Abstract: The invention disclosed relates to a method and apparatus for separating a mixture containing an aqueous liquid and an immiscible organic phase using microporous hollow fibers. Such mixtures are separated into a substantially organic-free aqueous phase and a substantially aqueous-free organic phase. The mixture is pressurized in a controlled low shear manner to minimize emulsification as it is contacted with the fibers. Productivity is enhanced by separating as a third product stream, a further organic phase containing only small amounts of an aqueous phase, which for some applications can usefully be combined with the substantially aqueous-free organic phase. Other ways for enhancing productivity are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for mixing discrete, microscopic portions of a gas (oxygen) in a liquid (water), wherein the liquid is brought into contact with a liquid repellent side of a microporous membrane, and the gas is contacted with the other side. The membrane, which may be a bundle of hollow fibers, has effective pore pathway diameters generally in the range 0.01 to 5 &mgr;m, and the liquid pressure is regulated not to exceed that of the gas or to cause liquid to pass through the membrane. Gas/liquid mixed in this manner is conveyed and delivered in a low-liquid-turbulence incurring manner to avoid the discrete, microscopic gas portions from combining and provide them with a long retention time in the liquid.