Home >> Science & Nature >> Science

How to Separate Oil From Water by Using a Sieve

Oil is a viscous liquid, caught somewhere between a liquid and a solid, depending on its viscosity, or thickness. When oil and water are mixed, an emulsion is formed, but since oil and water do not mix completely, they eventually separate naturally, with the oil settling on top of the water. When oil is broken down into smaller particles in water, it can be separated from the water by straining the emulsion through a sieve.

Things You'll Need

Wire-meshed sieve
Paper towels
Dish soap
Mixing bowl

Instructions

- 1
  Line a wire-meshed sieve with a single paper towel. One paper towel allows water to flow easily through the sieve, while still trapping the oil.
- 2
  Place the sieve over a mixing bowl, preferably a clear one, to see when there is no longer any oil in the water.
- 3
  Pour the emulsion through the sieve while holding it over the bowl. When the water passes through the sieve, move the sieve away from the bowl and throw out the paper towel. Inside the bowl, the amount of oil in the water should be reduced drastically.
- 4
  Wash the sieve and the container that held the emulsion with dish soap to remove any remaining oil. Rinse both items well before proceeding.
- 5
  Pour the water from the mixing bowl back to the original container. Line the sieve with another paper towel, and pour the water back into the sieve while holding it over the bowl, straining the water again.
- 6
  Continue this process until all the oil is removed from the water. Depending on the amount of oil in the water, it should only take two to three passes through the sieve to completely remove the oil. Be sure to wash both the sieve and container between each straining.

Science