Removal of asphaltene by solid‐phase iron exchanged bentonite

Abstract

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to modify bentonite (B) by iron using the solid‐phase ion exchange method to enhance the asphaltene adsorption. According to the scanning electron microscope (SEM) and x‐ray diffraction analysis (XRD) results, after solid‐state ion exchange, the structure of parent bentonite was changed slightly. An energy‐dispersive x‐ray analysis (EDX) showed that after ion exchange, the iron contents of bentonite increased from 0.6% to 1.6% w/w. Bentonite modification with iron increases asphaltene adsorption capacity (about 60%) compared to parent bentonite. Optimal adsorbent conditions for adsorption of asphaltene are 100 ppm concentration, 5 g/L adsorbent, and 60 min contact time. Adsorbent behavior showed that the adsorption kinetics and isotherm are in good agreement with the pseudo‐second‐order model and the Langmuir equation.