Evaluating Suitable Sorbent for Spill Oil Removal

Abstract

This paper offers to the oil and gas companies the best method of spill oil removed. However, the main aim is to evaluate sorption capacity of different sorbent suitable for oil removal. It also present results of the various experimental analysis conducted on sorbents in sea water and their sorption capacities. Analysis revealed that sorbent materials from plants (vegetable) origin are not very good industrial medium for absorbing and cleaning up oil spills, though they have certain degree of oil sorption. Synthetic materials such as polyethylene fibre sheets are best material for oil sorption. The use of dispersants Booms, Berm methods and skimmers studied in this work to control oil spill are satisfactory. However if sorption must be considered as priority over other methods, then synthetic material such as polyethylene fibre sheets of foams should be considered the best, and if used, the sorbent material should be removed from water immediately as they will loss buoyancy and sink if left afloat for long period.