Removal of Crude Oil from Aqueous Medium by Sorption on Sterculis setigera

This study will present a novel method for crude oil remediation in water. The research was carried out to explore the possible application of Sterculia setigera as a potential biodegradable sorbent for oil cleanup from water. The crude Sterculia setigera (CSS), retted Sterculia setigera (RSS) and bleached Sterculia setigera (PFSS) were subjected to sorption studies to optimize their sorption capacity. The results revealed that the efficiency of sorbent to remove crude oil from water is related to the sorbent weight, contact time, initial oil concentration and temperature of sorption. It was found that increase in sorbent weight led to increase in sorption capacity from 3.75 -5.12 g/g, 4.72- 6.41 g/g, and 4.61-6.18 g/g in CSS, RSS and PFSS respectively. Oil sorption capacity increases by 21-27% when oil concentration was varied from 5-20 g. Contact time played a role only at the beginning of oil sorption study and became less important near equilibrium. Sorption time was varied from 10-70 min and the highest sorption capacity was recorded at 30 min. then it gradually reduced and became steady. The effect of temperature was investigated from 30-60°C. A decreased of 34-37% in oil sorption capacity was observed with increased in temperature. RSS exhibit lower water sorption when compared to the other sorbents. The sorbents showed good reusability after 8 cycles, with less than 50% reduction in sorption capacity and good reusability. Sterculia setigera demonstrated good potentials for utilization as natural sorbent for oil cleanup.