Kinetic studies of surface modification of lignocellulosic Delonix regia podsas sorbent for crude oil spill in water

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Jude Chinedu Onwuka
Edith Bolanle Agbaji
Victor Olatunji Ajibola
Friday Godwin Okibe

Abstract

2016AbstractAcetylation method was used in the modification of Delonix regia pods (DRPs) as sorbent for crude oil cleanup in water. Fourier transform infra-red (FTIR) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis were used to investigate the influence of acetylation and crude oil sorption on the sorbent (DRPs). Reaction conditions played significant roles on the extent of acetylation of DRPs. Temperatures of 303 K and 343 K were found to be the most suitable acetylation temperatures of DRPs. Intra-particle diffusion was the rate controlling mechanism for acetylating DRPs while the contributing mechanisms depend on the temperature of acetylation. The crude oil sorption capacity (OSC) of modified DRPs was significantly higher than that of unmodified DRPs. Physical and chemical reactions were faster in the crude oil sorption by modified DRPs than the unmodified while diffusion into the pores of the modified DRPs was slower than in the unmodified. Hydrophobic functional groups were enhanced by acetylation and crude oil molecules were adsorbed at these functional groups. Surface structure, pore sizes and fiber lengths of the sorbent were affected by acetylation and crude oil sorption. FTIR and SEM showed clear evidence of successful acetylation and crude oil sorption. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to determine the statistical difference of weight percent gain (WPG) obtained from the acetylation of DRPs at different reaction parameters such as temperature and time. The OSC of modified and unmodified sorbents at various contact times, were also compared using ANOVA.

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How to Cite
Chinedu Onwuka, J., Bolanle Agbaji, E., Olatunji Ajibola, V., & Godwin Okibe, F. (2016). Kinetic studies of surface modification of lignocellulosic Delonix regia podsas sorbent for crude oil spill in water. Journal of Applied Research and Technology, 14(6). https://doi.org/10.22201/icat.16656423.2016.14.6.16
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