Utilizing absorbent porosity as a micro- bioreactor for absorption and removal of oil stains from water via microorganisms

Abstract

Biodegrading capacity as well as sorption of oil onto polyurethane foam with oil-eating bacteria were studied. The aim of this research is not limited to the adsorption of oil stains by the adsorbent alone; it further involves leveraging the porosity of the adsorbent as a habitat for oil-degrading microorganisms, thereby eliminating oil contamination. In the initial experiment, Polyurethane (PU) foam was impregnated with these microbes and introduced to a culture medium tainted with crude oil. Following the adsorption of the culture solution and oil by the absorbent pieces and the completion of the culture period, the interfacial tension of the solution dropped to 29.3 mN/m. Simultaneously, oil absorption and removal escalated by 74.9%, caused by microbial growth, proliferation, and bio-surfactant generation. The study's second phase involved immersing PU foam in a mineral and microbe-infested culture medium. Post absorption, the microbe-infused solution seeped into the voids. Ultimately, the absorbents were placed on water contaminated with oil, reducing interfacial tension to 37.1mN/m and effectuating total oil absorption and removal of up to 61.6%.