Development of organobentonite based on bentonite clay for the purpose of disposing of oil spills on water bodies

Abstract

Abstract Today, oil spill response is an urgent problem for oil-producing countries. This paper researches the elimination of oil pollution using organomineral sorbents. The authors present a scheme for obtaining sorbents based on natural bentonite clays by modifying with a quaternary ammonium salt. Two variants of modification of natural bentonites have been studied: with preliminary Na2CO3 treatment to convert the main component of bentonite into the sodium form and without preliminary treatment. The obtained organobentonites have high sorption and hydrophilic properties. The sorbent obtained from natural bentonite with preliminary treatment with Na2CO3 has better properties in comparison with the sorbent without preliminary treatment. The authors also demonstrated the ability of the obtained organobentonites for oil sorption. Organobentonites upon contact with oil films on the water surface form dense agglomerates that can be easily removed mechanically.