Modified Clay Filters for Purification of Petroleum Products Contaminated Water

Abstract

Some organic pollutants change the color, smell, and other characteristics of water leaving it undesirable for use. However, other organic pollutants do not change the physical properties of the water, yet, they make the water non-useful. This study was carried out to determine the characteristics of petroleum contaminated water and how it can be purified using economical filters for possible reuse in rural areas of the Niger Delta, of Nigeria. The filters were made from rice husk ash, and white clay, as main materials, while calcium carbonate and poly (propylene carbonate) were used as binders and pore former. The water samples were tested for conductivity, turbidity, pH, heavy metals, and total hydrocarbon contents. The results showed a significant decrease in the amount of petroleum/organic pollutants present in the water sample before purification. The filter candle made using poly (propylene carbonate) as a binder was found to be the most efficient in removing organic pollutants, but it was not very effective in the removal of heavy metals and also, the pH of the filtrate became more acidic. Filtrates from other filters, however, had pH in an acceptable range. Dodecanoic acid and hexadecanoic acid were found to be removed from the polluted water using the filters.