Apparatus and method for the separation of immiscible liquids

Abstract

Apparatus and method for the separation of immiscible liquids are provided, and comprise the use of separator means having a surface which is preferentially 'wettable' by one of the liquids to the substantial exclusion of another of the liquids. In use, the liquids are flowed from a common liquid source onto said surface with the one liquid being sorbed thereby to the substantial exclusion of the other liquid to thus substantially separate the liquids. The separator means surface may be maintained essentially level to retain the substantially separated liquid thereon, or may be inclined to result in the flow of the same therefrom under the influence of the force of gravity. Alternatively, the separator means may be made of a liquid-permeable material to permit the flow of the substantially separated liquid therethrough and therefrom under the influence of the force of gravity. The apparatus and method are particularly adapted to the substantial separation of aqueous sample liquids from hydrophobic isolation liquids which encapsulate the same; and are readily combinable with a sample liquid reaction device to effectively combine the sample liquid separation and reaction operations. The material of the separator means may be inherently hydrophobic, or may be rendered super-hydrophobic by the surface coating thereof with a super-hydrophobic coating material.