The Evaluation of Kenaf an Oil Sorbent Catherine E. Goforth Research has determined that kenaf plant fines, milled fines, and milled core have exceptional absorption properties. For this reason, kenaf may possibly be used as oil sorbents in industrial socks, pillows, booms, or floor sweeps. Researchers at the Milsaps Sorbent and Environmental Laboratory in Jackson, Mississippi, compared the absorption performances of kitty litter, peat moss, and various types of polypropylene fabrics to kenaf materials. To determine the levelof sorbency, these materials were tested in diesel fuel, lightÐweight crude petroleum, and heavyÐ duty crude petroleum. The results indicate that the most efficient kenaf materials are the kenaf plant fines, which are essentially the particles from the separation process, and milled fines, which are the core that has been hammermilled. The two polypropylene fabrics used in this study had the highest sorption rates of the materials tested. However, in the light crude test, the sorbency of the kenaf plant fines (11.98 g) was greater than the poorer polypropylene fabric (9.81 g) and is within the same range as the better polypropylene fabric (16.61 g). This is an important discovery since polypropylene has become a standard in industriasituations. The kenaf plant fines performed better than all other kenaf materials in the diesel, light crude, and heavy crude tests (Tables 1, 2, and 3). Both the kenaf plant fines and milled fines performed better than peat moss and kitty litter in all tests. The greatest difference was found in the light crude test (Table 2). Kenaf plant fines consist of pores that not only sorb oil but also prevent the oil from leaking after absorption. This property will be very important to industries because of great concerns regarding waste minimization in industrial settings. Milled core kenaf was compared to extruded kenaf. The milled core was determined to perform better than extruded kenaf in all three tests (Tables 1, 2, and 3). Extruded kenaf does not sorb as well as other kenaf materials because of reduced porosity. The extrusion process compacts the pores; therefore, the pores are unable to sorb oil easily. The results of the study conclude that kenaf plant fines and kenaf milled fines are excellent sorbent materials, both of which are comparable to sorbent materials that are currently used in industrial settings. Also, milled core is very comparable to currently used floor sweep products. Kenaf shows definite potential for use in socks, booms, and pillows because of its absorption and retention properties. These properties will be beneficial in helping to manage the handling of industrial waste. Reference Millsaps Sorbent and Environmental Laboratory. Research Report: Kenaf Project, Mississippi State University. December 30, 1992
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