Optimization of Process Parameters for the Treatment of Crude Oil Spill Polluting Water Surface by Sorption Technique Using Fatty Acid Grafted Ogbono Shell as a Sorbent

This work focuses on the optimization of the adsorption technique using fatty acid grafted ogbono shell for the removal oil from polluted water surface. The shell was carbonized at a temperature of 600oC for 4h and then further modified with stearic acid. The surface morphology of raw and grafted ogbono shell was studied by Scanning Electron microscope (SEM) while functional groups were investigated by Fourier Transform Infra-red Spectroscopy (FTIR). Proximate analysis was carried out to determine the surface area of the agro wastes before and after modification. The process parameters were optimized using response surface methodology. Physiochemical characterization of the adsorbents showed that surface area increased significantly after carbonization and modification. SEM and FTIR results revealed that more micro porous surfaces were created on the surface of the adsorbent after modification. The theoretical optimum conditions for oil spill treatment include 10 min time, 60oC temperature, 1.4 g dosage and pH 3 with removal percentage of 78.77% and the actual percentage in good agreement of 76.40%.