Eco-friendly separation layers based on waste peanut shell for gravity-driven water-in-oil emulsion separation. (10th May 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhao, Bowu; Ren, Luyao; Du, Yaobang; Wang, Jianyou
• Is Part Of: Journal of cleaner production. Volume 255(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-05-10
• Subjects: Peanut shells -- Oil/water separation -- Emulsion -- Underwater superoleophobicity; Factory and trade waste -- Management -- Periodicals; Manufactures -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Déchets industriels -- Gestion -- Périodiques; Usines -- Aspect de l'environnement -- Périodiques; 628.5
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.120184
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0959-6526

Abstract

Abstract: Developing a feasible and eco-friendly separation layer for the purification of emulsified oily wastewater is urgently needed and remains a great challenge. Herein, a biodegradable and superwettable separation layer was developed based on waste peanut shell via a facile method of mechanical grinding. The obtained peanut shell layer possessed a micronano structured surface with natural underwater superoleophobicity (Oil contact angle of 150 ± 5°) due to the mass transfer channels and hydrophilic substance of peanut shell. Under gravity, the layer separated immiscible oil/water mixtures exhibited a desirable flux rate (2636.9 L m −2 ∙h −1 ) and high separation efficiency (>99.5%) for disposing of a surfactant stabilized water-in-oil emulsion. Moreover, this layer maintained stable reusability after 55 cyclic operations. This successful creation of a peanut shell separation layer might provide new insights into the design of biomaterial separation layers for oily wastewater purification and resource utilization of agricultural residue. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: This innovation brings a new way on agricultural waste treatment. Waste peanut shells were used to fabricate separation layer for oily wastewater. The production processing is eco-friendly, costless and simple. The layer exhibits 99.5% emulsion separation efficiency and stable reusability.