Adsorption Performance of Modified Sponge Gourd for Crude Oil Removal

Toyin Daniel Shittu,Olajumoke Deborah Alabi-Babalola,Elizabeth Funmilayo Aransiola

doi:10.4236/jep.2020.112006

Abstract

This study determined the adsorption ability of modified sponge gourd fibre in adsorbing crude oil from simulated oil-water mixture. Modification was done on the adsorbent by treating with hot water and sodium hydroxide. The dependence of the adsorption process on particle size of the fibre was determined using mesh sizes of 4.75, 2.36, 1.18 and 0.85 mm. The hot water treatment significantly increased the adsorbing ability of the sponge gourd, removing 83.3% of the crude oil from the mixture, alkaline treated sample removed 45.1% and the raw sample removed 22.9%. The result of the SEM images shows that hot water treated sample has more pores on the surface which influenced the better performance. The FTIR results obtained after the adsorption show the successful adsorption of crude oil on to the surface of the sponge gourd due to the presence of functional groups characteristics of groups found in crude oil. An optimum particle size for the sponge gourd was found to exist at the value of 1.18 mm, above and below which the crude oil removed was reduced. The modification of sponge gourd promoted the adsorption capacity for crude oil.

Highlights

The modern industrial society depends on crude oil for its energy and as a starting material for the manufacturing of various chemicals and the synthesis of polymers [1]
The hot water treatment significantly increased the adsorbing ability of the sponge gourd, removing 83.3% of the crude oil from the mixture, alkaline treated sample removed 45.1% and the raw sample removed 22.9%
The best treatment method is the hot water treatment and this was confirmed by the morphology of the sample surface

Summary

Introduction

The modern industrial society depends on crude oil for its energy and as a starting material for the manufacturing of various chemicals and the synthesis of polymers [1]. The world’s daily requirement of crude oil is on the increase with a projected estimate of 118 million barrels by the year 2030 [2]. The release of oil to water bodies renders it unavailable for both domestic and industrial uses and may bring about the destruction of aquatic life and damage to human health [9] [10]

Methods

Results

Conclusion