This paper presents the results of a study of dynamic membranes for oily water separation, The formation of the dynamic membranes and their performance in oily water separation were investigated. The results showed that a magnesium hydroxide suspension, made by a simple reaction process with salt and sodium hydroxide, was a suitable material for dynamic membrane formation on the ceramic support. A dynamic membrane with a uniform and compact structure was formed using the crossflow filtration technique, The formed dynamic membranes were reproducible and gave good performance in separating oil from water using a model oil emulsion in in alkaline environment. The oil retention was more than 98% and the permeate flux was more than 100 L m(-2) h(-1) at 100 kPa in a batch concentration test, (C) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.