Controlled Experimental Study on Removing Diesel Oil Spillages Using Agricultural Waste Products

• Published in: Chemical engineering & technology 2013-04, Vol.36 (4), p.673-680
• Main Authors: Li, M.-M., Pan, H.-C., Huang, S.-L., Scholz, M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Absorption; Adsorbents; Corn stalk; Diesel; Diesel fuels; Oil; Oil films; Orthogonal design; Oscillations; Sawdust; Sorption; Straw; Wheat straw
• ISSN: 0930-7516; 1521-4125
• DOI: 10.1002/ceat.201200658

Diesel oil was used as adsorbate, while corn stalk, wheat straw and sawdust were used as natural sorbents for adsorbing and absorbing pure oil and oil in water. The results showed that all three agricultural wastes absorbed diesel. The corresponding saturated sorption amounts of wheat straw, corn stalk and sawdust were 8.54 g g–1, 7.03 g g–1 and 8.2 g g–1. The optimum conditions found were: corn stalk particle size between 830 and 1700 μm, oscillation frequency of 0 r min–1, i.e., no wave movement, oil film thickness of 0.55 mm and adsorbent dosage of 0.29 g; sawdust particle size between 830 and 1700 μm, oscillation frequency of 0 r min–1, oil film thickness of 0.55 mm and adsorbent dosage of 0.25 g; wheat straw particle size between 500 and 830 μm, oscillation frequency of 0 r min–1, oil film thickness of 0.55 mm and adsorbent dosage of 0.24 g. Oil spillages need to be removed quickly and cost‐effectively by sustainable methods. One of the most effective techniques is sorption by natural organic sorbents. Here, the oil sorption capacity and floating performance properties of three common wastes from the agriculture and forestry industries are assessed.