Surface tension method of and apparatus for separating immiscible liquids

Patent · Tue Nov 21 04:00:00 EST 1972

OSTI ID:6986958

Bhuta, P G; Johnson, R L; Graham, D J

A method of and apparatus for separating a selected liquid from a second liquid in which the selected liquid is immiscible are described. This is accomplished by a surface tension action, utilizing a hollow liquid surface tension separator having a surface tension screen wall. The separator is filled with the selected liquid and the outer side of its surface tension screen is placed in contact with the body of immiscible liquids to be separated, such that each screen pore exposed to the second liquid of the body contains a liquid-liquid interface whose interfacial surface tension resists passage of the second liquid through the pore. A pressure differential, less than the critical pressure differential necessary to overcome the interfacial surface tension force acting across the pore, is established across the screen to drive the selected liquid only through the screen into the separator. The primary application involves the removal or recovery of oil from a water surface. (22 claims)

• Assignee: TRW Inc.
• Patent Number(s): US 3703463
• OSTI ID: 6986958
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020900* -- Petroleum-- Environmental Aspects
520200 -- Environment
Aquatic-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ENERGY SOURCES
EQUIPMENT
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
INTERFACES
OIL SPILLS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PETROLEUM
POLLUTION
POLLUTION CONTROL EQUIPMENT
SCREENS
SEPARATION EQUIPMENT
SEPARATION PROCESSES
SKIMMERS
SURFACE PROPERTIES
SURFACE TENSION
WATER
WATER POLLUTION