Biosorption of Crude Oil Spill Using Groundnut Husks and Plantain Peels as Adsorbents

Abstract

Adsorption techniques using meshed groundnut husks and plantain peels have provided cheap alternative to the conventional methods of crude oil spillage control and also for good waste management approach. The biodegradable nature of these adsorbents makes it a better alternative to the non biodegradable synthetic polymers. Dry unripe plantain peels and groundnut husks were used to prepare the adsorbents. The adsorption and percentage removal of crude oil from effluent produce water was dependent on adsorbent dosage, contact time, temperature and particle size. The particle size of the adsorbents should not be less than 150 µm to avoid making the particles so loosed thus posing difficulty in recovery. The two adsorbents exhibit high affinity for oil adsorption with time especially at 75 µm, groundnut husk has a better performance because of its larger surface area and the presence of residual oil in the plantain peels.