PEREIRA, K. R. O.; http://lattes.cnpq.br/8520516535328670; PEREIRA, Kleberson Ricardo de Oliveira.
Abstract:
Worldwide, smectitic clays, industrially also known as bentonites, find
several different industrial uses, being the largest group in terms of use and the
most interesting group of clays minerals. However, it is necessary to submit
them to chemical treatments to develop their real potentialities. The activation of
bentonites with the use of strong inorganic acids consists of processes to
increase its adsorbent capacity, with the purpose of clarifying vegetable, animal,
and mineral oils. Polluted areas by organic pollutants are of great concern. To
remedy those areas, several types of sorvent materials have been studied.
Among them, organoclays obtained from smectitic clays and quaternary
ammonium salts, containing at least a 12-carbon chain between their layers,
represent a featured promissing material. The tested smectite clay occurs in the
city of Boa Vista, Paraiba State, Northeastern Brazil. This work was carried out
in two steps: in the first part, a chemical treatment was performed with
hydrochloric and sulfuric acids (6M), targeting the use of the clay in oil
decolorization. The purpose of the second part was to test them as hidrocarbon
sorvents. The obtained materials were characterized by X-ray diffraction,
infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron miscroscopy. The results indicate
that the acid activation, under the tested conditions, demonstrated efficient in
the decolorization of soy bean oil, and showed capability for the adsorption of
petroleum derived hidrocarbons.
