Effective Dephenolation of Effluent from Petroleum Industry Using Ionic-Liquid-Induced Hybrid Adsorbent

Abstract

In this study, naturally heated clay (NHC) was complexed with synthesized ionic liquid (1-ethyl-3-methyl imidazolium bromide solution (EMIB)) to form NHC/EMIB composite. The effectiveness of NHC/EMIB composite in comparison with naturally heated clay (NHC) as an eco-friendly adsorbent for dephenolation of petroleum effluent was investigated. The adsorbents were characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Batch mode experiments were conducted to ascertain the effect of process variables on adsorption. Removal efficiencies of 81.70% and 91.7% were obtained for NHC and NHC/EMIB composite, respectively, at 25 min, 308 K, pH 4.0 and 150 µm. The linear and nonlinear isotherm data fitted best to the Langmuir model for both adsorbent, while the linear and nonlinear kinetic data fitted best to pseudo-second-order and pseudo-first-order models for both adsorbents. The estimated average thermodynamic parameters (ΔG0 = − 9.653 kJ/mol, ΔH0 = –28.295 kJ/mol and ΔS0 = –46.395 kJ/mol) revealed the feasibility, exothermic nature and spontaneity, respectively, of the studied adsorption system.