Optimization of adsorption conditions for the removal of petroleum compounds from marine environment using modified activated carbon fiber by response surface methodology

In this article, modified activated carbon fiber (ACF) adsorbing emulsified oil is proposed as an effective method to treat oil spill. At first, the ACF was modified by HNO3, and the adsorption was studied in batch mode. Then, single factor experiment and the response surface methodology were applied to optimize the adsorption condition. The optimum condition was found as: 0.43 g adsorbent dosage, 125 s adsorption time, and 4% salinity. The result indicates that: The carboxyl group of the modified ACF surface obviously increased; specific surface area, iodine adsorption, and methylene cyanine adsorption decreased. Under the optimal condition, the removal rate of diesel could be 87.75%. © 2016 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 35: 1400–1406, 2016