In 2010, the explosion of the Deepwater Horizon oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico resulted in one of the largest environmental disasters in history, with approximately 800 million liters of oil released into the ocean. The difficulty in removing oil from water has been a significant challenge in the aftermath of such incidents. While chemical dispersants have been used to break up oil slicks, they can contain toxic chemicals that are harmful to marine ecosystems. However, researchers at the Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) have developed a new method for removing oil from water using magnets.
The FAU researchers have created iron oxide particles that attract oil, diesel, and other hydrocarbons. By coating the naturally magnetic iron oxide with an acid that attracts oily substances, the researchers were able to create a material that can remove oil from water. The team used computer simulations to determine the optimal shape for the iron oxide particles to attract different types of oil. In experiments, the coated iron oxide particles successfully removed oil from water, with the volume of oil molecules attached to the particles being 14 times larger than the particles themselves.
The researchers have tested their method with both seawater and freshwater at different temperatures and are now working with companies to produce the oil-attracting iron oxide particles on an industrial scale. If successful, this method could be used to remove oil from water in the event of future oil spills, providing a more environmentally friendly and effective solution than current methods.
In conclusion, the FAU researchers have developed a new method for removing oil from water using iron oxide particles coated with an acid that attracts oily substances. This method could provide a more effective and environmentally friendly solution for removing oil from water in the event of future oil spills. The researchers are currently working to produce the iron oxide particles on an industrial scale.
