The Use of Some Solid Waste Materials (feather, goat-hair, corncob, and cotton) as Oil Spill Mops on Water Surfaces

The Use of Some Solid Waste Materials (feather, goat-hair, corncob, and cotton) as Oil Spill Mops on Water Surfaces

A.N Eboatu, L.O. Ezenweke, *J.C.K. Nduka, C.I. Obioha and R.U. Arinze
Department of Pure and Industrial Chemistry, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, PMB 5025, Awka, Nigeria.
*Corresponding author: johnnduka2000@yahoo.co.uk

Accepted on February 14, 2005.

Abstract

Powders of chicken feather, goat hair, corncob and cotton, were used to mop spills of crude oil, diesel, kerosene and petrol from water surfaces.  It was observed that the four sorbents mopped up appreciable amounts, often more than 500% of their weights of the hydrocarbon sorbates, within the first one hour of contact.  The ability of the sorbents to absorb the hydrocarbon liquids was in the order:  feather > cotton > goat hair > corncob.  Furthermore, it was evident that large quantities of the absorbed oil were recovered from the sorbents by draining and by mere pressing.  The latter observation is attributable to the fact that the weak physical adhesive forces binding the hydrocarbons to the sorbents become easily deactivated by pressing.  This high degree of absorption and recovery suggests that the four sorbents have good potentials as mops in water environments.

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