PERFORMANCE OF NATURAL SODIUM CLAY TREATED WITH AMMONIUM SALT IN THE SEPARATION OF EMULSIFIED OIL IN WATER

Abstract

This study aims to characterize and evaluate the use of adsorbent (organoclay) in the process of separation of oil in water emulsion. One goal of this work is to prepare and characterize untreated sodium clay (BSN-03) from Argentina and treated BSN-03. The method used to prepare the organoclay replaces the cations (Na+) interlayer of the clay by a quaternary ammonia cation. Tests used X-ray diffraction to observe the obtaining of organoclays. The spectrum showed that the distance of the basal clay BSN-03 was modified, indicating that the quaternary ammonium salt was intercalated. Infrared data show that the ammonium salt was incorporated into the clay structure, thereby confirming organophilization. After the preparation and characterization of the organoclay, oil removal capacity (qeq) and the percentage of oil removal (%Rem) of the adsorbent (BSN-03) was observed through a finite bath system. Finite bath tests determined the rate and capacity of oil removal by the treated clay. Up to 49.50 mg/g of oil removal capacity (98.99 % efficiency) was reached, indicating that the clay treated with CTAC is an excellent alternative in the process of oil removal.