Organophilic Clay for Oil/Water Separation Process by Finite Bath Tests

Abstract

This study examines the inclusion of a quaternary ammonium salt, an alkyl-dimethyl-benzyl ammonium chloride (Dodigen), on a green clay to evaluate its performance as an organophilic adsorbent in the oil/water separation process. The samples were characterized by X-Ray Diffraction, Differential Thermal and Thermogravimetric Analyses, Infrared Spectroscopy, Cation Exchange Capacity, Adsorption Capacity and the Foster Swelling test. The results indicated that the quaternary ammonium salts were intercalated between the layers of clay. A 2 2 -factorial design was conducted with three central points in finite bath tests to determine the rate and capacity of oil removal by the organophilic clays. Values as high as 94.54 % of removal efficiency and 37.57 mg/g of removal capacity were reached in the assays, thus indicating that the use of organophilic clay has great potential in the oil/water separation process.

Performance of Natural Sodium Clay Treated With Ammonium Salt in the Separation of Emulsified Oil in Water

“…Mota et al (2011) ). The present work is part of this research line, and represents another contribution to the field in order to understand how organoclay behaves as an adsorbent with different characteristics.…”

Oil–water separation process with organoclays: A comparative analysis

“…The experimental conditions are similar to the one employed in the present work. Additionally, a table with the experimental results obtained by Mota et al (2011) is not presented here in order to avoid repetition, and the reader is referred to this original reference for additional information.…”

“…Figs. 7 and 8 present the standardized Pareto chart for effects (initial concentration and stirring speed) on responses (removal capacity at equilibrium and percentage of removal) and the prediction of the regression model, respectively, based on the experimental results obtained by Mota et al (2011) concerning the OC obtained from ion exchange reaction with alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride (ADMBAC). The experimental conditions are similar to the one employed in the present work.…”

“…Two different types of ammonium salts, namely: alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride (ADMBAC), distearyl dimethyl ammonium chloride (DSDMAC) and a combination of ADMBAC/DSDMAC was employed. It is very important to emphasize that this paper also intends to review and compare the results obtained by Mota et al (2011) with the new one obtained here. In this sense, a critical evaluation of the main features of the OC obtained from ion exchange reactions with individual quaternary ammonium salts and the combination of ADMBAC/DSDMAC is presented in this work.…”

“…Recently, Mota et al (2011) have evaluated the performance of clay modified with the quaternary ammonium salt (alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride) as an organophilic adsorbent in the oil-water separation process. It was shown that a removal efficiency equal to 95% and a removal capacity of 38 mg/g can be easily achieved, indicating the high potential of this kind of modified clay for the oil-water separation purposes.…”