Adsorption of oil from water using sugarcane bagasse: an analysis using response surface methodology

Oil and grease are common industrial pollutants, but most treatments for oil pollution are expensive, heavy in carbon footprint, and inaccessible to most. This study investigates the potential of sugarcane bagasse (SCB) as a cost-effective adsorbent for mitigating oil pollution in oil-in-water emulsions. Focusing on sunflower oil, a prominent constituent in kitchen wastewater, this research explores SCB’s efficacy in oil removal. With readily available materials and chemicals, the proposed method holds promise for replication in small-scale industries. Employing Box–Behnken and response surface methodology, the experiments performed were between temperatures of 30–60 ℃, agitation speeds of 150–210 rpm, with contact times between 5 and 60 min, adsorbent dosages of 0.006–0.036 g, and initial oil concentrations of 0.2–1%. The optimal operational parameters were identified, resulting in a noteworthy oil removal efficiency of 74.415% under specified conditions of 59.9 ℃, 9 min, 180 rpm, 0.012 g of SCB, and 0.2% initial oil concentration, underscoring the effectiveness of the adsorbent at minimal cost inputs. Further, characterization techniques such as scanning electron microscopy and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy were employed to highlight the structural and functional features that enable optimal adsorption. Future research can explore various types of oil and contribute to advancing a circular economy.