Effect of temperature on the treatment of water polluted with crude oil using bioadsorbent in a packed bed reactor

John Izundu Dike and Chukwuemeka Peter Ukpaka

Abstract

The bioadsorbent performance, in terms of fluid penetration and diffusion (residence time), is influenced by the operating temperature, a critical factor in the adsorption process. The study identified the optimal temperature for contaminant removal using the bioadsorbent as 45 °C, with a 1:1:1 mixture of particles sized at 50 µm, 150 µm, and 200 µm. Analysis of bioadsorbent samples dried under different conditions revealed variations in element concentrations. Sun-dried plantain fiber bioadsorbent exhibited higher levels of calcium (Ca), oxygen (O), carbon (C), and sulfur (S), whereas room-dried samples had elevated concentrations of magnesium (Mg), silicon (Si), iron (Fe), potassium (K), and sodium (Na). Banana fiber samples showed varying element concentrations, with sun-dried samples dominated by C, O, K, and Na, and room-dried samples containing higher levels of O, Fe, S, Si, Ca, and Mg. Palm kernel fiber samples also displayed variable element compositions. The study emphasized the significance of operating temperature in optimizing the bioadsorbent effectiveness for contaminant removal, reducing toxic substances in contaminated water. Microbial analysis of HUB concentration in each biounit revealed significant differences at various temperature levels. Notably, room-dried plantain fiber outperformed other bioadsorbent in the packed bed units. In conclusion, the study highlights the importance of temperature control in enhancing bioadsorbent performance and demonstrates the impact of drying conditions and fiber type on element concentrations. Room-dried plantain fiber exhibited the best results among the tested bioadsorbent.