Mechanical sepn. of emulsions - using settling vessel followed by pressure separator with capillary membrane followed by cooler, decanter and recycle

Emulsions are sepd. by preseparation in a device such as a filter, a decantor, magnetic separator or centrifuge. They are then pumped in circuit to a capillary system where they undergo a forced rise in concn. of the more viscous medium with a change in the chemical equilibrium in the mixture. The less viscous phase is fed off and the conc. emulsion is then cooled and fed to a decantor-type device. The concn. emulsion is then recycled a number of times until it reaches the desired concn. The process is used for sepg. emulsions, esp. oil/water mixts. in waste water. It avoids the use of chemicals or heat to recover oil from water effluent streams.