oil and water.

• Intransitive verb (to describe a process):

  • Over time, the unstable mixture began to demulsify on its own.
  • If left undisturbed, the vinaigrette will eventually demulsify.

Advanced Usage and Technical Context

• In Chemistry/Engineering: The term is primarily technical, describing a key process in chemical engineering, petroleum refining, and wastewater treatment to separate emulsions like crude oil and water.
  • The goal of the treatment plant is to efficiently demulsify the industrial effluent.

Variants and Related Words

• Demulsification (n): The process or result of demulsifying.
  • The demulsification of the crude oil is a critical first step in refining.
• Demulsifier (n): A chemical substance or agent that causes demulsification.
  • They injected a demulsifier into the pipeline to separate the fluids.

Synonyms

• Break down (an emulsion)
• Separate (components of an emulsion)
• Resolve (an emulsion) -

Antonyms

• Emulsify (v): To mix two immiscible liquids into an emulsion.
• Blend (into an emulsion)
• Homogenize (into a stable mixture)

Verb

1. break down into components
2. cause to demulsify