Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating the components of a feed material prior to or simultaneously with at least partially vaporizing one of the components is described. The apparatus comprises at least one inlet (8) for admitting the feed material (10) containing the two components to the apparatus (2) wherein a device for introducing a first movement to the feed material is located, such as, for example, an in-line swirl generator (14), which imparts a swirling movement to the feed material to partially separate the components into two swirling flows. The partially separated material on emerging from the in-line swirl generator (14) is in an evaporation tube (20) in which the more volatile component is vaporized to further assist in separating the two components into a liquid component and a gaseous or vapor component. The liquid component and the vapor phase are discharged from the apparatus in two streams through the same outlet (36).

Abstract: A method and apparatus is described for separating contaminants from waste material including waste water derived from a chemical processing or manufacturing plant, such as the waste water from a coconut processing plant. The separation method and apparatus involves the use of a mixer to aerate a partially treated waste water material prior to mixing the aerated material with a new supply of waste water to aerate the waste water feed supply for admission to a separation vessel in which the contaminants of the waste water are collected as sludge at the top of the aerated zone for disposal. The treated waste water now substantially free of contaminants is collected in a clean zone for discharge or recirculation. Prior to discharge the partially treated waste water in the clean zone can be recycled through a recirculation loop containing the mixer. The recirculation loop can be operated independently of the rate of supply of new waste water.