A complex sorbent for absorption of petroleum products based on a nonwoven material and thermally expanded GRAPHITE

Abstract

The sorption capacity of a complex sorbent made of a nonwoven material and thermally expanded graphite powder (TEG) was investigated. The effect of the manufacturing technology on the density and sorption properties of the sorbent was demonstrated. The possible mechanism of absorption of liquids by the complex sorbent was examined. Directions for optimizing its structure and properties were determined.The high effectiveness of powdered TEG as a sorbent for elimination of crude oil and petroleum products is well known [1][2][3][4][5]. However, the high volatility of particles of this sorbent causes large losses in conducting onsite treatments.There is also a fibrous sorbent which is a roll material of different compositions and manufacturing methods [6,7]. Application of this sorbent on the polluted section of a site and subsequent removal are simpler and more effective, but in comparison to TEG, it has a lower sorption capacity [7].Studies on developing a complex sorbent that combines the advantages of the fibrous sorbent and powdered TEG are of practical interest. Such a sorbent can be a multiply material consisting of layers of nonwoven cloth with TEG powdered distributed between them.We investigated the effect of the manufacturing conditions and structure of a complex sorbent on its sorption capacity. Nonwoven cloth with a density of 0.06-0.08 g/cm 3 and TEG made from oxidized graphite from the first stage of oxidation were used for manufacturing the complex sorbent [4,5]. A uniform layer of previously weighed TEG was applied on the nonwoven cloth and covered with a second piece of cloth. Then the cloth was joined by needlepunching on a Dilur industrial unit (Germany) using crown needles [8]. The needlepunch density was varied during manufacture of the sorbent samples, which involved changing their density.A sample of a complex sorbent with joining of pieces of nonwoven cloth made manually was also prepared.This sample simulated a complex sorbent made at a needlepunch density close to zero. At this density, compression of the layer of TEG powder between the cloths was almost excluded.In addition, a sample of a fibrous sorbent consisting of two joined nonwoven cloths with no intermediate layer of TEG was made in the conditions of manufacturing the complex sorbent. The properties of the samples of fibrous and complex sorbents are reported in Table 1.

Receiving Oil Sorbents from Renewable Agricultural Raw Materials

“…Для очистки воды от нефтеразливов могут применяться различные природные углеродсодержащие сорбенты на основе торфа, кокосовой стружки, мха, соломы, шерсти, размолотой кукурузной лузги, рисовой шелухи, древесных отходов и т.п. [1][2][3][4][5][6]. Обладая такими свойствами, как высокая пористость, низкая себестоимость, возобновляемость, не составляют исключение оболочки проса и гречихи.…”