Oil spill sorption using carbonized pith bagasse: 1. Preparation and characterization of carbonized pith bagasse

Treatment of oil spills remains a challenge to environmental scientists and technologists. Among all the existing techniques used for oil treatment, sorption is a popular technique because it is cheap, simple and effective. Among the various sorbents used pith bagasse appears to be the most attractive material in terms of cost, versatility and abundance. In the present work, the efficiency of surface modification of pith bagasse by carbonization is demonstrated. Pith bagasse was carbonized in a stainless steel tube for different temperatures ranging from 200 to 600 °C and for different heating periods from 1 to 3 h. The carbonized pith bagasse was tested using gas oil; 1- and 7-day weathered heavy Arabian crude oil. It was found that carbonization of pith bagasse improves the oleophilic and hydrophobic properties. The best carbonization conditions were established at 300 °C for 2 h.