Processing of Latvian peat and waste coffee as a biocomposite material for the oil spill collection
¹Riga Technical University, Faculty of Materials Science and Applied Chemistry, Institute of General Chemical Engineering, Rudolfs Cimdins Riga Biomaterials Innovations and Development Centre, Pulka street 3, LV-1007 Riga, Latvia
²Institute of Agricultural Resources and Economics, Stende Research Centre, LV-3258, Dizstende, Latvia
³Riga Technical University, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Scientific Laboratory of Powder Materials and Institute of Aeronautics, Kipsalas street 6B, LV-1048 Riga, Latvia
⁴Riga Technical University, Institute of General Chemical Engineering, Riga Technical University, 3/7 Paula Valdena street, LV-1048 Riga, Latvia
*Correspondence: kristine.irtiseva@rtu.lv
Abstract:
There is a growing interest in adsorbents of natural origin that are renewable, effective, and able to treat water contaminated by oil products. The current paper investigates a novel bio-based ‘peat – spent coffee grounds’ SCG-HP bio-based composite pellets as a perspective adsorbent for spilt oil products. The preparation and characterisation of SCG-HP bio-based composite material in pellet form is described. This research used homogenised peat (HP) as an efficient, natural binder. The SCG in different proportions (from 12 wt% to 50 wt%) with HP were used for the different types of SCG-HP granulated sorbents. The granule size obtained ranged from 2 to 6 mm with a total porosity of 56–61%. The sorption of the test oil (fresh engine oil Pilot 10W-40 SJ/CF) was investigated. Sorption studies showed maximum adsorption (capacity) from 90 to 125 wt% for SCG-HP granules.
Key words:
adsorption, oil spill, peat bio-based composite, spent coffee grounds, sustainable production, waste recycling