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A highly hydrophobic metal mesh has great potential for its application in oil/water separation due to its special wettability. However, most current oil/water separation devices are simple with limited separation capacity. A separation device based on a highly hydrophobic metal mesh was constructed for different types of oil/water mixtures. Experimental results show that the device not only can be used for the continuous separation of binary oil/water mixtures of any density ratios but also can realize the simultaneous separation of heavy oil/water/light oil ternary mixtures. This achievement is meaningful for practical applications, which will gain great interest in the future. HIGHLIGHTS A universal oil/water separation device based on a highly hydrophobic metal mesh was constructed.; The device can be used for sustainable separation of binary oil/water mixtures and heavy oil/water/light oil ternary mixtures.; The constructed device allows simultaneous recovery of light and heavy oils in different channels.;