AN ALTERNATIVE OIL SORBENT FOR REMOVING HYDROCARBON SPILLS FROM THE WATER SURFACE

Abstract

It has been studied that there is a possibility of using biomass components (crushed leaves and stems) of topinambur (Heliánthus tuberósus) as a sorption material for removing oil hydrocarbons from the water surface. Literature data on the composition of leaves and stems of topinambur are given. In laboratory conditions, the values of the maximal capacity for oils of the Devon and Carbon deposits, as well as the maximal water absorption, are determined. Oils of Carbon and Devon deposits, produced by OGPD «Leninogorskneft» PJSC «Tatneft» (Republic of Tatarstan), are studied as sorbates. The processing of topinambur biomass components with weakly concentrated (0,5–2 %) solutions of sulfuric acid has been carried out and the physicochemical parameters of the modifiers have been determined, as well as the values of the maximum oil and water absorption. It has been determined that the acid modification contributes to an increase in the maximal oil absorption index, and with an increase in the concentration of sulfuric acid in the solution, this indicator also increases. It has been found that acid treatment increases the maximum water absorption in the leaves and reduces this indicator in the stems of the plant. It has also been shown that acid treatment of topinambur stems and leaves promotes partial hydrolysis of biopolymers that make up the plant biomass components and extraction into a modifying solution, which leads, in particular, to an increase in crystallinity. Data on the efficiency of removing oil films under laboratory conditions using native and modified with 2 % sulfuric acid biomass components of Helianthus tuberósus are presented. It is shown that acid-modified leaves and stems of topinambur contribute to some increase in the efficiency of removing oil films from the water surface and reduce water absorption. It is concluded that topinambur stems, modified with a solution of sulfuric acid seem to be very effective sorption materials for removing oil films on the water surface.