Abstract: Filtering medium based on activated carbon which is characterized in that it comprises three superposed layers, respectively an inner layer and two outer layers, the inner layer consisting of 80 to 95% by dry weight of activated carbon, the balance for 100% consisting of organic and/or inorganic chemical fibres, the first outer layer comprising from 45 to 95% by dry weight of organic and/or inorganic chemical fibres, the balance for 100% consisting of activated carbon and/or of a material having a density of less than 0.9, the second outer layer comprising from 5 to 25% by dry weight of activated carbon, the balance for 100% consisting of organic and/or inorganic chemical fibres, and in that the weight of the inner layer is between 40 and 200 g/m2 and the weight of the outer layers is between 10 and 100 g/m2.

Abstract: A method for the extraction of hydrophobic constituents, such as benzene, toluene, xylene and/or chlorinated hydrocarbons, from an aqueous solution, involving the steps of contacting said solution with a porous, preferably dimensionally stable granular or powdery material, of which the pores have a size of from 0.1 to 50 &mgr;m and contain a hydrophobic substance with affinity for the hydrophobic constituents to be extracted, which granular or powdery material has a particle size of from 0.1 to 10 mm, and is wetted more readily by the hydrophobic substance immobilized in the pores than by the aqueous solution to be treated, and regenerating the product of step a), essentially without the granular or powdery material being freed from the hydrophobic substance, by removal of the hydrophobic constituents.

Abstract: The invention relates to a liquid filter (1), for example an oil filter for cleaning lubricating oil, especially for use in internal combustion engines of motor vehicles. A ring-shaped filter insert separates an unclean side from a clean side in the interior of the liquid filter. A metal filter housing (2) comprises a first flange (3) with which the liquid filter (1) can be screwed to a component via a screw connection, said component having an inlet for uncleaned liquid, an outlet for cleaned liquid and a relatively pressureless idle duct. The first flange (3) contains an axially acting outer seal (24) that includes inlet, outlet and idle duct, and a carrier receiving compartment (22) encircled by the outer seal (24).

Abstract: A process is described for sorbing hydrophobic liquids using a plurality of dried, washed fibers originating from a tropical plant material having naturally hydrophobic fibers. The dried, washed fibers have been washed sufficiently to extract a substantial portion of natural liquids therefrom, thereby improving their hydrophobic absorptive properties. The dried, washed fibers are applied in communication with a body containing the hydrophobic liquid whereupon they sorb the hydrophobic liquid from the body.

Abstract: A crystal substance formed by precipitating as fibrous aggregates by making a metal aliphatic carboxylate dissolve completely in pure water, stirring, and gradually cooling the resulting solution. A method of preparing the fibrous crystal aggregates. A material for recovering flowing oil and method of recovering flowing oil by using the fibrous crystal aggregates. A material for solidifying liquid hydrocarbon, waste tempura oil and edible oil and method of solidifying liquid hydrocarbon, waste tempura oil and edible oil by using the fibrous crystal aggregates. A method of preparing the solidifying material.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for rendering waste sorbent material recyclable. The method includes collecting polymer-based sorbent materials containing one or more solvents, treating the waste material in a centrifugal treatment system for removing the solvents from the polymer-based sorbent materials whereby the sorbent materials have a residual solvent content that renders the materials non-hazardous for transportation to a remote recycling site. The treatment system includes a fume collection system and a centrifuge disposed in the fume collection system. The sorbent materials are charged into the centrifuge and the centrifuge is operated for extractive removal of solvents therefrom and collection of the extracted solvents. The sorbent materials are rendered non-hazardous by the centrifugal treatment system enabling the materials to be taken off site for use in making recycled parts.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for the recovery of gold and/or silver values from activated carbon, wherein they are adsorbed as cyanide complexes. The process uses an eluant containing sugar. The process allows the eluant to pass through fresh carbon twice, thereby reducing the volume of the gold-loaded eluant. This, in turn, reduces the size of the electrowinning or zinc precipitation circuits. The process also improves elution efficiency when barren electrowinning solution is recycled in the elution process.

Abstract: A method for easily decomposing viscous, solidified spilled fuel oil or crude oil containing sea water and other disposal inhibiting substances. Titanium dioxide particles are added to viscous spilled fuel oil recovered in drums in a weight ratio of at least 0.2 to 1 times. Fuel oil is specifically adsorbed by the adsorbent and the mixture can be suspended in water. The suspension is filtered by a coarse filter to remove substances interfering with disposal by the oil. This filtrate is passed through a high performance filter (of sufficiently fine mesh to retain the adsorbent) so that the adsorbent is recovered, and sea water and other substances are discarded.

Abstract: A process is described for using tropical fibers to recover spilled oil, gasoline, kerosene, hydrocarbons, pentachlorophenol, creosote or other hazardous liquids from land or water. The sorbent fiber material is produced from agricultural byproducts from cultivation of banana, plantain, cavendish plant, pineapple, coconut, palm, or other tropical fruit bearing plants. The sorbent fibers are produced by separating the raw plant materials; washing the separated fibers in a solution of 1% alum; pressing the fibers to extract liquids and natural juices; further separating the fibers by beating or agitating; and drying the fibers. The sorbent fibers have a water and natural liquid content of less than 10% by weight and may be applied to the surface or periphery of an oil or chemical spill, whereupon they will sorb the oil or chemical. Once the oil or chemical is sorbed the fibers may be collected and the oil or chemical may be partially recovered by compressing the fibers.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for removing liquid contaminant from surfaces, especially for removing spilled oil from the surface of water. More particularly, this invention relates to a method for removing liquid contaminant from a surface by applying a mat which is a nonwoven fabric having a dried substantially continuous aqueous foam coating on at least one side of the nonwoven fabric, whereby the foam coating absorbs at least some of the liquid contaminant. This invention also relates to a reusable mat for removing liquid contaminants from surfaces and a method for reusing the mat.

Abstract: A method for tailoring naturally occurring zeolite materials with silane compounds and using such silane tailored naturally occurring zeolite solid sorbent materials to remove benzenes and alkyl benzenes (BTEX) from contaminated water streams is described.

Abstract: A method and system for removing miscible organic compounds from contaminated water is disclosed. The system of the present invention comprises a polisher for filtering out trace amounts of suspended solids, a system of columns connected in series and containing an adsorbent to adsorb miscible organic compounds, a source of ozone, and a contact tower for contacting the contaminated water with the ozone such that the ozone decomposes the miscible organic compounds to produce water that is substantially free of miscible organic compounds. The present invention also comprises a method of rejuvenating the adsorbent in individual columns.

Abstract: A sheet article for solid phase extraction or solid phase reaction comprises at least one sorptive polymer pulp, and optionally at least one of sorptive and reactive particulate. The article can be used in a method of separating an analyte from a fluid comprising the step of passing a fluid comprising an analyte through a sheet article comprising poly(p- or m-phenylenephthalamide) pulp, the pulp optionally having incorporated therein solid phase particulates, the sheet article being capable of isolating the analyte from the fluid.

Abstract: A pad for cleaning up liquid spills is described which contains a porous surface covering, and an absorbent interior containing chemically reactive reagents for neutralizing noxious chemicals within the spilled liquid. The porous surface and the absorbent component would normally consist of chemically resistant materials allowing tentative spill to pass. The absorbent interior which contains the neutralizing reagents can but is not required to be chemically resilient and conducts the liquid chemical spill towards the absorbent interior containing the chemically reactive reagents where the dangerous and undesirable chemicals within the chemical spill are then neutralized as well as removed from the premises.

Abstract: A method and system for removing oil from an oil absorbent material. The method comprises placing untreated oil containing material in a centrifuge, centrifuging the material to remove and recover a quantity of pure oil, soaking the material in a low-pH organic degreaser, centrifuging the material a second time to remove the remaining oil and the degreasing solution, separating, skimming and recovering the oil from the degreasing solution, and thereafter disposing the degreasing solution and drying the material. The present invention provides a method of maximizing the recovery of oil, which in turn allows the desorbed material to be recycled or reused and generates a waste degreasing solution that can released directly into a sewage system, thereby minimizing the environmental impact and cost of cleaning the oil absorbent material.

Abstract: Methods for obtaining an elastomer product capable of absorbing petroleum and its by products including the steps of forming a mixture of waste vulcanized rubber, resin and organic solvent, grinding the mixture in a mill in the presence of manganese to produce a slurry of very small particles of a reclaimed rubber, and drying the slurry which results in porous elastomer particles which are capable of absorbing petroleum and its by-products.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for removing spilled oil from shorelines, other solid surfaces, or from the surface of a body of water by adding to the surface a mixture of fine hydrophilic mineral solids dispersed in an aqueous liquid that interacts with the oil to form buoyant mineral fines-oil floccules. These floccules reduce the tendency of the oil to adhere to solid surfaces or to recoalesce, thus facilitating dispersion and removal of the oil.

Abstract: A microfibrous sorbent article is provided. The microfibrous sorbent article comprises an elongate boom having a substantially oval cross-section. The boom is formed of multiple adjacent microfibers layers, the layers being bonded to each other by entanglement of fibers between adjacent layers. The boom further contains ion exchange resin, selectively absorbent particulate material, catalytic agent or selectively reactive particulate material.

Abstract: A method for treating waster water containing oil composed of esters, which makes reactivation of spent adsorbent possible or unnecessary, and facilitates treatment of waste adsorbent. In order to realize the above method, oil composed of esters is adsorbed into an electroconductive adsorbent from the waste water, and is converted to water soluble materials by electrolytic hydrolysis using the adsorbent as a part of cathode for separating from and reactivating the adsorbent, or adsorbing step and reactivating step are performed concurrently. In accordance with the present invention, reactivation of spent adsorbent becomes possible and an amount of generated waste decreases remarkably, and generated waste adsorbent hitherto can be readily incinerated because of eliminating adsorbed oil. Secondary waste is not generated because no chemicals are used other than electric power.

Abstract: Methods are described for treating sludge, e.g. biological and/or chemical sludge, with processed cellulose material combined with another material, e.g. a surface active agent, a detergent, a surfactant, a polymer and/or an organic polymer.Cellulose flakes and methods for making them are disclosed; in one aspect the flakes are useful as animal litter or bedding; in one aspect such used flakes are re-pelletized for use as litter, food or fertilizer. Methods for absorbing, removing, and for cleaning up a first liquid floating on or in a second liquid are disclosed, the method employing absorbent pellets which, in preferred embodiments, have a particular size, density, and configuration. A pellet and a method for making the pellet are disclosed for cleaning up a first liquid floating on or in a second liquid; and a method for making pellets for absorbing a combustible material to produce fuel pellets. A method for producing fuel pellets is disclosed.

Abstract: This invention comprises an apparatus or mechanism and a method of using it to recover petroleum from a floating slick or spill by means of absorbing the petroleum in powder particles principally comprising a reaction product of polyurethane, a catalyst, and a strong cationic polymer comprising an agent which produces a foam product that has a strong affinity for combining physically with petroleum resembling a magnetic attraction between the same. The reaction product is formed into desired sizes of elongated block-like shapes which are fed to a shredding assembly of saw blades that reduce the solid shapes into irregularly-shaped powder particles that are capable of being used in at least two ways to attract and adsorb petroleum by bonding. One way is to employ a porous boom of substantial diameter and length that is used to at least partially enclose a predetermined area of the slick or spill, the particle content of the boom absorbing adjacent petroleum.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for collecting, concentrating and detecting microorganisms from difficult-to-separate environmental samples e.g. oil well samples and the like, for the purpose of their analysis or identification; and apparatus for performing the method.

Abstract: A pad for absorbing oily pollutants from water is releasably attached in a catch basin for floating on the surface of the water in the basin. When the pad is saturated with oily pollutants, it is removed and replaced by a new pad. A plurality of catch basins is connected in series and a pollutant-absorbing pad is releasably secured in each of the catch basins.

Abstract: A microfibrous sorbent article is provided. The microfibrous sorbent article comprises an elongate boom having a substantially oval cross-section. The boom is formed of multiple adjacent microfibers layers, the layers being bonded to each other by entanglement of fibers between adjacent layers. Also provided is a method for making the microfibrous sorbent article.

Abstract: A process for catching and processing non-aqueous drip-liquids, characterized in that the drip-liquid to be processed is caught in an oily and non-aqueous liquids absorbing, water-repelling, liquid catching on a non-woven cloth, incorporated into an envelope of a hydrophobic synthetic resin fiber fabric, which envelope with cloth is partitioned in a suitable manner in a number of tracks of fields; the enveloped liquid catching cloth with absorbed drip-liquid are collected, the collected envelope liquid catching cloths are washed in a solvent for the drip-liquid, the drip-liquid is separated from the solvent, the drip-liquid so recovered is incinerated with power-generation and the cleaned enveloped liquid catching cloths may be used anew.

Abstract: A method is provided for treating "spills" of materials, e.g. an offshore oil spill, wherein an ungelled mixture of gelatin is deposited onto the material and then allowed to gel. As the gelatin gels, it "traps" or entrains the material into the gelled mass of gelatin whereby the material can readily be retrieved by merely retrieving the gelled gelatin. The gelling of gelatin is fully reversible in that gelatin will return to its liquid state merely upon reheating, thereby allowing the spilled material to be separated from the gelatin so that the material can be recovered and the gelatin to be reused.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method of removal and recovery of oil and grease from wastewater wherein ferrite powders are used to adsorb the oil and grease contained in the wastewater, and then the oil and grease are separated from the wastewater by an external magnetic field. The ferrite powders are individually recovered for re-use.

Abstract: A system for recovering oil from an oil spill site. A vessel transports buoyant, oil absorbent material to the spill site. The absorbent material is dispersed below the water surface and advances upward toward the water surface, thereby absorbing oil and water. The dispersed absorbent material is contained and transferred back to the vessel. Oil and water are removed from the absorbent material on the vessel, and the absorbent material may be reused.

Abstract: A method of recovering oil-based fluid from a surface that includes the steps of applying man-made fibers that absorb the oil-based fluid or a cloth made from the man-made fibers to the oil-based fluid on the surface, feeding the fibers or cloth having absorbed oil-based fluid to a device for applying force to the fibers or cloth to recover oil-based fluid and applying force to the fibers or cloth to recover oil-based fluid therefrom. The oil-based fluid recovered from the fibers and cloth can be put to a beneficial use. The fibers and cloth can be reused repeatedly. An apparatus capable of performing the method has rollers to apply the force to the fibers or cloth to recover oil-based fluid from the fibers or cloth.

Abstract: A five stage treatment system for treating oily wastewater to fit it for discharge to surface waters comprising a coalescer for separating free oil, an ultrafiltration unit for separating emulsified oil, an activated carbon filter for separating residual light organic compounds, a cation exchanger for removing heavy metal ions, a pH adjusting unit for adjusting the treated water to substantially neutral pH prior to discharge, and a controller for regulating the operation of the system. An optional gravity separation stage and/or a clarifier stage may also be included, if desired. Flow of permeate from the ultrafiltration stage is monitored and control valves admitting feed solution to the ultrafiltration unit or discharging retentate from the ultrafiltration unit are adjusted in response to the measured values to maintain a desired rate of permeate flow.

Abstract: A method of recovering oil-based fluid and an article for use in the method disclosed, the method includes the steps of applying fibers or a cloth with a napped surface that absorb the oil-based fluid to the oil-based fluid on a surface. The fiber or cloth is capable of absorbing at least about 5 times its own weight in oil-based fluid and temporarily holding absorbed oil-based fluid therein until the absorbed oil-based fluid is recovered. The fiber or cloth is maintained in contact with the oil-based fluid until oil-based fluid is absorbed. Then, the fiber or cloth having absorbed oil-based fluid is retrieved from the surface. The oil-based fluid can be recovered from the fiber or cloth and put to a beneficial use. The fiber or cloth can be reused repeatedly. The article contains the fiber or cloth, can optionally contain a flotation material and can optionally have a container that holds the fiber or cloth.

Abstract: A process and apparatus are disclosed for separating an aqueous cleaner solution from contaminants that accumulate as the cleaner is used in washing manufactured objects, such as machine parts or printed circuit boards. In the separation process, filtration of contaminated aqueous cleaner solutions using a membrane of an appropriately chosen pore size removes oils, greases, fluxes, rosins and other emulsified or dispersed contaminants from the cleaners while permitting the molecules of the cleaner itself to stay in solution. The filtered cleaner solution is then recycled to the wash tank. Also disclosed are a process and apparatus for treating the rinse water used to rinse objects that are cleaned with the recycled cleaner.

Abstract: The performance of mechanical skimmers for the removal of oil from water is enhanced through use of an oil-avid contacting member consisting of a non-woven mat of oleophilic fibers; the fiber surfaces having a film coating of a non-crosslinked rubber. A drum-type skimmer having the drum surfaces covered with such an oil-avid mat may be operated at very high rim speeds to obtain high rates of oil recovery with little water contamination. A process for coating the fiber surfaces with a rubber film is also disclosed.

Abstract: A filter for removing at least one hydrocarbon from water is disclosed where the active filter medium is fibrous peat which has been dried to a water content of 5 wt. % or less. A process for removing at least one hydrocarbon from contaminated water involves contacting the contaminated water with peat as described above. A filter assembly is also disclosed where at least two of the filters as described above are connected in series.

Abstract: There is provided a method for removing substantial quantities of an organic substance, such as oil, from earth surface materials, such as bodies of water, using entire dried corn cobs in their natural state.The corn cobs may, thereafter, be used as an alternate fuel source.

Abstract: A method for removing oil from the surface of a body of water using a layered sheet comprised of natural fabric fibers to absorb oil between the layers in the sheet, the natural fabric fibers in the sheet not requiring or undergoing treatment by or with synthetic chemical compositions during formation of the layered sheet. The layered sheet absorbs at least seven times its weight in oil without submerging in water. The layered sheet is placed on the floating oil which is absorbed by the sheet. The sheet is later removed from the water surface and compressed to squeeze oil from between the layers of the sheet.

Abstract: A method of recovering oil floating on a water surface which has been contaminated with the oil by distributing upon the contaminated surface discrete particles of a hydrophobic macroporous highly crosslinked polymer. The particles are allowed to adsorb and to become laden with the oil. The oil laden particles are recovered from the water surface, and the oil from the oil laden particles is removed by applying compressive forces to the oil laden particles. Particles which are substantially free of the oil are recirculated and re-distributed upon the contaminated surface, and this sequence of steps is repeated until substantially all of the oil has been recovered.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for treating a refinery slurry containing water, oil and a solid fraction, wherein the slurry is brought into contact with carbon dioxide gas in order to adjust the pH value of said slurry to an acidic value and, in that way, improve the separation, by mechanical means, of a first water phase and a first oil phase, from a sludge. The latter is submitted to an extraction with carbon dioxide, under supercritical conditions, in order to separate a second water phase and a second oil phase from a residual sludge, which is disposed of.The process makes it possible to remove most of the water, and, in particular, most of the oil contained in said slurry and a sludge to be disposed of which shows a reduced propensity to the elution of the residual oil.

Abstract: The invention relates to compositions and methods for removing oil from water surfaces. The composition comprises a fine grained particulate material, such as expanded perlite or vermiculite, or sand, coated with an oleophilic/hydrophobic layer comprising sulfur, a metallic sulfate, an alkali metal nitrate, and burned hydrocarbon oil. The invention is particularly applicable to the treatment of oil spills on the surfaces of open bodies of water, such as lakes, rivers and oceans. The invention also relates to methods for preparing the oil removal composition, and for stripping and recycling the compositions after use.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for separating hydrophobic materials in liquid state from an aqueous liquid or hydrophilic liquid, for separating debris from such liquid, or for purifying hydrophobic materials in liquid state are disclosed. An improved strainer for such apparatus and method is also disclosed. The apparatus and method employ at least one rotatable disk to which hydrophobic materials are attracted and retained; scraper blades to scrape the hydrophobic materials from the disk into a discharge tube from which said materials flow to a pump situated in the apparatus. The pump pumps the materials out of the apparatus. The pump is preferably driven by the same motor which rotates the disk. The strainer has an upper mesh portion and a lower portion where the walls and bottom are solid. The strainer also has an internal diverter plate. Influent containing debris strikes the plate and debris settles in the strainer and is retained in the non-mesh portion thereof.

Abstract: Highly concentrated and toxic petroleum-based and synthetic fuels wastewaters such as oil shale retort water are treated in a unit treatment process by electrolysis in a reactor containing oleophilic, ionized, open-celled polyurethane foams and subjected to mixing and laminar flow conditions at an average detention time of six hours. Both the polyurethane foams and the foam regenerate solution are re-used. The treatment is a cost-effective process for waste-waters which are not treatable, or are not cost-effectively treatable, by conventional process series.

Abstract: The method of removing oil from a body of water that includes providing a flexible mesh container, and filling waterfowl feathers into the container, introducing the feather filled mesh container into contact with the oil near or at the surface of the water body, allowing absorption of the oil through the mesh into the feathers in the container, and removing the container from the body of water, for disposition of the absorbed oil. Reclamation of the oil may be effected by squeezing the container and feathers therein to separate oil from the feathers, and collecting the separated oil.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting oil and other lighter-than-water contaminants in an effluent stream in a sewage system. The apparatus includes a disposable detector which floats in the effluent stream and detects oil and other contaminants having a specific gravity lighter than the water by absorbing the oil and such contaminants in an oleophilic material, permitting the oil and other contaminants to rise and collect in a collection tube. The acidity of pH of the effluent being monitored is determined by routing a portion of the effluent stream across a litmus paper.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the removal and safe disposal of trace quantities of toxic or carcinogenic hydrocarbon compounds from waste water. As a result of this process, such hydrocarbon compounds are converted to less noxious, readily disposable compounds. The waste water is first admixed with rehydratable alumina to equilibrium, whereby hydrocarbon pollutant compounds are absorbed onto the surface of the rehydratable alumina. The compounds are then removed from the waste water by filtration, and the remaining water is safely drained off. The remaining rehydratable alumina containing the toxic compounds is then reactivated by heating for reuse in subsequent processing. Non-reusable alumina is digested in sulfuric acid to decompose any remaining toxic hydrocarbon comppounds to less noxious compounds and to convert the alumina to water-soluble and conveniently disposable aluminum sulfate.

Abstract: A fluid carrying chain is drawn through a perforated cannister containing fluid removal nodules that remove fluid from the chain.

Abstract: A method of removing oil from a surface contaminated with oil comprises spreading elongated mat (A) of nonwoven cotton fiber on the surface of the oil to absorb the oil. The mat is prepared by forming cotton fibers into at least a first nonwoven fiber web (30) and a second nonwoven fiber web (32). A composite is formed by arranging the first and second fiber webs together with a scrim (34) intermediate the first and second fiber webs. The composite is delivered to a needle punch machine (54) and the first and second fiber webs are needle punched into the scrim. The mat is formed in a continuous length greater than its width. The cotton waste fibers are short and are needle punched and compacted into the scrim. Compacted interlocked mat (A) has sufficient strength to facilitate feeding of the mat longitudinally onto the oil (14) and surface, and pulling longitudinally from the surface after absorbing oil through an oil removal device (24) from said mat.

Abstract: A process for extracting metals from aqueous solutions containing such metals comprising contacting such an aqueous solution with an asphaltene to extract at least one metal from the aqueous solution to the asphaltene, and recovering the thus extracted at least one metal from the asphaltene. Also disclosed is a process for sulfonating a petroleum fraction containing asphaltenes, the thus sulfonated asphaltenes being advantageously employable in the process for extracting at least one metal from an aqueous solution containing such metal.

Abstract: A process for the removal of hydrocarbonaceous compounds from an aqueous feed stream comprising less than about 1 volume percent of the hydrocarbonaceous compounds which comprises the steps of: (a) contacting the aqueous stream with an adsorbent to remove the hydrocarbonaceous compounds from the aqueous stream to provide an aqueous stream having a reduced concentration of hydrocarbonaceous compounds; (b) contacting spent adsorbent which has accumulated the hydrocarbonaceous compounds from the aqueous stream with an elution solvent to remove the hydrocarbonaceous compounds from the spent adsorbent thereby regenerating the adsorbent; (c) contacting the elution solvent in admixture with the hydrocarbonaceous compounds which were removed from the spent adsorbent in step (b) in the presence of hydrogen with a hydrogenation catalyst in a hydrotreating reaction zone; (d) contacting the hydrotreating reaction zone effluent with an aqueous scrubbing solution; and (e) introducing a resulting admixture of the reaction z

Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating an oil phase from an aqueous phase by means of a rotating drum apparatus containing one or more compartments, each being partially filled with oleophilic free bodies. When containing two or more compartments, they are separated by an apertured baffle. The interior surfaces of the drum are oleophilic and the portion of the drum sidewall, where the mixture is removed is apertured. Due to the oleophilic free bodies and interior oleophilic surfaces, the aqueous phase velocity through the drum is faster than the oil phase which adheres to the oleophilic surfaces causing an in situ buildup and agglomeration of oil phase in the drum. The mixture exiting the apertured drum sidewall is partitioned by the tumbling free bodies, oleophilic drum surfaces and drum rotation such that aqueous phase leaves the drum between the 6 and 9 o'clock positions of counter clockwise rotation where free body concentration is minimal.

Abstract: A process for removing sorbed lubricating oil additives from siliceous filter material is provided. The process comprises forming a slurry of the additive-laden siliceous filter material and an aromatic solvent. Water is added to the slurry prior to separating the siliceous filter material from the slurry. The recovered filter material is substantially additive-free. The lubricating oil additives may be optionally recovered from the aromatic solvent by appropriate means such as distillation.