Synthetic zeolites from fly ash as effective mineral sorbents for land-based petroleum spills cleanup

Abstract

Sorption of two diesel fuels and used engine oil by two synthetic zeolites Na-P1 and Na-X derived from fly ash was studied in comparison to natural clinoptilolite and commercial sorbent Absodan. The sorbents were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope, nitrogen adsorption/desorption, bulk density and particle size distribution. Densities and viscosities of the oils were determined, as well. Synthetic zeolites exhibited around two times higher sorption capacity than Absodan, while for clinoptilolite the sorption capacity was the lowest. Na-P1 sorbed around 0.91gg−1, Na-X around 0.79gg−1, Absodan 0.52gg−1, and clinoptilolite −0.36gg−1 of used engine oil. The sorption process had mainly physical character and mesopore filling seemed to play the dominant role, so particle size distribution and sorbents texture were decisive for petroleum products immobilization. Higher sorption capacities were noted for oils with higher densities.