Biocompatible and Biodegradable Surfactants from Orange Peel for Oil Spill Remediation

Abstract

Oil spill remediation plays a vital role in mitigating the environmental impacts caused by oil spills. The chemical method is one of the widely recognized approaches in chemical surfactants. However, the most commonly used chemical surfactants are toxic and non-biodegradable. Herein, two biocompatible and biodegradable surfactants were synthesized from orange peel using the ionic liquid 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride (BMIMCl) and organic solvent dimethylacetamide (CH3CN(CH3)2) as reaction media. The acronyms SOPIL and SOPOS refer to the surfactants prepared with BMIMCl and dimethylacetamide, respectively. The surface tension, dispersant effectiveness, optical microscopy, and emulsion stability test were conducted to examine the comparative performance of the synthesized surfactants. The Baffled flask test (BFT) was carried out to determine the dispersion effectiveness. The toxicity test was performed against zebrafish (Danio rerio), whereas the closed bottle test (CBT) evaluated biodegradability. The results revealed that the critical micelle concentration (CMC) value of SOPIL was lower (8.57 mg/L) than that of SOPOS (9.42 mg/L). The dispersion effectiveness values for SOPIL and SOPOS were 69.78% and 40.30%, respectively. The acute toxicity test demonstrated that SOPIL was ‘practically non-toxic’ with a median lethal concentration of more than 1000 mg/L after 96 h. The biodegradation rate was recorded as higher than 60% for both surfactants within 28 days, demonstrating their readily biodegradable nature. Considering these attributes, biocompatible and biodegradable surfactants derived from orange peel emerge as a promising and sustainable alternative for oil spill remediation.

Formulation and Optimization of Effective Oil Spill Dispersants Composed of Surface-Active Ionic Liquids and Nonionic Surfactants

“…Similar results were found in the previous research, indicating that the micellar mechanism and dispersion efficacy were improved by the synergistic impact of various surfactant agents (such as cationic, nonionic, anionic, and ionic liquids-based surfactants) . The published research also confirmed this; developed dispersants with reduced CMC produced more extraordinary oil spill dispersant performance. , …”

“…27 The published research also confirmed this; developed dispersants with reduced CMC produced more extraordinary oil spill dispersant performance. 3,15 3.2. Dispersion Effectiveness of the Selected Formulation.…”

“…Dispersion effectiveness is defined as the ratio of dispersed oil in simulated seawater to the total oil introduced into the system. Equation was used to determine the dispersion effectiveness normalEffectiveness false( % false) = normalTotal 0.25em oil 0.25em normaldispersed ρ oil V oil ρ oil = density of crude oil in (g/L); V oil = Volume of crude oil (100 μL = 10 –4 L).…”

“…Equation 1 was used to determine the dispersion effectiveness. 3 ρ oil = density of crude oil in (g/L); V oil = Volume of crude oil (100 μL = 10 –4 L).…”

Evaluating Factors Impacting Polymer Flooding in Hydrocarbon Reservoirs: Laboratory and Field-Scale Applications

“…Water-soluble polymers used in polymer flooding are, by themselves, anionic surfactants [ 71 , 72 ]. The propagation of surfactants in the reservoir reduces the surface tension [ 71 , 72 , 73 , 74 , 75 , 76 ]. If the polymer solution contains more surfactant additives, the resulting complex of polymer molecules and surfactants has a molecular weight greater than the molecular weight of the polymer and, therefore, a higher-viscosity polymer solution.…”