Project:
Assessment of locally available processed lignocellulosic biomass fibres for natural remediation of oil spillage including restoration of coastal/marine environment and reuse of the waste oil-contaminated biomass for energy production.
Overview:
Bio-based absorbent materials have recently been given focused attention for oil spill recovery application as cheap eco-friendly and effective resources compared to the use of non-biodegradable expensive oil-based synthetic polymers and less efficient mineral materials.
The overriding aim of this study is thus to assess the application of selected locally available lignocellulosic biomass fibres (Arundo Donax/Fatak compared to Sugarcane Agricultural Residues and bamboo) for absorption of oil and its contaminants in oil spilled areas/waters.
The potential application of such natural remediation technique would prospectively restore the marine environment and habitats in the oil spilled areas, while the waste oil-contaminated biomass can be suitably collected and reused for energy/electricity generation as a cheap economic means for its proper end-use disposal.
Following the MV Wakashio oil spill in Mauritius, a preliminary oil spill absorption test undertaken with Arundo Donax fibres (prepared biomass and bagged) at Vieux Grand Port (Figures 1-6) gave a promising empirical outcome of 3 kg oil sorption capacity per kg of biomass, while literature indicates that the oil sorption capacity can be as high as 5-6 kg/kg biomass with such fibres. This study is thus geared towards investigating and suitably preparing the biomass fibres (size, moisture and porous microstructures) including the biomass holding bags (or ‘pillows’) and determining the retention time in light-to-heavy contaminated oil areas for optimal oil sorption and its contaminants. The reuse of the waste biomass, enriched with the absorbed carbon from the oil, would be assessed for its energy/electricity generation potential as a simple and easy disposal cheap option at the end of the biomass lifetime.
Wakashio oil spill emergency intervention at Mauritius disaster site
Two years completed the validation research for the oil absorption solution and final report submitted to the MRIC in April 2023
Mauritius Innovative Research Council Award Ceremony in 2021
This project research was undertaken in collaboration with the University of Mauritius and the Mauritius Research Innovative Council.
The project initiative was supported by Alex Hunt, Technical Manager with ITOPF (www.itopf.org) and Pierre Fallavier of the UNDP.
View Laurent de Morelos profile here.