Abstract: A system is described for separating first and second liquids that are present in an intimate mixture consisting primarily of the first liquid, which enables recovery of a high proportion of the second liquid in a system of moderate cost for construction and operation. The system includes a fine screen formed of woven threads of a material that is wetted by the second liquid. The mixture is pumped through the screen, causing the microscopic droplets of the second liquid to coalesce into much larger drops, so the drops can be rapidly recovered. The screen is very fine, with a thread count of at least 500 per inch (20 per millimeter), and the liquid is passed very slowly through the screen, at a velocity of no more than 12 inches per minute (30 cm./min.), to recover at least 70% and preferably at least 75% of the second liquid.

Abstract: A system is described for separating first and second liquids that are present in an intimate mixture consisting primarily of the first liquid, which enables recovery of a high proportion of the second liquid in a system of moderate cost for construction and operation. The system includes a screen formed of a single woven pattern of metal threads that have been woven in a uniform pattern, and that are backed by back-ups having holes larger than those of the screen. The mixture is pumped through the screen, causing the microscopic droplets of the second liquid to coalesce into much larger drops, so the drops can be rapidly recovered. The screen is very fine, with a thread count of at least 500 per inch (20 per millimeter), and the liquid is passed very slowly through the screen, at a velocity of no more than 12 inches per minute (30 cm./min.), to recover at least 70% and preferably at least 75% of the second liquid.