Abstract: First and second liquids are separated from mixtures thereof in a holding tank that holds quantities of the two liquids after they have been separated and a quantity of the mixture that has not been separated. A first transfer conduit receives a pressurized mixture of the first and second liquids which is discharged into the holding tank. A venturi passageway is located in the first transfer conduit. A liquid conductor has an entry opening positioned so that at least a portion of the entry opening is located within the quantity of the mixture that is held in the holding tank and an exit opening that is in fluid communication with the venturi passageway. The increase in the velocity of the pressurized mixture flowing through the venturi passageway and the accompanying reduced pressure causes the mixture held in the holding tank to flow through the liquid conductor into the venturi passageway.

Abstract: An apparatus separates a first fluid from a mixture of fluids. The apparatus includes a housing that can have one or more entry openings and one or more exit openings. An endless flexible strip of a material having an affinity for the first fluid is arranged to be advanced through the housing. An advancing assembly advances the endless flexible strip through an entry opening in the housing and through an exit opening in the housing, thereby advancing successive portions of the endless flexible strip sequentially from a position out of contact with the first fluid to a position of contact with the first fluid and again to a position out of contact with the first fluid. More than one pathway can be located within the housing along which the endless flexible strip can be selectively advanced. A means for removing from the endless flexible strip quantities of the first fluid that adhere to the endless flexible strip can be provided.

Abstract: An apparatus separates a first fluid from a mixture of fluids. The apparatus includes a housing that can have one or more entry openings and one or more exit openings. An endless flexible strip of a material having an affinity for the first fluid is arranged to be advanced through the housing. An advancing assembly advances the endless flexible strip through an entry opening in the housing and through an exit opening in the housing, thereby advancing successive portions of the endless flexible strip sequentially from a position out of contact with the first fluid to a position of contact with the first fluid and again to a position out of contact with the first fluid. More than one pathway can be located within the housing along which the endless flexible strip can be selectively advanced. A means for removing from the endless flexible strip quantities of the first fluid that adhere to the endless flexible strip can be provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating a first fluid from a mixture of fluids in a container, the first fluid being substantially immiscible with respect to one or more other fluids in the mixture comprises an endless strip of material having an affinity for the first fluid, a pair of advancing members for advancing successive portions of the strip into and out of contact with the first fluid and a means for maintaining the successive portions of the strip in contact with the first fluid as the successive portions of the strip are sequentially advanced. The pair of advancing members have cooperating surfaces that positively engage the strip with sufficient force so that movement of the advancing members relative to one another sequentially advances successive portions of the strip. A guiding element directs the strip away from engagement with the cooperating surface of one of the advancing members at the location where the strip is released from positive engagement with the advancing members.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating a first fluid from a mixture of fluids in a container, the first fluid being substantially immiscible with respect to one or more other fluids in the mixture comprises an endless strip of material having an affinity for the first fluid, a pair of members for advancing successive portions of the strip into and out of contact with the first fluid and a means for maintaining the successive portions of the strip in contact with the first fluid as the successive portions of the strip are sequentially advanced. The pair of members have cooperating surfaces that positively engage the strip with sufficient force so that movement of the members relative to one another sequentially advances successive portions of the strip. The apparatus can comprise a tube skimmer that is employed to separate tramp oil from a coolant in a machining operation.

Abstract: A liquid reconditioning system separates mixtures of two liquids that are insoluble in one another, such as a coolant and tramp oil from a machining operation. The mixtures of the two liquids are delivered from a sump, or collection basin, to a separator by means of a venturi pump. A tank is provided for holding the two liquids after they are separated whereby they may be individually removed from the holding tank. One of the separated liquids, in the case of a coolant and tramp oil, the coolant, is pumped through the venturi pump to create the vacuum, or negative pressure, that draws the mixtures of the two liquids from the sump to the separator.