Abstract: A separator element (10) is described, which includes on the side of the incoming flow, before the first hydrophobic filter layer (38) consisting of a microporous membrane with a mean pore size of approximately 15 microns, an outer second hydrophobic filter layer (40) with a mean pore size of approximately 50 microns. With the aid of the second filter layer (40), the larger water drops are first separated from a fluid mixture to be cleaned. The residual small water drops are fully retained at the inner first filter layer (38) and in the sedimentation area (48) they are discharged into the space of the incoming flow.