Which one is more effective decantation or filtration? why?

Question

Which one is more effective decantation or filtration? why?

Answer 1

It really depends, what do you want to use it for?

Answer 2

Each has it's place.  Decantation is used to completely separate materials that are already separate, like oil on water.  Filtration is used usually to separate solids mixed in fluids.

Although you lose a little fluid in filtration.  You generally must sacrifice more decanting.

Answer 3

I would have to say that filtration is the more effective method.  The reason for this lies in the difference between the methods.  While decantation is the separating of mixtures by pouring an overlying liquid mixture into a second container, and thereby separating it from the insoluble impurities that are left behind in the original container.  Some of the liquid to be separated must also be kept in the container.

In filtration, on the other hand you are pouring the whole mixture through a filter which depending on the size of its "holes" will rid the mixture of certain impurities.  These impurities may be insoluble as in the case of decantation.  In addition, filtration allows for the filtering out of impurities that may be somewhat soluble but are too large to pass through the holes of the filter.