Thermal sepn. of oil-water emulsions - by hydrogen peroxide addn. to improve sepn. of oil rich phase which is re-used or burnt to avoid pollution

摘要

Sepn. of the oil from the water is facilitated by adding 150-3000 ppm., esp. 500-700 ppm., H2O2 to the emulsion. The emulsion is pref. heated to 75-85 deg.C prior to adding the H2O2; and sepn. is carried out at this temp. In the machining of metals etc., where turnings or swarf are obtd., an oil-water emulsion is used as both a coolant and lubricant; but the spent emulsion cannot be discharged into the drains for hygienic reasons. It is usual to heat the spent emulsion to separate the oil, but the process is veryslow and inefficient. The invention uses H2O2 to provide rapid and efficient sepn.