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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Method and apparatus for separating immiscible liquids

Patent ·
OSTI ID:6885078

A separator is described which is capable of separating a mixture of 2 immiscible liquids of different densities, and more specifically is capable of separating oil and water from a mixture of the two. A rectangular tank has an inclined baffle plate across it, such that when an oil-water mixture is made to flow from one end of the tank to the other, the mixture rotates against the plate in a toroidal fashion and the oil separates from the water. The separated oil and water are removed by suitable placed outlets. For collecting an oil-water mixture from the surface of a body of water, a skimmer can be used which utilizes a baffle plate to hold a quantity of mixture in the bottom of the skimmer. This mixture can be drawn off and passed through the separator. For collecting oil in shipping channels, the skimmer can be conveniently mounted on pontoons and its height adjusted to suit the thickness of oil polluting the water. For cleaning small streams, the skimmer can be attached to supports on both banks of the stream and can be moved vertically, so that only the oil-water mixture is collected. (5 claims)

Assignee:
EDB-82-161311
Patent Number(s):
US 3527348
OSTI ID:
6885078
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English