Nanocomposites based on ionene-bentonite used to treat oily water

摘要

A large number of processes are used to treat the oily water (oil emulsions in water) produced in the petroleum industry. The treatment strategy depends not only on the strictness of the environmental requirements in the jurisdiction where the water is discharged, but also on the relative treatment cost. The present study reports tests to assess the effectiveness of removing oil from oily water by adsorption in polymer nanocomposites. These composites were prepared from ionenes (cationic polyelectrolytes) and sodium bentonite or organophilic bentonite. They were characterized by infrared spectrometry, thermogravimetry, X-ray fluorescence, and X-ray diffraction. The oil-removal effectiveness was evaluated by mixing nanocomposites and oily water in a shaker bath (batch test). In the tests conducted only with treated sodium bentonite and organophilic bentonite, the oil removal was ～ 70%, whereas the use of polymer nanocomposites raised the adsorption of oil to ～ 90%. These values depended on the mass of material, concentration of oil in the contaminated water, and the contact time.