Application of porous materials in oil substances separation from water

Bialystok University of Technology, Department of Technology in Engineering and Environmental Protection, ul. Wiejska 45A, 15-351 Białystok, Poland

^* Corresponding author: adamgolub92@gmail.com

Abstract

The aim of the study was to determine the ability of the four porous materials: birch bark, cork, glass wool, and polyurethane foam to reduce the mineral oil index and the concentration of n-alkanes C₇H₁₆-C₃₈H₇₈ as well as to select the most efficient materials. Model solutions of gasoline, diesel oil, and distilled water with the following values of mineral oil index were prepared to tests: 52 μg/dm³, 68 μg/dm³ and 73 μg/dm³. Then, studies were carried out using a dynamic method, wherein the columns were filled with adsorbents tested, and in each of three testing series, 500 mL of the model solution at constant bed load of 1,0551 m3/m2h was filtered through the column. After filtration, the collected sample had volume of 250 mL. The collected samples were subject to determination of mineral oil index and concentrations of n-alkanes from C₇H₁₆ to C₃₈H₇₈. Studies have shown that the most effective materials to lower the mineral oil index and the concentrations of n-alkanes in water are birch bark and glass wool.