Apparatus and method for removal of inorganic aqueous solutions from organic solvents

In the preferred and illustrated embodiment, a coalescer for separating an organic solvent from an aqueous solution (typically with an inorganic salt dissolved therein) is disclosed. In the preferred and illustrated embodiment, an upstanding housing having a central electrode is constructed with interleaved conical members. The conical members define a tortuous flow path. The heavier aqueous droplets are coalesced into larger droplets, collecting and travelling downwardly in a collection tube for removal from the bottom of the housing. The lighter organic solvent is removed from the top of the apparatus.