Booth Id:
ENEV070
Category:
Environmental Engineering
Year:
2023
Finalist Names:
Ghosh, Ahona (School: Little Rock Central High School)
Abstract:
Due to humans' heavy, global dependence on petroleum as an energy source and material,
oil extraction and processing efforts happen in many environments and involve mass
transportation across land and sea. The possibility and reality of environmentally devastating oil
spills occurring in oil production is a stark reality that requires effective solutions to avoid
further harmful impacts on the environment, animals, and humans. To remediate this need, we
developed a 3-dimensional, inexpensive, multi-use polymer sponge that can selectively remove
the spilled oil from water in large volumes. Using a soaking and drying process involving salt,
chloroform, and a polyurethane polymer, we developed a porous polymer sponge structure that is
hydrophobic but oleophilic. The polymer sponge was characterized using several techniques,
such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The mercury intrusion analyses were used to
determine the porous structures of the polymer and the surface area. The contact angles of water
and oil droplets were measured to understand the hydrophobic and oleophilic behaviors of the
sponge. The polymer sponge showed excellent properties for absorbing different oils rapidly
from water 7-8 times their weight and can be recycled multiple times without losing its activities.
Similarly, we tested various hazardous chemicals (e.g., benzene and toluene), and the polymer
sponge showed excellent absorbing capacities. Therefore, this sponge can also clean up
hazardous organic chemicals. This product can be a perfect choice for tackling large-scale oil or
chemical spill removal by allowing us only to collect the oil or chemical and not interfering with
the water.