Microfiltration of deforming oil droplets on a slotted pore membrane and sustainable flux rates

► A 4 μm slotted pore membrane used for separation of 1-15 μm oil droplets from water using oscillatory microfiltration. ► Shear rates of various intensities (6-21 Hz) were applied to minimise membrane blocking. ► A simple blocking model adequately described the membrane blocking that either shear or deforming droplets led to sustainable flux. ► The blocking model helped that membrane/particle interaction coefficient varied in a logical manner with respect to shear.