Super separation: an innovative filter separates oil from water with unusual quickness.
The water barrier
Separating water and oil is not easy. In chemical processes in particular, it is often necessary to remove disruptive water from oily liquids. Frequently, such emulsions only separate themselves very slowly, leading to downtimes in the production process. Alternatively, they can be separated by distillation, but this consumes a great deal of energy.
Lotus leaf as the inspiration
Materials experts at Bayer Technology Services have now developed a porous filter that allows oil to flow through while blocking the way for water. The water-repellent property was not invented by chemists but originated in nature. Read here to find out how the lotus leaf served as the model for this new technical water barrier and thus helps to save energy.