Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods of operation for the collection, separation and recovery of a contaminant from a body of water are provided which include as an essential element a collection tank which receives ingested liquids such as oil and water from one or more intake devices. The level of oil/water within the tank is controlled by means of pressurized gas, preferably air, which is selectively introduced into the tank, above the oil/water collection therein. The compressed air may also be utilized to remove the collected oil and to transmit the oil to storage.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for resolving an emulsion that has an aqueous phase and an organic phase that includes components capable of polymerizing or coagulating. The emulsion is added to a tank and heated (with gentle agitation to avoid formation of hot spots) to a temperature sufficient to prevent it from setting up inside the tank. A non-corrosive inorganic separation aid incapable of initiating polymerization of the emulsion or its constituents is added to the tank with mixing to cause the emulsion to separate into its constituent aqueous and organic phases. The contents of the tank are then allowed to settle and the separated aqueous and organic phases are removed from the tank.