Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

What makes an oil sorbent work well?

Hi,

Have a look at this project idea on oil sorbets and check out the Bibliography links:

https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... p025.shtml

This paper dsicusses the issue:

http://www.bioline.org.br/request?st08027

http://books.google.com/books?id=6VqT6E ... &q&f=false

http://www.epa.gov/osweroe1/docs/oil/nc ... inalV6.pdf

Read from page 146 on in this document to see the US Enviromental Protection Agencies ideas on your question:

http://www.epa.gov/wastes/conserve/tool ... ackgr1.pdf

Also note this quote from the EPA:

“In addition, the American Society for Testing and Materials has test methods for both absorbents and adsorbents used to remove oils and other compatible fluids from water. These are Standard Method of Testing Sorbent Performance of Absorbents (F 716-82) and Standard Method of Testing Sorbent Performance of Adsorbents (F 716-81). Neither mention any exceptions or differences for testing of sorbents made from recovered materials.”


Generally the answers I have found say a good sorbent:

1. Will absorb lots of oil, but little water.

2. Will float on water.

3. Is asy to spread on the spill and easy to recover after soaking up the oil.

4. Is cheap to procure and dispose of in an environmentally friendly way.

5. Preferably is made of waste or recycled materials.

I hope this helps answer your question.

Best regards,

Barrett L Tomlinson

An oil sorbent removes oil or other hydro-carbon substances from a watery surface. They work because they can absorb the oil and at the same time repel water. This allows them to float even when they are fully saturated because oil is lighter than water.

Do you know what experiment you want to research? Or did you have a more detailed focus question that you needed help answering?

Thank you so much!