The processing of kieselguhr sludge with obtaining a new end product as reserve for reducing resources consumption of vegetable oil manufacture

Abstract

Abstract The article presents the research findings of processing kieselguhr sludge – a waste product of refined sunflower oil production, generated at winterization stage, when vegetable waxes, waxlike substances and other components, which crystallize at low temperatures and cause the oil turbidity, are removed. The resulting waste product is a slow stock of organomineral composition with organic matter content 65-70%. This sludge is virtually not recycled, but dumped at municipal solid waste disposal sites. This results in the environment pollution and non-recoverable losses of high-quality mineral stock and valuable organic components. It has been determined that after thermal modification of sludge waste the organic substances in it are partially oxidized with the formation of carbon layer on the surface of diatomite particles. The resulting product is a thermally modified kieselguhr sludge, which is characterized with mesoporous structure, high water repellency, and oil-receptivity and can be used as an adsorption material for purifying wastewaters from emulsified petroleum products in dynamic conditions. The secondary use of kieselguhr sludge would allow reducing the amounts of waste accumulation and improving the efficiency of raw material resources utilization.