Qualitative performance evaluation of Tri-Block SBS and SEBS Copolymers in Removal of Oil Spill

Solidifiers as combating tools to oil spill can be applied on both land and water without any toxic or leaching effects. In order to investigate effectiveness of block-copolymers, styrene-butadiene-styrene and styreneethylenebutylenestyrene on Iranian exported crude oil, five samples with API’s in the range of 1936 were selected. The results from this work were compared with two those of commercial solidifiers, Alsocup andPetro-Waste-Solidifier, which are confirmed by EPA (Environmental Protection Agency). At first, some factors like particle size, addition time, separation means and oil-water mixing system were optimized. Then, the effectiveness of two selected polymers and commercial samples on oil samples were studied. The results showed that the consumption amounts of these copolymers for solidifying tested crude oils were 25-33%, which is lower than that of commercial solidifiers (nearly 55%).