Characterization of Cereus Jamacaru De Candolle and performance evaluation of sorption of Diesel Oil
Mandacaru, Sorption of oil, Biosorbent.
The spill and leakage of oil and byproducts in water and soil, has been a challenge for Brazil and for the world, due to the high toxicity and mobility of hydrocarbons. One of the most efficient techniques to contain this type of contamination is the use of a sorption method. Synthetic sorbents are the most used in oil spill, due to its great oleophilic and hydrophobic properties. However, biosorbents have been excelling as alternative method to remove organic contaminants since they are biodegradable, which results in low cost, high availability and a good natural sorbent ability. The aim of this work was to characterize the Madacaru (Cereu jamacaru De Candolle) and investigate its sorption capacity in fluids such as S-10 diesel out of biodiesel. The biomass was characterized using analysis FTIR, TG/DTG, DSC, SEM, CHNO, and immediate analysis: contents of moisture, volatile, ash and fixed carbon. The tests were conducted on sorption size ranges of 500 µm > 500-150 µm > 75-63 µm. The sorption capacity increased between 138 and 183%, with the decrease in granulometry. The granulometry range showed an oil average sorption potential of 97%, in just 5 minutes, showing potential for use as an oil sorbent in emergencies. Comparing the Mandacaru with commercial peat-based sorbent, the Mandacaru presented a sorption capacity 26% greater, for application in dry systems, presenting a great potential as a sorbent material.