Adsorptive Removal of Asphaltene by Magnetic Fe3O4 Nanoparticles towards Cleanup of Oil Spills

Seawater and the oceans provide a main part of the world s food chain, thus the water pollution means harm to the earth. Marine environment occurs by oil spills from ships and offshore facilities of petroleum industries. Magnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticles were synthesized by a simple precipitation method and characterized by BET, XRD, and FESEM. Asphaltene was extracted from an oil sample following the IP-143 standard. The asphaltene molecular structure and functional groups were characterized by XRD, FTIR, and potentiometric titration. 3000 mg/L of the asphaltene were added to a solution of 30/70 toluene/gasoil weight ratio, and designated as the model oil. The oil spill was produced by adding the model oil to the same volume of seawater. Then, the nanoparticles were sprinkled on the oil spill at the weight ratios of 3, 5, and 7 of the nanoparticles to the asphaltene. After 24 h of contact time, the two-phase system was subjected to a magnetic field and the deposited solids were collected. The nanoparticles exhibit a high affinity for the asphaltene adsorption. The adsorption capacity of the nanoparticles by increasing their weight ratio from 3 to 7. Finally, the ferromagnetic properties of the nanoparticles remain intact upon adsorption of the asphaltene.

Adsorptive Removal of Asphaltene by Magnetic Fe3O4 Nanoparticles towards Cleanup of Oil Spills Keywords:

Asphaltene , Oil spill , Adsorption , Nanotechnology , Environmental concerns