Systems and methods for removing oil from an oil and water emulsion

A three-stage system with demulsification, physical separation, and UV-enhanced oxidation effectively addresses the challenge of oil-water emulsion separation in mobile settings, achieving high oil removal efficiency and environmental safety.

WO2026112733A1PCT designated stage Publication Date: 2026-06-04MEMORIAL UNIVERSITY OF NEWFOUNDLAND
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Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
WO · WO
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
MEMORIAL UNIVERSITY OF NEWFOUNDLAND
Filing Date
2025-11-26
Publication Date
2026-06-04

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing technologies are inadequate for efficiently separating oil from oil and water emulsions, particularly in mobile and space-constrained environments such as oil spill responses, due to the chemical stability of emulsions and the need for large, fixed facilities.

Method used

A three-stage system comprising demulsification, enhanced physical separation, and enhanced oxidation processes (EOP) using a chemical or bio-demulsifier, hydrocyclone, and UV-enhanced oxidation with ozone to break emulsions and remove oil residues.

Benefits of technology

Achieves over 90% reduction of oil content in wastewater, meeting international discharge standards within a short time frame, with reduced ecotoxicity and improved biodegradability.

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Abstract

Systems and methods for removing oil from wastewater are described herein. The systems include, at a first stage, adding a demulsifier to a wastewater stream to produce a demulsifying wastewater stream that includes an emulsion of wastewater and oil. At a second stage, the demulsifying wastewater stream is passed into a physical separation unit to physically separate and remove demulsified oil from the wastewater and produce an effluent wastewater stream. At a third stage, the effluent wastewater stream is added to an enhanced oxidation process (EOP) reactor to produce a clean water discharge stream. The EOP reactor includes a first EOP chamber and a second EOP chamber fluidly coupled in series with the first EOP chamber. The first EOP chamber receives the effluent wastewater stream and receives an ozone stream to mix with the second wastewater stream within the first chamber.
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