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Removing oils FROM WATER with organoclays
Author(s) -
Alther George R.
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
journal ‐ american water works association
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.466
H-Index - 74
eISSN - 1551-8833
pISSN - 0003-150X
DOI - 10.1002/j.1551-8833.2002.tb09512.x
Subject(s) - adsorption , pulp and paper industry , chemistry , activated carbon , bentonite , mineral oil , cationic polymerization , waste management , environmental science , chemical engineering , organic chemistry , engineering
Organically modified clays have long been used by industry to remove oil from water. A study was undertaken to verify results from real‐world applications and develop a better understanding of the chemical conditions under which organoclays are most effective. Systematic testing was conducted on some 50 oils, including mineral oils, vegetable oils, animal fats, fish oils, and synthetic oils. In addition, the adsorption capacity of activated carbon was tested in order to compare the effectiveness of the two media. Tests also investigated the removal capacity of organoclays for various surfactants as well as the influence such surfactants exert on the removal efficiency of the organoclays. Results showed organoclays are more effective than activated carbon in removing oil from water and cationic organoclays are superior to nonionic organoclays for some removal applications.