Separation of binary and ternary oil/water mixtures from a highly hydrophobic metal mesh

Water Sci Technol. 2023 Nov;88(9):2264-2270. doi: 10.2166/wst.2023.341.

Abstract

A highly hydrophobic metal mesh has great potential for its application in oil/water separation due to its special wettability. However, most current oil/water separation devices are simple with limited separation capacity. A separation device based on a highly hydrophobic metal mesh was constructed for different types of oil/water mixtures. Experimental results show that the device not only can be used for the continuous separation of binary oil/water mixtures of any density ratios but also can realize the simultaneous separation of heavy oil/water/light oil ternary mixtures. This achievement is meaningful for practical applications, which will gain great interest in the future.

MeSH terms

  • Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions
  • Metals*
  • Oils* / chemistry
  • Wettability

Substances

  • Oils
  • Metals