Separating latex paint from water

[bushido]

Hey guys. How are you all doing?
First of all, hello to all the regulars that I have not spoken to in a while. I see a lot of new members also. Cheers to all.
Got a question for all the chemists out there.
Without using heat or electricity, how would you separate a latex paint from water. Mixture is about 1 part latex to 10 parts water. Want to keep the water, so evaporation is not the answer? Thought of making a mechanical centrifuge perhaps. Charcoal filtering? Hardening the paint somehow?
Got me stumped. Any ideas?
I know the chemist or some others will probably have a simple solution.
Thanks for any insights guys.

[tracker0945]

I have absolutely no idea but would it pay to mention the volume as it may have a bearing on some of the suggestions.


Cheers.

[HookLine]

When you say without using heat, what is your temp ceiling? If you can live with 35-40 C, and ain't in a hurry then you might able to do it with a simple solar still over a few days.

Why do you want to recapture the water? Is it rare in your area?

[bushido]

Sorry. It is a school Project for the youngin'
They are using about 500ml water, about 50 ml latex mixed together. They have to extract the water without using electricity or heat. I was just going to buy him some aluminum sulfate and powdered hydrated lime. but I don't think this is what they are looking for.
Project says it can happen over a period of a couple of days (probably a hint there eh?).
Got me stumped.
Again, sorry I never stated it very clearly.
Any ideas?

[Husker]

I would have to guess at this but, could it be something like:

1. Let sit and settle. Being that washed out with water, it may settle over a couple days all on it's own.

2. Use a centrifuge. This will speed up settling 1000x or more, and allow almost anything with different SG's to settle out.

3. Freeze thaw (similar to freeze distillation).

H.

[Dnderhead]

If you freeze it it will separate much faster, and never come back together, if remember right you will fiend some oil on top ,pigment on bottom
water in between.

[Hack]

The solar still probably still counts as heat.

I'm with dnderhead on freezing it.

[HookLine]

Freezing kinda counts as heat too. It is just about moving heat around. Same principle.

[Hawke]

See if you can find one of those salad spinners at a thrift store. (Cheap plastic centrifuge) Line with filter paper and crank away.

[bushido]

Right-on. Thanks guys.
I don't think they have a freezer at school. I believe I will do the salad spinner thing Hawke. That's a good idea. Better than trying to make a simple centrifuge. Time saved and all that.
Again, thanks all! Have a good day!