Which method may be used for removing oil from a waste stream?

Centrifugation is an effective method for removing oil from a waste stream. This technique relies on the principle of density differences; when a mixture is spun at high speeds, the denser materials, such as water and some solids, move outward towards the bottom of the centrifuge, while the less dense oil rises to the top. This separation allows for easy removal of the oil layer from the waste stream.

While other methods such as absorption and distillation can also be used for oil removal, they operate on different principles and may not be as efficient for large volumes of oil in wastewater. Absorption uses materials that can capture the oil, often requiring a significant amount of media and time, whereas distillation involves heating the mixture to separate substances based on boiling points, which can be more energy-intensive and is generally suited for purifying liquids rather than separating them from a waste stream. Filtration, on the other hand, focuses on separating solids from liquids and may not be effective in dealing with emulsified oils. Thus, centrifugation is particularly advantageous for its speed and efficiency in separating oil from wastewater.