Techno-economic and Environmental Analyses on Reduced Graphene Oxide modified Kapok Fiber as Oil Absorbent

Abstract

The industrialization of synthetic fiber has resulted in an economic depression for both domestic and global kapok fiber industries as well as the farmers. On the other hand, the development of ssthe oleochemical industry in Indonesia demands a separation process that is less cost- and energy-intensive. Supporting the sustainable development goals (SDGs) number 1, 8, 9, 12, and 13, in this study, the under-tapped kapok fiber has been utilized to show its potential value as an oil sorbent material. Despite having high oil sorption capacity and being biodegradable, the raw kapok fiber has low oil selectivity, low oil retention, and a fragile structure. The kapok fiber has been modified with reduced graphene oxide (rGO) to obtain hydrophobic-oleophilic absorbent with high absorption capacity, high oil selectivity, high oil retention, and strong structure to maximize the recovery yield. Modification has been done by soaking kapok fiber in GO supernatant and reducing them with ascorbic acid, then freeze-drying the fiber to get a robust superhydrophobic sponge. Techno-economic and life-cycle analyses have been conducted and the results indicate that rGO-KF aerogel is economically viable with a potential GPM greater than 36,27%, and environmentally beneficial as it can potentially decrease product carbon emissions by 32.8 tons/ton recovered oil.