Electrorheology for Efficient Energy Production and Conservation

Abstract

Recently, a theory and new technology has been developed, which utilizes a pulsed electric field to change the rheology of complex fluid to reduce its viscosity, while keeping the temperature unchanged. The method is energy efficient, universal, and applicable to all complex fluids with suspended particles in nanometers, sub-micrometers, or micrometers. This technology has been applied to crude oil and refinery fuels. While the applications are still developing, the results are quite impressive, indicating that electrorheology can play an important role in energy production, transportation, and conservation.