Oil adsorption properties of discarded yak hair

Abstract

This study examined the oil adsorption performance of discarded yak hair and wool, which may provide a theoretical basis for the development and utilization of discarded yak hair in oil-adsorbing materials. The saturated oil adsorption ratio was tested, and the effects of fiber packing density, ambient temperature and oil types on fiber saturated oil adsorption ratio were evaluated. The experimental results show that the fiber packing density and oil types have a greater impact on the value of the saturated oil adsorption ratio of the fiber, and the ambient temperature has a little effect on the value of the saturated oil adsorption ratio. The lower the packing density, the higher the saturated oil adsorption ratio is. When the packing density is 0.1 g per 27 cm3, the saturated oil adsorption ratio reaches the highest. Among different oil types, the higher the oil viscosity, the higher the saturated oil adsorption ratio is. The higher the temperature, the lower saturated oil adsorption is. When the ambient temperature is 10 °C, the saturated oil adsorption ratio reaches the highest. Fiber fineness and surface scale frequency affect the specific surface area of the fiber. The average fineness of discarded yak hair is less than wool and the scale frequency is greater than that of wool, so yak hair fiber has a larger specific surface area. Under the same experimental conditions, the oil adsorption capacity of yak hair is better than that of wool.