Magnetic and hydrophobic sorbent based on glauconite for the removal of oil slick from the water surface

This work is devoted to the development of a method of obtaining a sorbent for cleaning water surfaces of oil films using a sorbent based on natural glauconite modified with a ferromagnetic component and hydrophobisator. The optimum content of modifying agents as well as the modes of thermal activation which provide high buoyancy to the sorbent, and the maximum degree of oil extraction from the surface of seawater have been established. The influence of modification on the structure and properties of glauconite is shown. The principle of action of a hydrophobic sorbent with magnetic properties on the example of interaction with oil is described. A series of methods was used: X-ray diffraction, X-ray fluorescence method, thermal analysis, scanning electron microscope and determination of specific surface area by nitrogen adsorption. It is shown that the glauconite under study is represented by globular alluminosilicates of illite/glauconite-smectite composition with increased iron content, which is characteristic of "immature" glauconites. The maximum rate of petroleum and engine oil absorption by the sorbent, which is observed due to hydrophobic interactions, was recorded during the first 5 min. It was found that the best sorption properties in relation to petroleum and engine oil are possessed by thermally activated glauconite sorbent with the addition of 5% Fe2O3 and 5% stearic acid. The obtained results indicate high buoyancy and efficiency of the obtained sorbent, which confirms the prospect of using modified glauconite for water purification from oil products.