1
Chemistry & Petrochemical Division, Research Institute of Petroleum Industry, Teheran, Iran
2
Polymer Science & Technology Division, Research Institute of Petroleum Industry, Teheran, Iran
Abstract
Recycled polypropylene (PP) fiber and waste tire powder have been used to remove spilled oil. The ASTM F726-99 method has been used to evaluate oil absorbing capability of PP fiber and it has been found that the fiber has a large rapid oil absorption capacity. The oil adsorption capacity of the fiber was dramatically reduced after a limited number of uses because of its poor elasticity. Tire powder which absorbs less oil more slowly, is more elastic than PP fiber and is capable to be used up to 100 times for oil absorption without losing its oil absorption capability. In this research, PP fiber and tire powder were mixed together to develop a composite material. It was found that the composite is capable of recovering great amounts of oil comparing to the any of its components. This composite can be used repeatedly for at least 100 times. Hence, the material cost for recovering 1 ton of spilled oil is about US $ 0.03, making it very competitive in comparison to other industrial oil absorbents on the market.
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