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Decontamination of oil-contaminated sand using anionic–nonionic mixed surfactant-based microemulsion formation: the study of surfactant and oil balances

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Abstract

The surfactant-based microemulsion technique enhances oil-contaminated soil remediation with high removal performance. With the presence of soil in the surfactant–oil–water (SOW) system, surfactants are the key success for this technology due to their activity. This study aimed to investigate the oil removal efficiency of different surfactant mixtures and determine surfactants’ and oil’s material balances in the soil flushing process. The mixed surfactant systems of SDHS-C12-14Ej (j = ethylene oxide group; 1, 5, 9) and SDHS-C16-18E6P4 mixtures were formulated, and a commercial diesel was selected as a model oil. The soil flushing experiment was conducted through the sand pack column with a 0.5 ml/min flow rate at room temperature. It was found that the SDHS-C12-14E1 system (9:1 ratio, 8%wt/v NaCl, Winsor Type III) showed the highest removal efficiency. The intermediate structure (i.e., ethylene oxide: EO) in the SDHS and C12-14Ej is an influent parameter in the surfactant selection for soil remediation. The less EO group in the surfactants, the better sand was decontaminated. The microemulsion types (i.e., I, II, and III) also affected the soil washing/flushing performance. Winsor Type III had the highest oil removal efficiency, followed by Winsor Type I, and II microemulsions. For mass balance in mixed surfactant systems, > 50% of SDHS, an anionic surfactant, remained in the aqueous effluent, while most of C12-14Ej and C16-18E6P4, a nonionic surfactant, solubilized in the oil phase and significantly adsorbed onto the sand.

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Data availability

All experimental results and data analysis are available from the corresponding authors.

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Acknowledgements

The authors thank Hazardous Substance Management and Department of Environmental Engineering, Chulalongkorn University, Thailand, for the support of financing and experimental equipment.

Funding

This work was funded by Chulalongkorn University.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Environmental Engineering, Chulalongkorn University, Phayathai Road, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand

    V. Kittithammavong & S. Khaodhiar

  2. Department of Civil Engineering, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok-Nakornsawan Road, Phitsanulok, 65000, Thailand

    V. Kittithammavong

  3. The Petroleum and Petrochemical College, Chulalongkorn University, Phayathai Road, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand

    A. Charoensaeng

  4. Center of Excellence On Hazardous Substance Management, Chulalongkorn University, Phayathai Road, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand

    S. Khaodhiar

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  1. V. Kittithammavong
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All authors contributed the idea and concept for this study. The laboratory work, data processing, and first draft manuscript were performed by VK. Revision and editing were performed by AC and SK to approve the final version.

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Correspondence to V. Kittithammavong.

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Kittithammavong, V., Charoensaeng, A. & Khaodhiar, S. Decontamination of oil-contaminated sand using anionic–nonionic mixed surfactant-based microemulsion formation: the study of surfactant and oil balances. Int. J. Environ. Sci. Technol. 21, 5395–5410 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13762-023-05372-z

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