Abstract
The dependence of Nigerian Government on foreign technology for oil spill cleanup in its water bodies does not add local content value in the development of the Nation’s economy. Acetylation of natural cellulose gives a material with high sorption capacity for oil in water. This research investigates crude oil sorption from water using acetylated and unacetylated lignocellulose. Oil palm empty fruit bunch (OPEFB) and cocoa pod (CP) were acetylated under mild conditions. The acetylated (modified) and unacetylated (unmodified) sorbents were used to sorb oil from water, and their sorption capacities and mechanisms were compared. Paired t test showed there was significant difference in the sorption capacities of modified and unmodified sorbents. Sorption of oil from water was found to be time and concentration dependent. Equilibrium studies showed that CP has higher sorption capacity than OPEFB and acetylation enhanced the crude sorption capacities of the sorbents. Crude oil sorption from water is a monolayer process that might have progressed from multilayer processes. Kinetic studies showed that sorption of crude oil by the sorbents was diffusion-controlled with the aid of physisorption and chemisorption mechanisms. Fourier transform infrared and scanning electron microscope analyses showed clear evidence of successful acetylation and oil sorption.
Highlights
IntroductionNiger delta region of Nigeria is the oil producing base of the country
Niger delta region of Nigeria is the oil producing base of the country. Oil spills in this region have escalated to serious dimensions due to pipeline vandalization and activities in the oil industry such as oil exploration, transportation, discharge from tankers
Most water bodies in this region are polluted with different hydrocarbon fractions. It was reported by Egwu (2012) that the oil industry spills incident rate has increased to about 80% between 1976 and 2008
Summary
Niger delta region of Nigeria is the oil producing base of the country. Oil spills in this region have escalated to serious dimensions due to pipeline vandalization and activities in the oil industry such as oil exploration, transportation, discharge from tankers. Most water bodies in this region are polluted with different hydrocarbon fractions. It was reported by Egwu (2012) that the oil industry spills incident rate has increased to about 80% between 1976 and 2008. In Nigeria, oil spills have led to loss of many lives, destruction of arable farmlands, fishing industry, recreational facilities, cultural areas and polluted water and air. The greatest concern is the long-term effects of both acute and chronic contaminations that can cause diseases
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