Addition of KOH promotes a fast flocculation of the impurities,
which are segregated from the base oil by the solvent. The flocculation
is enhanced in the presence of OH groups that neutralize the
electrostatic repulsion. This electrostatic repulsion exists since
alcohol groups are linked with the ions from the additive. Addition
of a solution containing ions that neutralize those charges, break
this stability. Participation of alcohol OH groups in ion exchange
reactions with the electrolyte ions helps to neutralize the electrostatic
repulsion.