Modification and Characterization of Oclansorb® for Oil Spill Cleanup

从钻井平台、车辆、船只和管道泄漏的石油会污染生态系统和水污染，造成广泛的环境和经济影响。利用吸附剂清除油污被认为是最经济有效的技术之一。Oclansorb®是一种由Hi-Point Industries Ltd （HPIL）从泥炭中提取的全天然无毒吸附剂，能够吸收数倍于自身重量的油。然而，目前市场上有更多的生物质吸附剂；Oclansorb®面临着前所未有的竞争。因此，需要一种具有更高吸附能力和效率的改进产品，以保持在全球市场上的竞争力。该项目旨在通过优化制备条件对Oclansorb®进行改性，并表征改进后产品的关键物理和化学性质。本研究将采用实验设计（DOE）来获得泥炭的最佳热处理条件。通过间歇式吸油试验，结合BET、TGA、SEM和接触角测试对吸油剂的结构和润湿性能进行表征，研究吸油剂的结构、表面性质和形貌对吸油能力和清油效率的影响。本研究旨在通过系统优化制备条件，为开发具有成本效益的生物质基吸附剂提供直接指导。本研究的新颖之处在于确定了吸着剂的结构和表面润湿性对吸着剂清理溢油性能的整体影响。拟议研究的重要发现将直接纳入Oclansorb®的生产中。该研究将有助于HPIL提高Oclansorb®的市场竞争力，并促进总销售额和收入增长。同时，本研究将对开发成本效益高、环境友好的溢油清理方法产生重要影响。

Oil spills from drilling rigs, vehicle, vessels and pipelines can pollute ecosystems and contaminate water, causing extensive environmental and economic impacts. Oil cleanup by sorbent materials is considered as one of the most cost-effective technologies. Oclansorb®, an all-natural nontoxic sorbent made from Sphagnum peat by Hi-Point Industries Ltd (HPIL), is capable of absorbing several times its own weight of oils. However, more biomass-based sorbents are currently available in the market; Oclansorb® is facing more competition than ever. An improved product with higher sorption capacity and efficiency is therefore demanded to remain competitive in the global market. The proposed project aims to modify Oclansorb® by optimizing the preparation conditions and to characterize the key physical and chemical properties for the improved product.Design of experiments (DOE) will be employed in the proposed research to obtain the optimal thermal treatment conditions of Sphagnum peat. Effects of sorbents' structure, surface property and morphology on oil sorption capacity and oil-cleanup efficiency will be investigated by combining batch sorption tests and characterization of sorbent structure and wetting properties by BET, TGA, SEM and contact angle measurement. The proposed research aims to provide direct guidance on the development of cost-effective biomass based sorbents through the systematic optimization of the preparation conditions. The novelty of the proposed research lies in the identification of the integral impact of sorbent structure and surface wetting property on sorbent performance for oil spill cleanup.The important findings of the proposed research will be incorporated into the production of Oclansorb® directly. The proposed research will help HPIL increase the market competitiveness of Oclansorb® and boost gross sales and revenue growth. Meanwhile, this study will generate significant influence on the development of cost-effective and environmentally friendly method for oil spill cleanup.