Design and preparation of mixed special wettability fabrics based on backed weave for separation of light oil/water/heavy oil mixtures

In recent years, the frequent emission of oily wastewater and marine oil spills has resulted in water bodies containing large amounts of light oil/water/heavy oil mixtures. The increasing pollution of the water prompts us to develop new materials that can separate oil and water effectively. In this work, a mixed special wettability fabric based on the backed weave organization is prepared by using different yarns with special infiltration properties. The mixed special wettability fabric can separate the light oil/water/heavy oil three-phase mixtures successfully in one step, due to the effect of gravity-driven and capillary force-driven. Under the optimal process with the reed number of the fabric 84#, the separation efficiency of water can reach 98.36%, and the average separation flux is 0.447 L/m(2) s. In addition, the mixed special wettability fabric shows a good recycling, as well as structural stability, which is good for the application in practical oil-water separation.

Automated summary

In recent years, the pollution caused by oily wastewater and marine oil spills has increased the need for new materials that can effectively separate oil and water. This study develops a mixed special wettability fabric using different yarns with special infiltration properties, which can successfully separate light oil/water/heavy oil three-phase mixtures in one step.