Process for separating a hydrophobic liquid from a liquid contaminated therewith

摘要

PCT No. PCT/US93/09404 Sec. 371 Date May 22, 1996 Sec. 102(e) Date May 22, 1996 PCT Filed Oct. 4, 1993 PCT Pub. No. WO94/08902 PCT Pub. Date Apr. 28, 1994Disclosed herein is a process for separating a hydrophobic liquid from a substantially polar medium through the application of expanded graphite particles. Upon contacting the hydrophobic liquid floating agglomerates of expanded graphite and hydrophobic liquid are formed which may easily be removed from the polar liquid by mechanical means. Following the removal of the agglomerates from the polar medium, the hydrophobic liquid may be separated with little effort and recycled. Further, the adsorptive properties of the expanded graphite can be regenerated allowing the material to be used repeatedly. The present invention is particularly useful for removing liquid hydrocarbons from contaminated bodies of water.