Process for the separation of emulsions containing water as a continuous phase and device for the application of the process

An apparatus for the purification of an aqueous effluent containing a fatty-oil substance as an impurity comprising an electrolytic cell, said cell having at least one pair of inert electrodes, said inert electrodes having at least one non-electric touching decomposable hydroxyl producing metal structure therebetween, said metal structure being decomposable under acidic to alkaline conditions of between a pH of 4 to a pH of 12, electric means to impinge a D.C. current on said electrodes of 0.1 to 4 Ah/dm.sup.3 whereby said metal structure is decomposed as a metal hydroxyl complex and wherein said thus produced metal hydroxyl complex combines with said fatty-oily substance for separating said fatty oil substance complex from said effluent.