A set of three-dimensional electric spiral plate-type microchannels (3D-ESPM) was designed and fabricated for the first time. The microchannel is comprised of amphiphilic copper plates and lipophilic polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) plates. By coupling electric demulsification and microfluidic demulsification

the microchannel can efficiently demulsify a W/O emulsion. Factors influencing the demulsification of W/O emulsion using 3D-ESPM were systematically investigated

including the height of the microchannel

the number of microchannel plates

the spiral angle of the microchannel

the electric field intensity and the flow rate of the emulsion. The results showed that demulsification efficiency increases with increasing electric field intensity

decreasing microchannel height

and increasing microchannel length. The maximum demulsification efficiency of W/O emulsion in a single pass through the 3D-ESPM reached 68% with a microchannel height of 110 μm

electric field intensity of 250 V·cm-1

microchannel angle of 180°

microchannel number of 5

and flow rate of 2 ml·min-1. The results showed that 3D-ESPM can intensify the demulsification of W/O emulsion.