Removal of oil pollution in water by using waste styrofoam, tea fiber and polystyrene sorbents

In this study about the adsorbent materials used frequently to removing oil from water; the capacities of adsorbing Adıyaman and Kirkuk oils of granular styrofoam, tea fibers and polystyrene foam waste that are selected as adsorbents in water and in salty water have been identified through short and long duration tests within the framework of the ASTMF726-06 method, and the surface areas have been identified according to the BET method. The surface areas have been identified as; 461.31 m2/g for the styrofoam, 472.75 m2/g for the tea fibers and 576.87 m2/g for the polystyrene foam. The results of the short-time tests carried out for determining the capacities for specific absorption of Adıyaman and Kirkuk oils in 200 ml water by 0.4, 0.6, 0.8 and 1 g adsorbents are respectively as follows; Adıyaman oil adsorbed by styrofoam 5.94; 5.87; 4.38 and 3.15, tea fiber 12.20; 10.12; 9.84 and 9.62, polystyrene foam 33.01; 27.59; 26.05 and 24.92 g adsorbed oil/g adsorbent, Kirkuk oil adsorbed by styrofoam 4.59; 3.44; 3.35 and 3.17, tea fibers 11.76; 11.10; 10.44 and 9.80, polystyrene foam 31.50; 24.64; 23.42 and 23.21 g adsorbed oil/g adsorbent. In consequence of the tests, it is observed that each of the adsorbents provided maximum specific absorbing capacity in 0.4 g. The results of the long-time tests carried out using such amount, the specific absorbing capacities of the adsorbents on Adıyaman and Kirkuk oils are found to be respectively; styrofoam 8.06 and 5.32, tea fibers 15.63 and 13.16, polystyrene foam 41.46 and 39.01 g adsorbed oil/g adsorbent. The tests have been re-performed for determining the specific absorption capacities of 0.4 g adsorbents on Adıyaman and Kirkuk oils in 200 ml salty water. The results of the short-time tests were found to be respectively; styrofoam 5.01 and 3.23, tea fibers 11.17 and 10.18, polystyrene foam 29.74 and 26.73, and the results of the long-time tests were respectively; styrofoam 6.94 and 4.40, tea fibers 12.07 and 11.54, polystyrene foam 35.21 and 32.27 g adsorbed oil/g adsorbent. In consequence of the studies carried out according to the short-time and long-time test methods, the polystyrene foam having the largest surface area is found to have the highest specific absorbing capacity when compared with tea fiber and styrofoam. Key Words : Oil pollution, adsorption, adsorbents, absorption, styrofoam, tea fiber, polystyrene foam