A microfluidic device having hydrophobic and hydrophilic regions and a method of manufacture thereof are provided. The microfluidic device may include one or more channels formed using a short-pulse laser that are configured for separation or mixing of fluids. The microfluidic device may further include hydrophilic or hydrophobic surfaces configured to aid in the separation or mixture of fluids. The short-pulse laser may be a femtosecond laser.

An improved method for separating solids from liquid in a slurry comprising solids and a liquid (e.g., an aqueous solution) is disclosed. Combining the separator, the gun barrel and a weir tank together are plumbed there between for a simplified and easy system on wheels for the petrochemical industry. The disclosure allows for easy transportation and use thereof for smaller jobs and more frequent use.

An oil stop valve assembly for allowing a flow of water and blocking a flow of oil has a body having an inlet and an outlet, a seat formed adjacent to the outlet of the body, and a float positioned in the body. The float has a specific gravity of between 0.90 and 0.95 so as to be buoyant in water and to sink in oil. The float is away from the seat when a level of water within the body is above the seat. The float is seated in the seat when the level of water in the body is adjacent to the seat. The body is positioned in a container having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet. The fluid outlet of the container is connected to the outlet of the body.

A method of recovering one or more insoluble oils from a liquid source using one or more membrane or membrane contactors, comprising the steps of: pumping the liquid source comprising the one or more oils to the membranes or membrane contactors, contacting the liquid source with a first surface of the membrane or membrane contactors, coalescing the one or more oils within the liquid source onto the first surface of the membrane contactors, pumping one or more recovery fluids through the membrane or membrane contactors in contact with the second surface of the membrane or membrane contactors, and removing a first stream of oil coalesced from the second surface of the membranes or membrane contactors.

Systems and methods for treating a stream comprising hydrocarbons and an aqueous-based liquid are provided. The systems and methods may utilize a media composite comprising a mixture of a cellulose-based material and a polymer. In certain systems and methods, the media composite is capable of being backwashed. The stream comprising the hydrocarbons and aqueous-based liquid may be separated by contacting the stream with the media composite. In certain system and methods, the stream comprising the hydrocarbons and aqueous-based liquid may be coalesced by contacting the stream with the media composite.

Means for easily mounting fabric on stakes or posts and installing a fence that separates oil from water on land, on shorelines, or bodies of water are provided, as are methods of fabricating and methods of deploying such a mounting fabric. A fabric can be securely and easily mounted to stakes or posts to fabricate a fence that separates oil from water. The fabric can be a strong, lightweight fabric for separating spilled oil from water.

The filter medium is a filter medium which uses a liquid containing oil and water as a separation target, and has a channel for the liquid. The filter medium includes a base constituting the channel, and one or more of nitrogen-containing fluorine compounds which are provided on at least a portion of a surface of the channel. The nitrogen-containing fluorine compound includes an oil-repellency imparting group and any one hydrophilicity imparting group selected from a group consisting of an anion type, a cation type, and an amphoteric type, in a molecule.

A filtration system and method is disclosed. The filtration system includes a separation system with a primary process vessel with a main body enclosing an internal volume, and a removable end cap coupled to one of the ends of the main body. The primary process vessel includes fluid apertures enabling a fluid stream to enter or exit the inner volume. The separation system includes a filter support positioned in the inner volume, and a filter assembly coupled to the filter support. In some embodiments, the separation system is fluidly coupled to another separation system.

A power supply system for an AC type of coalescerincluding a first transformer, a controllable transformer, a resonant control circuit and a control system. The first transformer has a primary winding with first and second primary terminals and a secondary winding with first and second secondary terminals, where the first and second secondary terminals are provided for connection to electrodes of the coalescer. The controllable transformer has a primary side for connection to an AC power source and a secondary side connected to first and second nodes, where the second node is connected to a second primary terminal of the first transformer. The resonant control circuit is connected between the first node and the second node. The control system is controlling the controllable transformer. The power supply system further comprises a capacitor connected between the first node and a first primary terminal of the first transformer.

Coalescer plates, coalescer plate units, and coalescers, are provided. An exemplary embodiment provides a coalescer plate for separating a mixture of immiscible fluids. The coalescer plate comprises a pattern of wetting and non-wetting regions, wherein the pattern is based, at least in part, on phyllotaxis.