Combination of Sorbents and Modification of Its Constituents to Enhance the Mopping Ability of Chemically Modified and Unmodified Biological Wastes on Crude Oil and Its Lower Fractions

John Kanayochukwu Nduka

Environmental Chemistry and Toxicology Research Unit, Pure and Industrial Chemistry Department, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awk, Nigeria.

DOI: 10.4236/ampc.2012.23021                

Abstract

Protein wastes (feathers, goat hair) and cellulosic wastes (corn cob, coconut husks) were collected, washed with detergent solution, thoroughly rinsed and sun dried for 2 days before drying in an oven and then ground, half of ground material was carbonized at a maximum temperature of 500?C after mixing with H2SO4.The carbonized parts were pulverized; both carbonized and uncarbonized sorbents were sieved into two particle sizes of 325 μm and 625 μm using mechanical sieve.1.5 g protein wastes and cellulosic wastes were each used to mop up spilled crude oil, diesel, kerosene and petrol (separately before combining) by encasing them in a sac like boom of 2cm x 2cm x 1cm dimension so as to determine the efficacy of waste sorbents in cleaning hydrocarbon spills. Results of Tables 1(a)-4(a), 1(b)-4(b) and 5-8 shows that the sorbents mopped, desorbed and retained an average of more than 500%, 350% and 300% of their weight of the hydrocarbon sorbates within average of 90 mins contact time, the volume of sorbates mopped up increased significantly when equal weight of activated and unactivated sorbents were combined, the results of equal combination of activated and unactivated sorbents at each particle size and contact time were compared with that of calculated values, high percentage retention observed were a function of mechanism of absorption/adsorption. Each sorbent have a distinct feature that enhances its mopping ability. Large volumes of the hydrocarbon liquids were recovered by mere pressing, the sorbates were mopped up in the order; crude oil > diesel > kerosene > petrol. Protein sorbents with oleophilic and aqua phobic properties absorbed more of all the hydrocarbon liquids than cellulosic sorbents at any particle size and contact, the later tend to be more abundant and therefore cost effective; it was observed that both carbonized and uncarbonized sorbents are good hydrocarbon mops and therefore good alternative to synthetic polyurethane foam already in use. Combination, particle size, activation of sorbents, contact time, viscosity and chain length of hydrocarbon determined the amount of sorbates absorbed/adsorbed, recovered or retained. The residual leachable oil (kerosene) in the sorbents were below 5% and does not constitute serious environmental menace when left in an open dump to decay being biodegradable waste, but a brighter application is that the waste sorbent can be used in making logs as alternative to fire wood or in making particle board for furniture.

Keywords

Sorbent-Sorbate System; Sorbents Combination; Experimental and Calculated Value; Adsorption/Absorption; Contact Time; Re-Use

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

References

[1]	Adeyemi OT, Oil exploration and Environmental Degradation: the Nigerian Experience. Environmental informatics Archives; 2004, 2: pp. 387-393
[2]	ReijersTJA, Petters SW, Nwajide CS, The Niger Delta basin. In selected chapters on Geolo-gy,sedimentary Geology and Stratigraphy in Nigeria. SPDC, Nigeria, 1996, pp. 103-117.
[3]	SPDC, Nigeria. Oil /chemical spill contingency plan and procedures, Bulletin, 1997.
[4]	Birk A, Chemistry, Houghton Mifflin Company, New York, 1994, pp. 980-981.
[5]	Chem A, Effect of mixing conditions on flocculation kinetics of waste water containing using fibrous materials and polyelectrolytes; Bras. J. Chem. Eng; 1998, 15: p. 350.
[6]	Eur. Pat Appl, “Method of making sorbent article,” EP0608884, 1994.
[7]	Ronald D, Technical applications for wool helps improve the environment.Technical Textile international, 1993, 2: p. 8.
[8]	Kugin A, Obtaining of high effective absorbents on the basis of wood fibrous materials: forest chemistry and org. synthesis, 1994, 10(5), p. 3.
[9]	Nenkova S, Study of sorption properties of lig-nin-derivatized fibrous composites for the remediation of oil polluted receiving waters. BioResources. 2007, 2(3), pp. 408-418.
[10]	Grigorieve L, Obtaining and application of new materials on the basis of lignin waste. Cellulose, paper, card-board; 1996, 3: p. 24.
[11]	Nduka JK, Ezenweke LO, Ezenwa TE, Comparison of the mopping ability of chemically modified and unmodified biological wastes on crude oil and its lower fraction.BioResource Technology; 2008, 99: pp. 7902-7905. doi:10.1016/j.biortech.2008.01.066
[12]	Nduka JK, Uchegbusi VI, Extension of comparison of the mopping ability of chemically modified and unmodified biological wastes on crude oil and its lower fractions. British Journal of Environment and Climate Change (Submitted), 2012.
[13]	Jacobs MB, Chemical analysis of food and products. P. Von Nostrand Company Inc.New York, 1938.
[14]	Updegraff DM, Semi-micro determination of cellulose in biological materials.Anal. Biochem, 1969, 32, pp. 420 -424. doi:10.1016/S0003-2697(69)80009-6
[15]	Aquiar Cl, Biodegradation of the cellulose from sugarcane bagasse by fungal cellulose. Cienc. Tecanol. Aliment; 2001, 3 (2), pp. 117-121.
[16]	Hoskin MG, Underwood AJ, Archabault P, Properties of naturally degrading sorbents for potential use in the clean-up of oil spills in sensitive and remote coastal habitats. Centre for research on Ecological impacts of coastal cities.Marine Ecology laboratory (All), University of Sydney NSW 2006, 2001.
[17]	Mansurov ZA, Gilmanov MK,Nano Structural carbon sorbents for different functional application. In Thomas P. Wills (ed): Sorbents; Properties Materials and Applications. NOVA Science Publishers Inc.New York, 2009.
[18]	Nduka J.K,The Use of solid wastes as oil spill mop.Unpublished MSc.Thesis. Pure and Industrial Chemistry Department, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria, 2000.
[19]	Widayat W, Kusno P, Moerdoko W, Winiati W, Hagiwara K, Honde P, Research on the development and application of natural sorbents for oil-spill clean-up (11).The Evaluation of oil absorbability of natural sorbents. Bulletin of the Government Industrial Research Institute, Osaka, 1981 32, pp. 29-35.
[20]	Winiati W, Widayat W, Kusnop, Moerdoka W, Hagiwara K, Higashi K, Honda S, Research on the development and application of natural sorbents for oil-spill clean-up (V): formation and evaluation of mixed sorbents made of Kapok and other materials. Bulletin of the Government Industrial Research Institute, Osaka, 1982, 33, pp. 363-369.
[21]	Cooper D, Penton S, Rafuse K, Nordvik AB, An evaluation of oil-sorbent materials. In: Artic and marine oil-spill program (AMOP).Technical seminar (vol. 1). Environment Canada, Ottawa, 1994, pp. 581-592.
[22]	Kato Y, Umehara K, Aoyama M, Oil sorbent from wood fiber by mild pyrolysis.Holzais Roh-und Werkstoff , 1997, 55, pp. 399-401. doi:10.1007/s001070050254
[23]	Emengo FN, Nduka JKC, Onwu EO, Nitration of cellulose and performance of cellulose nitrate based adhesives for selected substrates. Chemical Physics Journal, 2010, 3(2/3): pp. 135-150.
[24]	Seven A, Rydholm P, Pulping processes, Inter Science publishers, England, 1967.
[25]	Environmental Canada, Selection criteria and laboratory evaluation of oil-spill sorbents. Update 111. Ottawa, Canada, 1985.
[26]	Nwandiche GC.Looking for metals in an organic World, Unpublished B.Sc. Thesis Pure and Industrial Chemistry Department, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria, 1998.
[27]	Hay RW, Bio-inorganic chemistry, Hemel Hempstead England: Ellis Horwood Limited, 1991.
[28]	Branden Cl, Jornval H, Eklund H, Furugren B.Alcohol dehydrogenase, In: Boyer PD (ed). The enzyme.Vol. XI. New York: Academic Press: 1975, pp. 103-190.
[29]	Simmons MG, Wilson IJ, A hemocyanin model: a synthetic Cu (1) complex having imidazole ligands and reversible dioxygen activity. J. Chem. Socs Chem Common, 1978, 634.
[30]	Liptrot GF, Modern inorganic chemistry. 4th edition. Unwin Hyman Ltd. London, 1983.
[31]	Nduka JK, Application of chemically modified and unmodified waste biological sorbents in treatment of waste water; Int. J of Chem Eng; vol. 2012, pp. 1-7, 2012. doi:10.1155/2012/751240