Design and development of a textile-based structure made from discarded polyester textured yarns for oil-water separation

Abstract

The study develops a textile-based sorbent from discarded polyester textured yarn waste to tackle oil spill environmental impacts. Repurposing waste yarn from processing mills yields an eco-friendly solution. To ensure structural integrity, the polyester textured yarns are used as filling material within a polypropylene (PP) leno mesh, known for its durability, lightweight nature, flexibility, and affordability. The filling yarns undergo Dimethicone treatment to filling yarns to enhance their hydrophobic properties, resulting in an overall increase in oil sorption capacity from 59% (untreated) to 77% (treated). Trial sample testing was conducted using motor oil to determine the impact of various parameters and the effectiveness of the final prototype sorbent is evaluated through tests on oil sorption capacity, oil-water selectivity, and reusability. The treated prototype sorbent exhibits impressive oil sorption capabilities, with the ability to adsorb approximately 23 times of its own weight in an oil-water bath. The oil sorbent is recommended for usage in oil spills occurring in inland waterways with calm flow rates. This research showcases the potential of utilizing waste materials for effective oil spill cleanup.