Eco-adsorbents for organic solvents and grease removal

Abstract

Over the years, the surging rate of water pollution has been a concerning issue as oceans, lakes, rivers, and underground water are contaminated with hazardous pollutants. Non-point source pollution is one of the major sources of oil and organic solvent pollution. Traces of chemicals and oil from the leaked fuels from domestic transport, oil spills, and petroleum industry eventually mix with the storm water and contaminate the water bodies. The presence of oil and organic solvent in wastewater even in small quantity can pose dangerous consequences on the environment and human health. Adsorption is widely used in the removal of organic solvents and oil owing to its straightforward operation,low-cost, and flexibility. Therefore, various studies have been conducted in order to search for green and environment- friendly adsorbents with good sorption capacity and excellent buoyancy. This chapter emphasizes the research trend over the past 10 years on the use of eco-adsorbents for organic solvents and grease removal. The preparation techniques including direct use, solvent treatment, pyrolysis, chemical activation and physical activation, and their influences on the physicochemical properties of the resultant adsorbent are highlighted. Besides, the factors affecting the adsorption performance such as hydrophobicity, buoyancy, surface morphology and hollowness of adsorbents, fluid viscosity, and operating conditions (time, temperature, contact time, initial concentration, and pH) are critically discussed.