Element for filtering and separating fluid mixtures

In an element for removing particulate material from water and for coalescing oil in the water into droplets of substantial size;

• a cylindrical pleated inner member, a perforated cylindrical support member surrounding said pleated member in supporting relation thereto, end caps sealed to opposite ends of the assembly of said pleated member and support member, a fluid inlet in one of said end caps, and a separator element of liquid pervious material loosely surrounding said support member and having the opposite end portions sealed with respect to the support member, said element adapted for being disposed in a vertical position in a pressure vessel having means for connection to said fluid inlet, said separator element retarding the flow of oil droplets therethrough while freely passing the water droplets whereby the oil droplets migrate upwardly in the separator element and merge into larger droplets and emerge through an upper region of the separator element.