Abstract

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A novel structured sorbent blend pillow was developed using acetylated jute and coir fibres blendedwithnatural kapok fibres. The acetylation of the jute and coir portion was carried out with acetic anhydrideusing N-Bromosuccinimide as catalyst under mild condition in a solvent free system. The results showsthatthe acetylation increases the oil sorption capacity of the blend sorbent to 1.5 times higher withacleaningef iciency of about 90% when compared with synthetic sorbent polypropylene fibre as a control sample. Onthe other hand, the total replacement of polypropylene portion of the blend with natural unmodifiedkapokfibres increases the oil sorption capacities of the blend 10 times higher in the first cycle withcleaningef iciency of 95%. Therefore, jute, coir, and kapok fibres that are abundant as wastes are good for useasoilsorbent-active materials regardless of whether they are modified or unmodified to enhancetheiroleopholicity. Hence, can be used to substitute non-biodegradable materials in oil spill clean-up exercise

Keywords: crude oil spill, clean-up, coir fibre, jute fibre, kapok fibre.