Kinetics and Equilibrium of Crude Oil Sorption from Aqueous Solution Using Borassus Aeothopum Coir

Arinze-Nwosu U L ,Ajiwe V I E ,Okoye Ikem C ,J O Nwadiogbu

doi:10.7176/cmr/11-2-02

Abstract

In this study, Borassus aethopum coir (BAC) which is an abundant, cheap, readily available and biodegradable agricultural waste was modified by acetylation using acetic anhydride and NBS catalyst at room temperature. This was to increase their hydrophobic properties and improve their sorption capacity in aqueous environment. The crude oil sorption kinetic data were fitted by intra-particle diffusion and pseudo-first order for raw BAC but the pseudo-second order kinetic model best fits crude oil sorption data for acetylated BAC. The Langmuir and Freundlich models were used to elucidate the sorption behaviour of crude oil with raw and acetylated BAC. Freundlich isotherm gave the best fit for the equilibrium crude oil sorption data for acetylated BAC and raw BAC. Fourier transform infrared and scanning electron microscope analyses showed clear evidence of successful acetylation. The results presented and discussed in the study suggests that acetylated BAC (ABAC) is more suitable for crude oil sorption than raw BAC, therefore, possesses more potential for application and further development in treatment of oil spillage. Keywords : acetylated borassus aethopum coir, kinetics, crude oil sorption, sorbents, sorption capacity. DOI : 10.7176/CMR/11-2-02

Highlights

Niger Delta is the oil producing region of the most populous black African nation Nigeria
3.1 Scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis The SEM micrographs for the raw and acetylated Borassus aethopum coir (BAC) are presented in figs 1a and b below
It was observed that the surface morphology of the sorbent BAC changed after acetylation

Summary

Introduction

Niger Delta is the oil producing region of the most populous black African nation Nigeria. Oil spill on river and sea envelopes the water surface and shields the diffusion of sunlight that enhances photosynthesis. This adversely affects the aquatic lives that rely mostly on phyto-planktons and seaweeds for existence [3]. The negative impact of oil spill is not peculiar to aquatic lives alone but can affect the soil if discharged on land and the coastline. This drastically renders the soil unfertile which will result to shortage of agricultural produce supply. Adsorption is a promising and cost effective method to reduce the environmental problems of oil spill and clean up these types of pollution

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion