SEPARATION OF AQUEOUS AND ORGANIC COMPONENTS

摘要

The invention relates to an apparatus and a method for use in the removal of organic components from an aqueous stream and especially the removal of both dispersed and dissolved organic components. The invention uses the counter flow of an aqueous stream and a gaseous stream to effect the removal of organic components from the aqueous stream. Specifically the invention concerns the provision of a porous medium through which the aqueous stream and the gaseous stream flow. The medium is provided to facilitate the coupling of fluid rotation in a centrifugal system and the coalescence of dispersed organic components. The invention also concerns the control of the relative flow of said aqueous stream and said gaseous stream so as to selectively control the removal of dispersed and dissolved organic components. Further, the invention provides for recycling of an aqueous stream through a single apparatus, or alternatively, the sequential transfer of an aqueous stream through a plurality of apparatus in accordance with the invention. At each stage of operation the apparatus may be adjusted so as to selectively remove a given type of organic component.