Review: Silica Aerogel as a Viable Absorbent for Oil Spill Remediation

Abiodun Paul Olalekan¹, Adewunmi Oluwasogo Dada², Olusola Adedayo Adesina¹

¹Department of Chemical Engineering, Landmark University, Omu-Aran, Nigeria.
²Department of Industrial Chemistry, Landmark University, Omu-Aran, Nigeria.

DOI: 10.4236/jeas.2014.44013                

Abstract

The review article reflects on the potential of silica aerogel as viable absorbents for spilled crude oil. Reported oil absorption capacity of silica aerogel shows it has a future in polluted site clean-up. The review presents the various dynamics of oil spill, conventional clean-up technologies and silica aerogel synthesis techniques. It also highlights some investigations of oil spill sorption using aerogels. The future prospect of rice husk as a cheaper source silica aerogel is also considered.

Keywords

Oil Spill, Remediation, Absorbent, Silica Aerogel, Rice Husk, Drying

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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