This study has been conducted to synthesize a superhydrophobic and superoleophilic magnetic nanocomposite based on polyurethane foam to remove the oily contaminants from water. The magnetic nanoparticles of magnetite were in-situ and ex-situ precipitated on a polyurethane foam and then the resulted magnetic nanocomposite modified by stearic acid. The synthesized nanocomposite was characterized by FTIR, XRD, FESEM, VSM, TGA/DTG and, CA analyzes. The results of various adsorption processes of oily compounds showed that the nanocomposite is in high separation properties for various oily compounds from water. The results showed that the surface modification of polyurethane foam has increased the capacity and efficiency of adsorption of light crude oil, gasoline, kerosene, and soybean oil as much as 79-86% and 108-147%, respectively. The regeneration of adsorbents through chemical regeneration by oil solvents has a positive effect on their capacity and adsorption efficiency. The equilibrium data adaptation of the light crude oil adsorption process by pure polyurethane foam, nanocomposite, and their regenerated forms through Langmuir, Freundlich, and Temkin isotherm models revealed that the Langmuir model could well describe the adsorption process. Superoleofilic, proper thermal stability, and suitable magnetic properties are other features of the synthesized nanocomposite. (C) 2019 Institution of Chemical Engineers. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.