Abstract:
The investigations described in this thesis were aimed at
developing or laying the foundation of novel techniques of
liquid/solid and liquid/liquid separation by utilising the
capillary effect.
In Part I the studies related to the extraction of water from an
agglomerate of particulate solids and water (i. e. dewatering) by
means of ceramic elements are described. These studies clearly
showed that although water can be extracted from the agglomerate
by ceramic elements and evaporated to atmosphere, the rate of
extraction is generally too low for commercial application of the
technique.
Part II of this thesis deals with the separation of two immiscible
liquids (i. e. water and oil) using a ceramic filter tube either as
a 'threshold pressure' separator or a coalescer. It was found
that diesel fuel, for instance, could be separated to practically
100% efficiency from a secondary dispersion of oil/water, provided
the applied pressure across the tube is maintained below a
critical value. This technique could form the basis of a very
efficient commercial oil/water separator.
