The invention relates to compositions and methods for separating oil and
other contaminants (particularly oleophilic compounds) from water and
other carriers. The invention is particularly useful for separating oil
and other oleophilic compounds from bilgewater and other wastewater. The
compositions typically comprise a hydrocarbon resin and a drying oil. The
compounds in the composition are typically combined in an organic
solvent. For example, hydrocarbon resin and tung oil are optionally
combined into a naphtha solvent. The invention is particularly useful for
separating emulsified oil from water, whether oil in water emulsions or
water in oil emulsions.