An apparatus for separating from a liquid mixture, first and second liquid components such as oil and water, wherein the first liquid has a greater density than the second liquid, includes a vessel (10) having an inlet (13) through which the mixture is introduced into the vessel (10), and an outlet (14) through which separated first liquid is in use discharged, and there being a separating member (12) within the vessel (10), the mixture being constrained to contact the separating member (12), the separating member (12) including a material which adsorbs the second liquid component characterised in that the separating member (12) is adapted to move in the vessel (10) downwardly in response to an increase in the weight thereof as second liquid component is adsorbed.
