The recent development in separation of emulsified organic compounds from surfactant solutions has been summarized, and the research progress in surfactant reuse and/or surfactant contaminant disposal has been reviewed. Three major principles have been employed for separating organic compounds and/or surfactants from aqueous solutions, namely, organic compound inter-phase mass transfer, surfactant micelle removal and the manipulation of phase behavior of a surfactant solution. The details of these principles and their applications are discussed, with the advantages and limitations of each separation method being introduced. Separation based on mass transfer of the organic compounds into a secondary phase is currently more practical than the others. Finally, two major issues requiring further research are identified.
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