LIQUID MIXTURE SEPARATION SYSTEM

摘要

A system for separating first and second liquids that are present in a mixture consisting primarily of the first liquid. The system includes a fine screen (20) formed of woven threads of a material that is wetted by the second liquid. The mixture is pumped through the screen, causing the microscopic droplets (16) of the second liquid to coalesce into much larger drops (26), which can be readily recovered. The screen has a thread count of at least 500 per inch (20 per millimeter), and the liquid is passed through the screen at a velocity of no more than 12 inches (30 cm) per minute.