The term 'decant' is usually associated with wine. Decanting is also a chemical laboratory process used to separate mixtures. Answer: Decanting is a process to separate mixtures. Decanting is just allowing a mixture of solid and liquid or two immiscible liquids to settle and separate by gravity.This process can be slow and tedious without the aid of a centrifuge.ome mixtures that can be decanted: 1  Oil and water-oil floats on top of water. 2  Decanting the mixture allows the oil to be poured off the water. 3  Gasoline or kerosene and water-this mixture is an example often cited as a safety hazard.